Sanditon Season 2: The River and the Man

Chapter 161

"Well?" Tom pressed.

Mary laughed and nodded. "What happened after?" she followed her husband's excitement.

Placing his glass down he stood straight, "I am to be married." he felt his mouth pull into a wide smile as he uttered the words with pleasure for the first time in his life.

Mary and Tom looked jubilant.

Arthur stood dumbfounded for a moment. "To Miss Heywood right?" he clarified but Diana slapped him in the stomach making him realize his sleep fog mind was not too keen.

Diana shook her head. "Of course, Miss Heywood!" she looked at him exasperated. "Who else?"

Arthur blushed. "Apologies, things move so quickly in this family of late. Everyone seems to be full of changes" he said with a sarcastic tone as he blushed brightly. "This does deserve a toast," he said going to ready just that.

Sidney smiled and lifted his glass as his family lifted theirs.

"You should be the one toast, Sidney," Mary suggested as she held her little glass.

He lifted it and nodded. "At last," he whispered.

Tom nodded and drank it down. "Here, here."

Sidney who was fatigued put his glass down and turned. "So what of the Heywood family? Did they take the news well?"

Tom nodded. "Well, I suppose they had to take it well. Their daughter and sister is a very wealthy woman now. She will be desired and coveted far and wide now."

Sidney shook his head and rubbed at his temple. "What about Mr. Heywood?" he asked. "When can I expect to come face to face with this man?"

Tom smiled. "Day after tomorrow," he said as they all shared and passed yawns.

Sidney nodded. "Good, should probably make read Sanditon House so that Charlotte can start making use of it and bring back the servants that hoped to serve the new owner.

Mary smiled and put her hand on Tom. "I don't know about you all, but I am absolutely exhausted. Today felt endless."

Her husband nodded. "Indeed, quite right. As it is our family is going to be known for being in bed long after the noon hour and that is unseemly and tomorrow the proper announcements should be made."

Sidney raised his brows in confusion. "Announcement?"

Nodding energetically despite how tired he looked. "Of course. All of Sanditon should know that Miss Heywood is now the richest woman in the county."

Sidney shook his head. "What are you now the town crier?"
Laying his head on the pillow that night he just smiled. Very soon he would have Charlotte sleeping by his side and he could not ignore how the smiled remained firmly on his face.

——

Charlotte on the other side of the square could not sleep. She waited up looking out the window to the sea all night as she thought of the town and Lady Denham. The paramount responsibility that landed squarely on her shoulders. She could see the Babington's had returned with Esther begging the servants who had stayed up all night if her children were well.

Lady Susan looked up to her in the window and smiled.

Taking her robe she had found packed up in the trunks Lady Susan had provided she went down to meet them.

"Oh, Charlotte!" Esther said as she ran to her and embraced her. "God be praised you are here."

Lord Babington smiled and handed off his hat and cane. "Miss Heywood! We have just come from Wellingden!"

"My dearest Charlotte," Lady Susan embraced her. "Why did you not send word you were coming?"

Embracing her friends. "I wanted to surprise you all."

Esther laughed. "Consider us entirely surprised. We also have a shock for you." she beamed her smiling eyes brightened the room.

Charlotte nodded. "Mr. Parker has already informed me."

Lord Babington smiled. "Thought there must have been a good reason he never caught up."

Lady Susan gripped her hand. "You mean you already know you are an heiress?" she asked.

Charlotte nodded. "Yes, I-"

Esther wiped at her eyes. "Honestly I do not know why I never guessed it. Makes perfect sense when you really look."

Susan nodded agreeing. "Indeed, a very sensible choice."

Charlotte blushed. "The hour is so late. I am sure you are all very tired."

Lord Babington nodded. "Yes, we are. The road was in rough condition, but we made it. Though I know I will be sore in the morning."

A snore sounded from the parlor and they all startled.

"It is just Mr. Crowe. He came in and crashed there about three hours ago." Charlotte said as they all looked at his unconscious form outlined on the floor next to the furnishing he had rolled from. A blanket was tucked around him thoughtfully.

"Oh, well some things never change," Lord Babington sighed. "Sorry my dear." he apologized for his friend.

Esther just waved him off. "It is fine my dearest. I need to sleep. We will worry on him in the morning." Looking to Charlotte she smiled. "I am so glad you are here. Tomorrow we can arrange for Sanditon House to be reopened and the servants brought back."

Charlotte nodded. "Yes, but I perhaps will not need so many. I am not entirely sure I will live there."

Esther's eyes opened wide in shock. "Why ever not?"

Charlotte shrugged. "Things are moving so fast. It is all so much to get used to."

Smiling tenderly Esther took her hand. "It will be alright. It is just money."

Charlotte internally rolled her eyes. For her money was a difficult thing to be used to.