Don't Look Back

Chapter 7

Staring at her reflection in the ballroom Eliza approved of the flush in her cheeks brought only by an afternoon of passion.

Sidney regarded her as he handed her a glass of Champagne. "You look well," he said casually. "Spent the afternoon with the Marquess?" he asked grimacing as he looked about the heads on the dance floor as if something tasted badly in his mouth.

She shrugged, uncaring about her husband's discomfort, and smiled smugly. "Oh, you are not going to feign jealousy, are you. You have your own dalliances, as do I." she whispered fanning herself as she smiled to the youthful Marquesses glancing her way with a bold and knowing smile. "It is our unspoken understanding is it not?"

Sidney clenched his jaw from the embarrassment he had to endure publically on the occasion.

"I thought it was not spoken of," he said under his breath as he took a drink and his eyes searched the crowd for Miss Heywood whom he had now over twenty-four hours to process her proximity but not sure how he would feel when he once again faced with the last woman he wished to give himself over to...

Eliza looked upon him with an irritable sour expression which was common enough in private but rarer in public for they worked hard to portray a united front, for Sanditon and Flora.

"You grow obvious Eliza," He cautioned. "People talk, and we both don't wish that for Flora."

Eliza blushed and fanned herself. "I am careful."

He shook his head and moved his roving eyes. "That is the trouble, you never really are."

Tom stepped into his view. "Sidney!" The call one could always count on hearing when they were in the same vicinity. Still, as ever it rankled him.

Leaving the company of his wife with a stiff nod he went to his brother who seemed in need of him.

"What is it Tom?" he sighed and still looked around still impatient with the situation.

Tom nodded and looked nervous. "I want to apologize for my ignorance all those years ago. I confess I thought wrongly that perhaps the fire had happened to bring you together after so long... But it had actually taken you from someone better for you."

"She was the choice of the family and not the choice of your own." Tom continued seriously.

Sidney shook his head and looked away uncomfortable. "This is neither the time nor the place for this Tom."

Tom nodded agreeing. "But there never will be a right time brother."

Nodding seriously he put his hand to his brothers back and led him to the side of the gathering space.

"It can't be helped Tom, nothing to say now." he clapped him forgivingly. "It is the past."

Tom shook his head. "I know but I just can't help but see your misery more clearly You must hate your obligation to this town."

Sidney nodded. "I do, And I have... but I am a man of my word, and so I will see this place thrive. I have sacrificed enough for it at this point."

Tom nodded "More than any of us have." his voice said wrung with regret.

Eliza joined him. "Sidney, I think we should dance, won't you offer your wife a turn?" she asked glancing at the small group dancing. "We must make an example."

Sidney clenched his jaw and handed off his drink to Tom and reluctantly guided her to the floor.

—-

Charlotte peered through the curtains as they waited to be announced.

"Come now Charlotte you shake like a leaf." Lady Susan said observing her friend and though this situation was compelling it was fraught with anxious emotions from her friend. "It is just a man from your past." She whispered. "Surely you must face him some time."

"What is wrong with the poor girl?" Lady Burell fanned herself then Charlotte. "Is she stricken?"

Lady Susan shook her head. "Heavens no, Charlotte is not weak in her constitution." Lady Susan looked penetratively at Charlotte to act poised. Lady Burell was known as the town gossip and if she knew about anything it would be across the entire town before the four dance commenced. "Charlotte drank a little too much." she made up an excuse on the spot. "I encouraged her." she rolled her eyes feigning shame.

Lady Burell frowned and looked at Charlotte to be sure and then moved forward. "Then she best not drink more," she muttered to them and moved on.

Susan looked to Sir Radmore, "Ah, Sir Radmore, would you do the honors of escorting Charlotte in?"

Mr. James Stringer came to Charlotte's side. "I would request the honor, Lady Susan, and you and Sir Radmore can precede us." he offered with a smile.

Charlotte blushed and grinned to him and accepted his arm as Sir Radmore looked a touch disappointed but gallantly smiled at the beautiful Lady Susan as if it was no trouble in the end.

"Thank you, Mr. Stringer," she said with a thankful smile. "I confess I do not know Sir Radmore that well," she whispered.

Mr. Stringer nodded. "No one really does. He came around when Miss Lambe came of age, many thought they were possibly an item but it seems they are not," he said as they moved closer on the announcing line. "Mr. Sidney Parker is on good terms with him so I don't give much thought to him."

She nodded. "I heard he and Georgiana are business partners," she commented.

He nodded. "Yes, that is a fairly new development this last year they bought out the Crown and it had just been refurbished. They paid a large sum for it, but I trust in a few years it could be worth it."

She frowned and looked ahead of her thankful for the conversation to calm her nerves.

"You are a vision tonight Miss Heywood," he said noticing the pink flush of her cheeks and the fine close she wore that accentuated all her beauties.

Charlotte sighed. "Thank you, Mr. Stringer. Lady Susan buys my clothes and dresses me how she wishes."

She looked down at the deep wine red of her simple silk gown. Her breasts were gathered high in the low cut dress which drew attention to the decolletage and the sparkling emerald necklace she wore that belonged to Lady Susan nestled teasingly into the cleft of her breast.

She blushed again noting that Mr. Stringer had noticed.

Coming to the Ballroom their party was announced, "Sir Radmore, accompanying Lady Worcester."

Mr. Stringer offered her a familiar squeeze of her hand. "Shall we?"

"Mr. Stringer with guest," the announcer said and hesitated while Mr. Stringer leaned down to whisper her name. "Ah, Miss Charlotte Heywood."

Charlotte's eyes took in the splendor of the ballroom and then she noted a central couple on the dance floor that was suddenly out of step.