The Guardian

Episode 2 Part 3 - The Pineapple Luncheon

Charlotte tried hard not to gasp in awe as she entered the drawing room of Sanditon House with Mrs Griffiths and the Misses Beauforts the next day for she had never seen anything like it. If the size of Sanditon House didn't speak of Lady Denham's wealth, then the drawing room certainly did for nearly every item was in black and gold. At the back of the room was a garish statute of Neptune and the walls were painted from floor to ceiling with mythical creatures. An enormous and elaborate chandelier hung from the ceiling and on the floor was a gigantic red snake. Charlotte didn't like it one bit and thought it rather monstrous. After taking in the décor, Lady Denham came up to them, Miss Brereton on her heels.

"Ah, Miss Heywood. How lovely to finally meet you." She said, a wide smile on her face.

"Lady Denham, thank you for your invitation, what an honour you have bestowed on Charlotte." Mrs Griffiths said before Charlotte could get a word in.

"Yes, well, I am always trying to bring pleasure to others. It is nice to see much more colour in your cheeks today, Miss Heywood for your looked quite ill at church on Sunday."

"I merely had a headache, that is all." Charlotte commented.

"Yet to go to church in that howling gale with such an ailment seemed rather unwise, if you ask me." Lady Denham said.

Mrs Griffiths pursed her lips as Lady Denham spoke, for it had been she that had insisted that Charlotte had attended church. Mrs Griffiths swiftly changed the subject. "We were most fortunate to have Mr Hankins come and lead us in a bible study on Monday. He is quite the gentlemen."

"He is rambling idiot and I pity anyone who has to listen to him more than once a week." Lady Denham said. Charlotte tried to suppress a smile as she recalled Esther's words regarding Lady Denham's sharp tongue. "How do you find Sanditon, Miss Heywood?"

"I find it quite charming, Lady Denham."

"Have you tried sea bathing yet?"

"No, not yet." Charlotte admitted.

"Perhaps once you are out of mourning you will indulge in that activity."

"Yes. I would very much like to try it."

"And have you drunk the sea water?"

Charlotte was a little confused. "No..."

"I take half a tumbler of it every morning and find I am as strong as ever."

"And indeed, you are the picture of health, Aunt." Clara said.

Lady Denham rolled her eyes. "Enough with your obsequiousness Clara." She admonished. "When does your state of mourning end?"

"In a month or so." Charlotte replied.

"Very good, for then, you will be looking for a suitor I should think?" Lady Denham said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Oh... no, matrimony is far from my mind at present." Charlotte confessed.

Lady Denham smiled ruefully at her. "So you say. Ah, there is Mr Sidney Parker and Lord Babington. Excuse me one moment." She said, walking away from Charlotte and towards her other guests. At the mention of his name, Charlotte turned her head to look at Sidney and their eyes met. She couldn't read his expression, but she could sense the tension between them and she instantly felt defensive. She wished they could have a civil conversation, but the truth was that she resented the fact her father had appointed him as her guardian without any explanation and he had now admitted the same. Perhaps time would soften things between them so that they could at least be courteous with each other?

The tension between Sidney and Charlotte was not the only ill-feeling in the room. Esther stood by the piano with Edward, neither saying a word to the other. In fact, with the exception of a meeting with Lady Denham yesterday where their Aunt had relayed her plans for giving Edward the opportunity to endear himself to Miss Heywood and Miss Lambe, Esther had kept to her rooms. Edward had made several attempts to coax her out of them, but to no avail. Esther looked pale and distant. The truth was, she considered her brother's act as a form of treachery and she was sure she would never be able to forgive him, or herself for that matter, for it was her that encouraged his insidious behaviour.