Don't Look Back

Chapter 3

Half-past four, Charlotte at great length ventured the risk of sneaking back into the Sanditon apartments. Careful to step cautiously she entered the kitchen where the cook looked upon her with confusion and curiosity.

"Just what are you up to young lady, sneaking through my kitchen?" Mrs. Claudet said waving a brown wooden spoon at her. "And the mud on your shoes." she clicked her tongue. "And your hem is ruined." she shook her head. "Much too fine of fabric to be traipsing in the muddy sand." the woman chided.

Charlotte looked down to the soiled hem. "It isn't ruined, I can manage cleaning it myself it if puts anyone out." she retorted as she sat down in the chair exhausted.

"Bell says she could see you walking the beach with a gentleman." the cook asked as she stirred the pot.

Sighing heavily she untied the bonnet on her head with a sigh. "Yes, Mr. James Stringer. He was once a friend when I was here last."

Mrs. Claudet laughed. "A friend? I wager he was a suitor." the cook said and noted the shy blushing expression on the young companion of her lady.

Waving the woman off Charlotte stole a tart from the counter where it cooled and fingered it carefully.

"Stop that now girl, you will burn your mouth!" the woman waved a rag at her now.

Heels clicked on the tile outside. "Is that you Charlotte?" Lady Susan's voice came through and the door opened.

Turning Charlotte smiled. "They are gone?" she asked.

Nodding Susan smiled. "Yes, the senior Mr. and Mrs. Parker haven't the foggiest notion that you are here. Let alone that you have been my companion these many years or that you are here now," she said meaningfully. "How they have managed that tells a lot about their levels of self-absorption...the goings-on here must be quite immersive," she said clasping her hands in a dignified way.

Charlotte chewed the hot treat and tried to speak but the cook beat her to it.

"Miss Heywood was seen on a beach walk with a young gentleman." the woman's bright blue eyes went wide. "Alone." her last word smacked of judgment.

Lady Susan turned and regarded her almost proudly. "Really, Charlotte, how indecent."

Charlotte's cheeks burned. "He is just an old friend."

Lady Susan laughed as did the cook. "The look on your face." the cook said brightly as the women laughed at her expense.

"You already met him five years ago," Charlotte protested. "Mr. James Stringer," she said hoping her friend would stop her teasing.

Lady Susan stopped her gaiety for a moment. "The strapping young man who won the races at the regatta?"

Charlotte again blushed thinking of the description of the man and nodded. Strapping wasn't quite enough, especially not in his present fit form....she thought of seeing him just a short while ago. He had a tall and muscular frame that looked better in a suit than most gentlemen and bespoke of his harder body beneath the layers of quality fabric.

"Well, he still seems to be in the races me thinks?" Lady Susan in their common spoken metaphors.

The cook frowned. "And what race is that?" Though she knew about the Parker debacle she had no notion of this Stinger chap.

Charlotte rolled her eyes and stomped out as if she were twelve years old again. "Honestly, I can't manage when you two both are teasing. I will be in my room." Charlotte said hastily excusing herself.