Sanditon Season 2: The River and the Man

Chapter 113

Mary still sat at the table after lunch and rested her head in her hands.

Sidney had just financially granted their family a maid again, as well as a cook. His generosity in the light of all that had happened had brought tears to her eyes many a meal that was cooked not by her hand. The last ten months without any help with the children or the keeping of things had been difficult. They had left Trafalgar for Tom's health but also to minimize expenses.

Diana and Arthur had paid for the cottage and they had quite a cozy winter but it had come time to return to Sanditon as with her woe's.

Tom was happy enough to stroll through Sanditon as if he owned the place and everyone and everything owed their very existence to him. She was finding it increasingly grating and had kept to the house as much as she could for the shame she constantly carried with her.

To be the subject of gossip when her entire life had been to remain apart from all that was a terrible blow to anyone.

She picked up her tea which had grown cold and sighed. It was lonely, she had been thus before but then they met Charlotte and brought her home with them and she had never been happier. Sidney was happy too. Visions of sunny picnics had filled her mind when she realized there was an attachment forming. Of their children playing together on the sandy dunes of Sanditon. But none would happen.

Tears slid from her face as she thought of Charlotte on the dangerous road to Scotland and Sidney too. Anything could happen. They could be robbed, or caught in inclement weather.

She rolled her eyes chiding herself on the dark thoughts. She was exhibiting traits of her overly hysterical sister-inlaw. Rubbing her forehead she shook her head expelling the negative imaginings. Charlotte was well, she had survived a solo trip to London unharmed.

The front door burst open and Mary's nerves being raw she accidentally knocked over her cup and likely stained the cloth on the table. Turning she found Diana and Arthur breathless at the door.

Frustrated Mary wanted to bark at them for their lack of manners and decorum but her own timidity just paralyzed her with anger and she turned.

"Oh, Mary how perfect. Tea will be needed for this news." Diana said looking horrified.

Mary put her hand to her chest and shook her head. "Please not any bad news, I am already poor enough company."

Diana sat down as the new maid came in and cleaned up.

"So sorry Prudence," Mary whispered to the young girl.

Diana did not may any mind to the accident and put her bonnet down on the table. "You would never guess who has returned only to whisk off another at Sanditon house, I am sure of it."

Mary shook her head unable to speak let alone venture a guess before Diana barreled over in more words. "Why Captain Warrick returned in a broody attitude but surprised everyone with an announcement of an attachment to none other than our would-be sister-in-law!"

Mary put her hand to her mouth. "Charlotte?" she asked forgetting that Diana and Arthur knew nothing of the connection between Sidney and Miss Heywood.

Diana and Arthur looked at each other confused. Arthur still panted from running down the street. He had crumbs all over his suit on account of running into a baker with his bread on the way to Trafalgar House. He had paid the man for all the bread that was spoiled and had to be thrown to the pigs before the sea birds spotted it.

"The guest in question is Mrs. Campion," Diana said still confused.

"Miss Heywood is not at Sanditon House. Why would she be a sister-in-law?" Arthur asked catching every detail of her response.

Mary shook her head and waved him off. "I am sorry, I have a terrible headache. I am worried about Charlotte. I suppose her name just came out."

Diana and Arthur looked at Mary briefly then each other confused. Mary's lack of response had them momentarily frozen.

"What?" Mary asked and sighed.

Diana frowned and looked at her with her mouth hung open. "I just thought you would be more concerned about the future of Sanditon now that Sidney no longer has a fiance," she said as Tom walked in.

"Oh good Tom, you will know how to react," Diana said anxiously.

Tom frowned as he looked between them all. "What is it?" he asked.

Arthur stood. "Captain Warrick and Mrs. Campion have formed an attachment and he just yesterday afternoon whisked her off to be married in London under special license," he answered.

"Special license?" Tom asked feeling the world shift under him. "How neither of them have any titles," he said confused.

Diana shook her head. "The man has friends in high places, perhaps in his case, he didn't need a title."

Tom nodded his mood had darkened. "Has anything been said about the investment?"

Diana shook her head. "I imagine with Sidney having run off to chase his ward there will be bad blood."

Mary shook her head and stood. "I just do this anymore." she looked to her husband. "All anyone cares about is wealth, and investment." she felt her lip tremble. "I am glad to be rid of the woman."

Tom frowned. "But without her we all fall."

Mary shook her head. "Look around you, Tom. We all fell." she laughed without joy, "Tom, need I remind you of the great sacrifice to keep you out of prison."

Arthur and Diana looked between the couple shocked for a moment.

"What sacrifice?" Diana whispered.

Tom shook his head. "No,"

Mary looked to Arthur and Diana, "Sidney does not love Mrs. Campion. As for the rest, I am not at liberty to gossip."

She stood and left the room to leaving Tom in a slight stupor and Arthur and Diana clamoring to have him answer their questions which he did not as he went for the door.

"Where are you going?" Arthur asked.

Tom shook his head. "I must fix this." He said and donned his hat and cane and left the house.

Diana and Arthur were left alone while the maid cleaned up the table.

"Well, that did not go as imagined," Arthur said with affect.

Diana nodded. "I quite agree, brother. Very strange reception to such upsetting news."