Don't Look Back

Chapter 2

Three days in Sanditon and she was officially hiding and had hoped Lady Susan did not mention it for her shame was not something she wished to address. But now with the card in her hand, she knew that her avoidance would be vexingly obvious.

"What is it, my dear?" Susan asked over breakfast.

Charlotte handed the paper to her and winced. "Mr. Tom and Mary Parker are requesting to call here this afternoon," she said with a sigh.

Lady Susan nodded and smiled. "And you, I assume are going to slip out the back or hide upstairs as if you don't exist on this very plane. Really Charlotte, is this how this summer is going to go?" she challenged.

Charlotte shifted in her chair nervously and reached for her tea and shook her head. "No, just for now. I am not ready to face them," she confessed.

"Does any of them know you are here?" Lady Susan asked.

Charlotte shrugged. "Lady Burell is a bit of a gossip, they may have found out by now." she looked down seriously. "They certainly know you are here."

Lady Susan nodded. "Yes, but it does not include you in the addresses... she reflected. If they knew you were here I do think they would mention a desire to reconnect."

Charlotte shrugged. "That very well may be, but I do wish to excuse myself from a meeting today. Please make my excuses if I am brought up?" she asked pleadingly. Her hands went up in a prayerful pose as she blinked innocently.

Lady Susan rolled her eyes. "Of course. I shall lie for you."

Charlotte winced. "Oh please don't guilt me. I just never expected to see any of them for perhaps another five years until you decided to come here."

Lady Susan looked at her as if disappointed. "You seemed happy enough with it the other day."

Charlotte sighed. "I was excited to see the buildings."

Lady Susan shrugged. "You will face them next week at the ball. Perhaps even the former Mrs. C."

Shaking her head Charlotte went to drink. "She is Mrs. Parker now." her tone was final.

Lady Susan rolled her eyes. "Rumor has it she is certainly something," she muttered.

Charlotte's cheeks burned as she tried to will herself to endure this conversation.

"I realize I probably cannot avoid them, but I wish to make it to the ball. There one can smile and be glad to see each other but conversation is difficult." Charlotte bargained.

Laughing her tinkling giggle Lady Susan bit into her sugary pastry. "Oh, my dear Charlotte you are never going to avoid the uncomfortable reality that you still love Mr. Sidney Parker.

Charlotte felt burned by that accusation. "I am not." she protested.

Shaking her head not caring a whit about her companion's protest Susan reached for another fruit on the table. "Of course you are," she said simply. "I would be very careful my dear." she smiled teasingly.

Charlotte opened her mouth in shock. "Did you plan this? Is this for some perverse entertainment?" she pressed.

Lady Susan waved a feather at her coyly. "No of course not, but It will be entertaining. But I assure you this is not planned." she smiled. "Well not entirely."

Charlotte shook her head. "I know you were bored in London, and you had a falling out with the Prince Regent, but please don't meddle in this affair," she begged. "It is ancient history."