Don't Look Back

Chapter 18

Sidney's temperament was grating him at the moment. Another occasion of waking with a pounding headache from a night spent in the Crown gaming room drinking more than his fair share of bottles a night. He felt his side and the sharp ache and knew that he was killing himself faster than was usual.

She was so close, he saw her coming and going just about every day. Today was like all others.

Passing by Mr. Stringer's office window he observed her there too, inside, her back to the window but he knew it was her. Both Mr. Stringer and her head were close together and he felt jealousy rise in him unbridled. Pacing a moment he composed himself and instead of moving on and allowing them their interaction he contrived an excuse to go in.

Knocking he watched as Mr. Stringer stood and looked out the window before opening the solid oak door.

"Ah, Mr. Parker," he said. "You don't often come to my office." he squinted and invited him in with the incline of his head.

Sidney nodded. "Well, I - I uh," he struggled to explain his actions. "I wanted to see the new plans for the Theater," he said taking off his hat and seeing Charlotte turn. Her cheeks were pink but her expression looked as conflicted as his own.

"I was just showing Miss Heywood." Mr. Stringer said turning to the table. "We were discussing the height of the stage in relation to the highest seats."

"Miss Heywood," Sidney said, his voice thick and caught. He cleared his throat to cover the way he reacted to her very name.

Tried not to notice the way her breath hitched when he spoke it. She was wearing a pale blue dress and dark velvet green spencer. Her bonnet in her hand a matching green.

Sidney redirected his attentions back to the table covered in papers but he could not ignore the sound of her breath.

"What did you think of them Miss Heywood?" he said wanting an excuse to look over to gaze into her eyes.

Charlotte flustered a little and looked back to Mr. Stringer who seemed to eye the situation curiously and his arms were now crossed.

"I, I like them?" she offered hesitantly. "I mean. I do think that the town is growing and perhaps the boxes do not need to be too tall here and you can add perhaps a second row of private viewing boxes." she pointed.

Sidney nodded thoughtfully. More private boxes meant more accommodations for the rich.

He nodded and looked at Mr. Stringer. "I approve. When can the work start?" he asked.

Mr. Stringer sighed. "Already broke ground two weeks ago. I just wanted to have the approval before we start the foundation," he answered.

"Has my brother Tom seen this?" Sidney asked.

Mr. Stringer nodded. "He has Sir, and thinks it quite the thing."

Sidney nodded. "Yes, he would. Every fashionable town or city has a theater and all the better that it be new," he muttered and scratched his stubble.

Mr. Stringer smiled at Charlotte and Sidney's head dropped as he assumed they were growing an attachment.

Sidney nodded. "Good," he frowned. "Miss Heywood, would you allow me to accompany you back to Grandview?" he asked suddenly realizing his excuse to be there was used up.

Charlotte looked to Mr. Stringer and smiled nervously. "I suppose." she twisted her hat. "Thank you for showing me the plans Mr. Stringer."

James nodded. "I should like to go out walking with you later if you are of a mind?" he asked feeling like he was losing his chance again and he wasn't entirely sure he wanted to fight all that hard for it. Not that she was not a wonderful intriguing girl. It's just he was not sure his feelings would ever be reciprocated or in equal measure even if he were to rise against Mr. Parker.