Sanditon Season 2: The River and the Man

Chapter 100

Lady Denham threw Clara from the house as her own heart troubled her.

"Get this vulture from my sight before she sees me dead before her very eyes." The faint woman said to Lord Babington as she collapsed in her chair.

Esther ran to her side but directed her remarks to Clara. "You vicious woman. What have you done to Charlotte?" she accused seeing through the ruse.

Clara stood dumbfounded as Sidney burst out of the room with his bag clenched in his hand as Lady Susan followed.

"Got to my London house first. I have a terrible feeling my cousin Warrick is involved in some way, but I know he would not intentionally harm Charlotte. Please refrain from injuring him until you know what has happened." Lady Susan stopped him on his way to the stables.

Sidney nodded and cursed. "I promise to hear him, but only long enough to find her." He replied as he set to saddling the horse himself. He had no time to wait for a carriage like he planned when it was only Georgiana missing. Warrick had at least an hour on him. Maybe more.

He just hoped Charlotte was with him.

As his horse's hooves pounded the gravel and dirt he did not see the state Lady Denham was in as he rode from sight. Esther and Lady Susan huddled around her and tried to convince her that all would be well.

"Her reputation will be ruined." Lady Denham lamented. "No matter." she sighed. "As long as she is well." the woman tried to rationalize. "I should never have let that creature in my house after all she did.

Lady Susan smiled. "As long as Charlotte's friends stay true to her and believe her innocence she will never be ruined."

Lady Denham nodded sadly. "Take me to my bed, for I may not leave it again if she is not returned well and unmolested."

Esther stepped back and let the footmen carry the frail woman up while seated on the chair.

Lord Babington had come back to the foyer as she was bring brought up.

"Back so soon from escorting Clara from Sanditon?" Esther asked her husband with a biting edge.

He shook his head. "No... Crowe met me as I was escorting her off the property. Seem's he found Charlotte's bonnet and gloves in her- er... I mean his room that he lent her the use of. He recognized them and heard the rumor that Charlotte had left." He looked grave as he handed them to his wife.

Esther took the effects in her own hand. "Well, I think this proves things. A lady would not forget such effects if she were leaving of her own accord," she said softly.

"It is already over town that Charlotte left with Warrick, and soon it will be further seasoned by Sidney chasing after her while forgetting his ward entirely." Lord Babington said gravely.

Esther shook her head. "Damn Clara..." she bit her nail. "What could she have hoped to accomplish?"

Lord Babington nodded. "I fear she looked to rid Lady Denham of Charlotte by rumored ruin." he sighed. "I fear Charlotte may not be well."

Esther looked at him as her hand swept to her stomach in horror. "Could she have been sold into...." her voice went up a pitch. "Could Clara be so cruel?"

Her husband shook his head. "I should follow Sidney and help him."

Esther shook her head and laughed. "Help him? You will never catch him at the speed he is going. No, you need to stay here and try to help us manage the rumors. When Charlotte comes back she should not have to explain herself. She will have endured enough I imagine."

Heeding his wife's suggestion he remained but worried. They had all grown fond of Miss Heywood, each in their own way and this turn of events had all the plans for the day interrupted entirely. The Prince Regent was also expected any day and this kind of scandal would greatly interrupt the fanfare that a visit from one so high would warrant.

Not more than a half an hour had Sidney thundered off at great speed to London did they find Tom and Mary Parker along with Diana and Arthur at Sanditon House doorstep.

Esther always found Tom tedious but for Mary's sake, she welcomed them in.

"It has been a terribly trying day, I am sorry I cannot offer tea," Esther said bracing her fingers against the bridge of her nose. She had a terrible headache and she wanted to just lay down and have peace, but if it wasn't the guests in the house talking it was the servants in the hall whispering. Or it was her children that put demands on her. Though theirs was the only reasonable ones.

"Where is Sidney?" Tom asked coming to the point. "We have heard Miss Georgiana is Missing and that Charlotte has run off with the Captain!" he said his mouth agog.

Mary looked at him severely. "Rumor my dear, just rumor," she spoke up. "We came to inquire as to the truth of the matter because the town is abuzz.

Esther nodded. "Well we don't understand yet, but Charlotte certainly did not run off with the Captain. Sidney has just gone to attempt to catch up with Captain Warrick for an explanation. But we also have everyone we can find to look over the entire town. No one has seen her since the Crown Hotel."

Mary frowned. "What could she have been doing at the Crown Hotel?"

Esther sighed. "Miss Clara Brereton was staying there and had asked her to visit is the assumption we are working from."

Arthur looked down deep in thought. "But Miss Brereton is such a slight little thing. I could not imagine her doing anything nefarious." he protested with his sister Diana on his arm looking perplexed.

With a shake of her head, Esther cleared her throat. "I am afraid you have all been fooled by the well crafted gentle nature of her well-honed countenance. She is as vile as they come."

Tom frowned. "So he is chasing after Charlotte, but what of his ward?"

Esther shook her head. "I have no idea what his intentions of pursual of her for once he knew Charlotte was missing he had what seemed like a singular intention."

"How strange." Miss Diana Parker said quietly. She had never been informed of the attachment and was unsure how to make sense of her brother's actions. "What of Mrs. Campion. Surely she finds this all so very concerning."

Esther dropped her head back in exasperation. "Really are you all so dense, still?" she said walking away but only as far as the room would allow.

Lord Babington cleared his throat and blushed at his wife's cutting remark. "Apologies, tempers are running hot at the moment. Sidney and Charlotte have a deep attachment. But have been unable to join of course."

Tom rolled his eyes. "Damn foolish one too."

Esther scoffed. "Oh you are one to talk." she shook her head. "I am sorry but I cannot put up with fools any more this day," she said stalking off with a feral exasperated huff.