Don't Look Back

Chapter 16

Awoken by carriages rolling by Sidney groaned and looked out the bright offensive window and winced.

"The devil," he groaned as he rolled out of bed with a blistering headache. Visions of Charlotte flashed in his mind then the memory of his hands wrapped around Eliza's throat and he shook his head and his heart hammered and he stumbled down the stairs in search of her.

He found her sitting facing him. "Look at you, haven't even shaved and it is half past noon." she fluffed her little dog he hated because it bit Flora, and growled should anyone come near her while in her lap.

"If you come to me with an apology, you can save it... I will have none," she said looking through a book of fabrics on the table.

"Do you ever just shut up woman?" he asked impatiently.

She looked him up and down. "You are in a mood," she said.

He shook his head and sighed satisfied that in his drunkenness he had not killed her, however in his hungover sobriety she was not made safer it would seem. He still wished to throttle her.

"Where is Flora?" he asked.

Looking disgusted Eliza turned the page. "Flora saw Lady Babington and her yapping pups and begged to join. I of course dote on her and said yes," she said with false sweetness. "She is combing the beach for seashells and will no doubt return entirely soiled and muddied and in need of a new dress," she said.

Sidney rolled his eyes. Eliza found any excuse to shop and the only thing she took pleasure in regards to Flora was dressing her. It was something he encouraged but quickly saw it only fueled Eliza's vanity.

He scratched his stubble and reached for his hat and jacket deciding not to bother refreshing himself. He needed a walk and finding Flora and combing the beach with her would be just what he needed to get both his much-hated wife from his mind but also the other woman which consumed his mind always.

"Where are you going?" Eliza asked only vaguely interested after the night she had worried he would pound down her door. Putting her finger to her head as he left she decided she was tired and would go back and rest. She left instruction to turn away all callers and gave into fatigue she blamed on Sidney for making her too afraid to rest the night before.

Pounding the cobbled stones he looked down in serious thought.

"Mr. Parker?" came a familiar voice.

He turned and his bad mood still simmered. "Yes Stringer," he greeted as warmly as he could for the moment which was clear to all.

"I just wanted to tell you that I have the plans drawn up for the theater you asked," he told him. "I could bring them at your leisure."

Sidney frowned and nodded. "Yes, yes, I suppose I shall send for you, that is when I am ready," he said seriously.

Mr. Stringer nodded and tried to smiled good-naturedly. "Alright Mr. Parker, Sir." He turned.

Sidney was about to turn but curiosity overruled. "Say Mr. Stringer?" he called after the man.

Leaning back Sidney looked at the man before him and took in his polished form. Though a man of trade, Mr. Stinger had risen high in both esteem and respect. And Sidney was a man of business, not much superior to the man before him.

"I could not help notice, you and Miss Heywood entered the ball together last-night." Sidney noticed how narrow Mr. Stringer's eyes went upon him.

"Yes, and what of it?" the man answered.

Sidney shrugged. "I just wanted to know if I was to congratulate you." he lied.

Mr. Stringer scoffed. "And would you?" he asked. "She is a good woman who deserves a good man. You are married." he reminded him causing Sidney to wince.