Apologies for the delay, folks — work has taken over everything! I'm super thankful to have my job, but sadly it leaves little to no time for writing during the week, which means trying to squeeze in time for it on the weekends with everything else. Which is a shame because I love writing, and want nothing more than to devote time to this story. Being an adult with responsibilities sucks.

For everyone who is still reading, thank you so much for your patience and for staying with the story, and for all the awesome comments so far! I really do appreciate each and every one of you, and I'm glad that you're enjoying it!

Receiving word from Lord Babington and Lady Worcester certainly breathed new life into the Parkers' and their houseguest's flagging spirits. On their third morning in London, Charlotte and Sidney found themselves alone once more, this time in the Parker carriage as it carried them to Mayfair.

Less shy than the previous morning at being alone together but apprehensive about the developments their respective days would bring, they said little, but sat next to each other in the carriage and held hands all the way from Bedford Place to Worcester House.

About halfway through the journey, Sidney reached out with his free hand to stop Charlotte's fingers from tugging and twisting the ribbons of her bonnet, which she'd been doing for the past five minutes at least.

"Oh!" She let go of the ribbons immediately, her eyes widening as she tried to smooth them out. "I must confess I didn't expect to feel so… nervous."

"It's only Lady Worcester," he assured her, trying to ease the trepidation he could see all over her face, before they both realised what he'd said.

They burst out laughing at the same time at the unintended absurdity of his words — there was nothing "only" about Lady Worcester.

"You have no reason to be nervous," he reminded her as their chuckles eased. "I'll admit I was a little suspicious of her friendship with you at first. Lady Worcester is one of the great ladies of London society, and is always being put upon by people hoping for favours from her. She is not usually the first to make any overtures of friendship. But she obviously considers you a particular friend. It is well known that she invites very few people to her home unless she hosts a ball, and even then only those whom she holds high in her esteem."

"it is not that I am anxious about meeting Susan. But if she has no suggestions to how we might proceed, nor whom we might approach, then I have no notion of how else I might be able to help you."

He frowned. "Regardless of what happens with Lady Susan, I don't expect that you will have all the answers."

"But this is important. I want to help. I want us to be partners, Sidney."

"Charlotte, we're exploring every possible option we can think of. Your approaching Lady Susan is more than we could have ever dreamt of. But if nothing comes of it, I'm not going to think any less of you, no one is!"

Charlotte's teeth worried her full lower lip in a way that was wildly distracting, but Sidney resolutely ignored it. Her big brown eyes were full of an uncertainty he'd never seen in her before. It was not like her to worry about the outcome of things before they had even happened.

"Is this what you've been fretting about?" he asked, turning on the seat to face her. "That Mary or I will be disappointed if you don't have a solution to present us with?"

Charlotte sighed and shook her head. "I will be disappointed in me."

"You have no reason to be! Charlotte, I'm not marrying you because I expect you to rescue us every time we face a difficult situation. I would like us to be equal partners too, but that doesn't mean I expect you to provide at least half the solution to any problem."

"I cannot seem to help it," she said ruefully. "I cannot imagine not helping. I'm the eldest daughter with eleven younger siblings. There's always a little brother or sister who needs my help with schoolwork or lessons, or my mother with running the household, or my father with the management of the Willingden estate–"

"You do not need to list your accomplishments to me, madam. I am well aware of how capable my wife-to-be is." He adored the way her cheeks went pink at his words. "Were you not the one to come up with the idea for the regatta? Was it not successful because of you?"

"That was Lady Susan."

"Who came to Sanditon only to see you. Fine. Were you not the one who saved us from ignominious defeat at the cricket match? I remember being quite roundly told off for trying to help you."

"You assumed I didn't know how to play!" she protested immediately, "And hadn't you just spent the whole morning sneering at me for having made assumptions about you?"

It was on his mind to tell her that his was a reasonable assumption to make — certainly no other ladies of his acquaintance knew how to play cricket. But really, he should have known better. This was Charlotte after all, who had the unnerving talent for doing exactly the thing that was most unexpected.

But he was glad to see he had diverted her thoughts from what was worrying her, that she wasn't fretting about it anymore — so happy to see the usual liveliness return to her eyes that he almost missed what she said next.

"Besides, Mr. Stringer went easy on me, though he didn't have to."

Sidney felt a spurt of annoyance at the mention of the young foreman. It had not been difficult to see that the man was smitten with Charlotte. He had felt the burn of jealousy every time they had exchanged smiles during the match, particularly as he and Charlotte had still been at odds and had sniped at each other that entire morning. She had no smiles for him then.

He shook himself and came back to the conversation at hand. "You downplay your skills. You made more runs than any of the other men on the team save for me and Babington."

She could not refute that, nor stop the impish smile that curved her lips.

"Do not dismiss your contributions, Charlotte. You have already done more for us Parkers and for Sanditon and the people of the town than all the Parkers put together."

Now her shy smile was entirely for him. "Very well."

She settled back again in her seat, but Sidney had no intention of sitting idle for the remainder of their journey.

"There is, however, one particular matter in which I require your help," he said, allowing a note of levity to enter his voice.

"What is it?" she asked, curious at his suddenly almost-playful tone.

"I find myself alone in a carriage with my intended–" He drew her close to him as he spoke, "–and I have been most remiss in not taking this opportunity…"

His voice lowered as he leant in, and its deep timbre sent a thrill of anticipation through her.

"…to kiss her." His voice had fallen to a husky murmur. "Perhaps you could help me remedy that?"

They were indeed very much alone, just the two of them, and Charlotte's heart raced. There was a decidedly amorous glint in Sidney's eyes, and she found herself leaning closer to him, as if pulled to him by an invisible thread. He was so close now, she could feel his breath on her lips. Her eyelids fell shut as his mouth closed over hers.

His lips moved against hers, gentle at first, then more insistent. He nipped at her lower lip and then soothed it with his tongue, and when her mouth opened beneath his, his tongue found and stroked against hers. How a kiss could be so sweet, so lovely, and yet make her tremble so, she did not know. It was intoxicating, as if he was promising secrets to be revealed later.

His fingers that had stayed at her chin, tilting her face up to his, now cupped her cheek while the other hand slid around her waist, pulling her close against him. Her hands rose, hovered uncertainly for a moment before settling on the dark cloth of his coat covering his chest. Her fingers gripped the lapels and tugged him closer.

"Charlotte," he murmured her name, as if he could not help it, and kissed her ardently, gasping softly when she responded with equal fervour. He was utterly entranced by the feel of her lips against his, by the warmth of her hands on his chest through all the layers of fabric in between.

But just as the kiss started to deepen, just as they began to lose themselves in each other, the carriage came to a stop with a jerk — they had arrived at their destination.

They broke apart and Sidney groaned against her lips. He did not want to stop kissing her. He felt like a fool for not taking more advantage of the opportunity of being alone with her. But it was for the best; Charlotte could not go to Lady Susan's looking like she'd been ravished in the carriage. He was well aware they were already courting scandal by staying under the same roof when they were engaged. Their only saving grace was that it was not public news yet.

He leaned his forehead against hers for a moment, both of them breathing heavily, their heartbeats gradually slowing. Finally, they let go of each other, quickly putting themselves to rights, and ensuring they were presentable once again.

He tugged at one of the curls that had escaped the simple updo in which she had done up her hair this morning. Her gown was not of the latest fashion, but it was simple and elegant — without the silly frills and furbelows that were, for reasons that escaped him, considered the height of ladies' fashion nowadays. She could not know how very much she looked every inch a lovely young London lady.

She looked up and caught his admiring gaze, and boldly returned it, clearly appreciating his sartorial elegance. He cleared his throat, and shifted in his seat, making her grin at him.

Charlotte turned as the footman opened the carriage door, peering out of the window, and her jaw dropped at the sight of the grand mansion. Even Sidney felt a degree of awe as he took in the imposing façade, the entrance flanked by two pillars, and the wide stairs leading up to it.

"It's only Lady Susan," he murmured, but this time the reminder was for himself too, and she nodded.

"Good luck, Miss Heywood," he added teasingly as a memory popped up in his mind, "although I imagine you won't need it."

It elicited a merry laugh from her as she remembered she had used similar words but said something entirely different to him at the cricket match.

The footman helped Charlotte descend from the carriage, and Sidney waited until she climbed the steps and was shown inside the doorway of Susan's house before rapping the roof of the carriage to tell the driver to continue on their way.

The full import of Susan's wealth and position in society dawned on Charlotte as she stepped into the vast high-ceilinged entrance hall with its floor of chequered dark blue and white marble tiles.

She had only seen Sanditon House among the stately homes of the nobility, and despite being bigger than Worcester House, Charlotte could already tell that it did not compare on any other level to Susan's residence. Lady D's tastes in décor and furniture came across as merely eccentric when viewed on their own. But compared to the classy opulence she could see all around her here, Sanditon House could almost be described as gaudy.

She had just handed her bonnet to an impeccably liveried footman while the most imposing butler she had ever seen waited to escort her inside, when there was the sound of quick footsteps and Lady Worcester herself swept into the entrance hall.

A delighted smile lit up her face at the sight of her visitor. "My dear girl!"

"Susan!"

Susan embraced Charlotte in a tight hug that went miles in allaying any apprehensions she had about meeting her friend.

Charlotte did not have an older sister or even an older female cousin or friend. And while Mary had certainly become like one during her stay in Sanditon, there were certain subjects — mostly Sidney-related — that Charlotte had never felt she could talk to her about. There had been times this summer when she'd longed for advice and guidance from someone more experienced than her, and she could not deny that Susan's genuine friendship and sincere support shown in a few simple, honest words instilled in her a confidence no one else could. She had certainly never made such a close friend as quickly as Lady Worcester.

Susan pulled back and the two friends grinned at each other.

"I'm so pleased to see you! Come, we have much to talk about, I imagine."

Looping her hand through Charlotte's, Susan lead her deeper into the house, giving her a mini-tour as they made their way towards their destination. Charlotte caught glimpses of other rooms as they walked and could not help but marvel at everything she saw, especially the large library she caught sight of through a set of open doors. The décor became less opulent as they left the main receiving rooms and ventured into the more private areas of the house, simpler but no less classy. It felt comfortable and home-like — if one ever got used to living in such a fine home, Charlotte thought.

Finally, they entered a beautiful, sunny room that was elegantly and tastefully decorated in shades of soft green and ivory. Charlotte knew instantly this must be Susan's favourite room, where she spent most of her time. The walls were papered with a green fleur-de-lis pattern against ivory white. There were cleverly arranged settees and chaises, bookshelves lining one wall, and an elegant writing desk in one corner. As at Bedford Place, this parlour too overlooked a garden, though it was much bigger, with French windows opening onto a terrace with, a manicured lawn and a large walled garden beyond with many trees. Charlotte almost felt as if she wasn't in London anymore.

They settled down beside each other on a comfortable chaise. The housekeeper appeared almost immediately with the tea, and Susan thanked her with a gracious smile.

"I hope you were not too anxious at not hearing back from me sooner, my dear," she said to Charlotte once they were alone.

"I was, a little," Charlotte admitted honestly, colouring a little. "But only because the matter is slightly urgent, my lady. And I was afraid I had somehow imposed on your kindness. We have, after all, known each other just a fortnight."

"Susan," she corrected, enjoying her young friend's refreshing candour. "And you must never worry about overstepping any bounds when it comes to our friendship, Charlotte. I do apologise for not being able to reply sooner to your missive. I travelled to my country estate from Sanditon directly after the regatta to visit my family, and returned to London late yesterday afternoon, only to be summoned by the Prince Regent. One does not ignore a summons from Carlton House unless one has a really good reason to do so," she added with a wry smile.

This was the first time Susan had openly acknowledged her connection with the Prince Regent to Charlotte. She remembered what Arthur and Diana had said about their relationship and blushed, but found that she did not judge Susan. She never had.

Susan seemed amused at Charlotte's reaction. "But we shall speak of these matters in due course. Now tell me, my dear, does your urgency to see me have anything to do with the fire in Sanditon?"

"Yes." Charlotte wasn't surprised Susan already knew about it; Sidney had said news of it had begun circulating in London society. They could only hope no one knew yet of the insurance debacle. "The terrace building was burnt down. Unfortunately, that was not the only damage the fire did."

Susan had heard about the fire in Sanditon at Lady Harper's ball that she had attended the previous evening. She had been concerned, of course, and swiftly guessed this was the matter in connection with which Charlotte Heywood had asked to meet her. She had tried to make discreet enquiries, hoping to learn more. But hardly any of the ball-goers were interested in some mishap that had occurred in some small sleepy coastal town, though many had followed Susan there only days ago for the regatta. Sanditon was last week's fancy, and the fickle London crowd had already moved on, and though Susan had championed the town among the haut ton, instinct had told her to be thankful it wasn't in the limelight at that moment.

Now, Susan listened, engrossed, as her friend recounted the extraordinary incident — about the hours-long battle against the flames consuming the terrace and poor Mr. James Stringer's father's tragic death, about Tom Parker not having bought insurance for the construction works and the shockingly enormous debt he now owed, about Mary Parker's wrath at her husband and Sidney Parker telling Charlotte she could withdraw from the engagement to protect her from disgrace and scandal–

"Engagement!" Susan interrupted, astonished.

"Oh!" Charlotte's hand flew to her mouth, shocked and thoroughly mortified. "I cannot believe I forgot to tell you!"

"He asked you to marry him? Charlotte! Why did you not say so before?" Delighted, Susan embraced her.

"In truth, it feels like it happened quite some time ago, and not just mere nights," Charlotte admitted, a little embarrassed. "We haven't told anyone yet besides the Parkers and Lord Babington. And– well– the issue of the debt has eclipsed everything else since."

Susan studied her. "And was the proposal all you hoped for?"

The way Charlotte's cheeks went rosy, the way her eyes sparkled with happiness told Susan what she wanted to know.

"Mr. Parker was earnest and nervous and… sweet. Oh!– and after the regatta, he told me he had decided not to return to London with Mrs. Campion. He said– he said he is his best and truest self with me."

Oh my, Susan thought. Even her experienced heart was not unaffected by such an ardent declaration. She had not expected the serious and taciturn Sidney Parker to be capable of such romance — he rose further and further in her estimate with every new detail Charlotte revealed about him. She reached out and squeezed Charlotte's hand, wordlessly conveying her approval.

"And he offered you the chance to withdraw from the engagement when he learnt of the debt?"

"He did not want the scandal of the Parkers' financial ruination to taint my reputation," Charlotte said with fond exasperation.

"He tried to do the honourable thing," Susan countered. "An admirable gesture that speaks to his character. But equally, it speaks to yours that you have decided to stand by him. I am so very happy for you, dear girl! Now," she squeezed Charlotte's hand, "Before you tell me absolutely everything about his proposal — and you must spare no detail! — how can I help you in the matter of the debt?"

"I was wondering — hoping — that you might you might be able to provide some leads on patrons who might want to invest in the redevelopment of Sanditon?" Charlotte asked. "Most of the beau monde that attended the regatta came because they followed you there. Perhaps some of them might be amenable?"

"Is that all?"

"All? It will be tremendous help! Sidn– Mr. Parker could speak to them. He has been doing little else since we came to London, but to no avail. Whoever he has met so far, they have all refused him."

"They have all refused him?" For a moment, Susan was distracted by this unlikely piece of news. But in her usual habit, she set it aside in a corner of her mind where she could subconsciously ruminate upon it while she focused on the problem at hand.

"Charlotte, most people would seize a mile if offered an inch of help." Susan smiled at her fondly. "I will, of course, help you find investors. But before you approach anyone, I have a suggestion. I do wonder if your Mr. Parker wouldn't benefit from speaking to my financial advisors. They have in-depth knowledge of these matters and I think they might be best placed to help." She paused for a moment, thinking, then nodded decisively, especially in light of the tidbit Charlotte had revealed about Sidney Parker's lack of luck with investors. "If you can wait a day, my dear, I can guarantee they will be able to come up with a viable plan."

Although an additional day's delay caused Charlotte some worry — today was already the fourth day of the week Lady Denham had granted them — they'd had no luck so far on their own. And if Susan herself consulted these financial advisors, what harm could it do to enlist their help? This was far more than she had hoped for, and she had faith in her friend.

"Very well," she agreed.

Susan penned a quick note right away, and asked a footman to have it delivered to her financial advisors' address immediately. "I have asked them to meet us here tomorrow morning. You may rest assured, my dear, that with their help, we will come up with some solution to the Parkers' situation. In fact, I think you will quite like the Abbotts," she added cryptically, with a twinkle in her eye. "As for whom to approach about investing, I will share those names with you tomorrow as well, once we have some clarity on how our situation might progress."

Nothing raised Charlotte's spirits more than to hear Susan refer to it as "our situation". She leaned forward impulsively and gave her a heartfelt hug. "I cannot thank you enough, Susan!"

"There is no need to thank me, Charlotte." Susan said warmly. "It would be a grave injustice indeed if Tom Parker's family and the people of Sanditon were to suffer for his foolhardy actions. And you and Sidney do not deserve to have your happiness threatened and your future ruined simply because Tom refuses to take responsibility for his own mistakes."

Pressing matters dealt with, Susan called for luncheon. The two friends chatted all morning and into the afternoon, strolling about in the garden when they became tired of remaining indoors. Susan wanted to know everything that had happened between Charlotte and Sidney after he arrived in Sanditon for the regatta, Mrs. Campion in tow, and how they had come to be engaged. With much blushing, but glad of the chance to share the details with someone who would neither be scandalised by nor judge her thoughts and feelings, Charlotte told her all.

Susan listened patiently.

Besides the Sanditon fire, the other on dit circulating through Lady Harper's ballroom that had been of particular interest to Susan was the one being cleverly spread by the person whom it was about herself. Mrs. Campion had dropped hints all evening about expecting to be engaged very soon to a "certain gentleman".

She had not explicitly said anything, of course. But Susan had caught the words "reunited", "fate brought us back together", "meant to be", and all sorts of similar nonsense. She might have otherwise ignored it all if she hadn't also heard Mrs. Campion belittle a "young village girl" she had met in Sanditon, calling her "a most amusing creature" who would "rather read books than be part of polite society" and "had the oddest notions about love and matrimony". Luckily, Mrs. Campion had not used Charlotte's name, likely because she was aware that doing so might ascribe her more importance than a supposedly insignificant country miss deserved.

Susan couldn't understand how on the one hand Eliza Campion painted a fairytale picture of a decidedly un-fairytale story of herself and Sidney Parker, while in the same breath deriding a young woman for seeking to marry for love rather than money.

But she had set aside her distaste for Mrs. Campion's insidious behaviour and had, in her usual way, worked her magic to minimize any harm caused to Charlotte's reputation. But Charlotte need not know any of that.

Now, at the end of her young friend's story, she turned to her, a knowing look in her eye. "Have you any worries or misgivings, my dear?"

"No…" Charlotte hesitated. "Not really. But in some ways, it all seems too good to be true, like some sort of dream… I did not come to Sanditon looking to find love… and most definitely not to find a husband."

"Does Mr. Parker fall short of your ideal in any manner?"

"I'm not certain I even had an ideal," Charlotte laughed. "And if I did, Sidney would likely be the furthest from any naïve image I had in my mind."

She paused, trying to put into words the niggling thoughts she had pushed to the back of her mind. "It is just… So much has happened in these past few weeks that my mind is all awhirl! Sidney and I were completely at odds over everything — we had so many fights and misunderstandings. And then Mrs. Campion, and oh, Susan! It was as if the whole universe was conspiring to keep us apart at the Midsummer Ball! And now the fire and the debt and– and–"

"Well, your courtship has certainly been eventful!" Despite her amusement at Charlotte's uncharacteristic, slightly dramatic lament, Susan's expression was full understanding. "But remember Charlotte, love is tested in many ways. The important thing is that you and Mr. Parker overcome the difficulties and obstacles together. Besides, this gives you a chance to learn each other's mettle."

Susan had a point, but it didn't entirely erase Charlotte's uneasiness.

"My dear girl, despite everything that happened, the man proposed to you as soon as he found a moment, did he not? And," Susan continued, "He could not help but seek you out at the regatta to spend time with you despite having arrived with Mrs. Campion. He trusted you, not just as the woman he loves but also as a confidante whose advice he values. He followed you to apologise after Mrs. Campion mocked you in the refreshments tent, and never returned to her side."

"You're right. I'm just being silly." Charlotte gave herself a little shake. She was not given to dwelling on gloomy moments from the past, and did not understand why such thoughts persisted. "It's just– for a while, it felt like the whole world was against us."

"It might seem that way, Charlotte, but I assure you it is not." It would not be, Susan would make certain of it.

A pause.

"He told me about his life in Antigua, and how he became acquainted with Georgiana and her father."

"I see." Susan had heard about the wealthy Mr. Reginald Lambe who had married a slave, freed all the enslaved people on his plantation, and then campaigned to abolish slavery everywhere. "And did that change your opinion of Sidney in any way?"

"No." Charlotte's voice strengthened with conviction. "No. He's a good man who recognises that he has made some terrible mistakes. He wants to make amends and I stand by him. I know he is sincere."

"Good."

Charlotte also told Susan that she and Sidney would have Georgiana stay with them after they married, if Georgiana wished it. Susan, in turn, offered to have Georgiana stay with her and sponsor her for the season in London, if she agreed. "What use my position and influence if I don't use it to do good? People might be shocked at first, but they will come around. And there will always be those like you, Charlotte, who see beyond a person's race and will welcome her."

Talk of Charlotte and Sidney's life after they were married led Susan to caution Charlotte about the potential scandal of staying in the same house as her fiancé, and invite her to stay at Worcester House instead. Touched, Charlotte promised she would speak to Mary about it.

It also led to an unexpected and surprisingly candid conversation on intimacies between husband and wife. Susan broached the subject now that Charlotte and Sidney were engaged, asking if she knew much about the marriage bed, and what to expect on the wedding night. What followed was an enlightening discussion that answered a great number of questions Charlotte had, and raised many new ones.

Unable to keep it to herself anymore — she hadn't told a single soul, not even Alison! — Charlotte, cheeks aflame, revealed how she'd run into Sidney at the coves, and the awkward situations that occurred when they unexpectedly ran into each other several times the next morning.

It made Susan laugh uproariously, with no trace of the poised and redoubtable society grande dame. "I do not mean to laugh at you my dear, not at all!" she gasped, wiping tears of laugher from her eyes, "But oh! To be a fly on the wall for all these meetings!"

Charlotte, who had tried hard to stop blushing and not hide her face behind her hands, could not help but laugh with her.

The conversation stayed on her mind all the way back to Bedford Place in Susan's carriage that her friend had sent to convey her home. She thought she understood now that intense, hungry look she saw in Sidney's dark eyes when she sometimes caught him staring at her. It stirred her in a way that nothing had done in all the two and twenty years of her life, making her feel warm all over and sending a shiver through her at the same time.

It also made her wonder: if he was so… affected by her when they had not done much more than exchange a few kisses — oh, breathtaking, electrifying, soul-stirring kisses to be sure; she would never deny that she liked kissing him very much indeed! — but what would it be like if they actually…?

She blushed to the roots of her hair, glad she was alone in the carriage. For, anyone who took one look at her face would immediately know the direction of her thoughts. She did not know how she could see Mary again, and keep a straight face.

Susan's carriage deposited Charlotte outside No. 7 Bedford Place, and she stood outside on the pavement for a few moments, desperately hoping the outdoors air would cool the colour in her cheeks.

She was so lost in thoughts of herself and Sidney like that, that she didn't hear a carriage — another carriage — pull up behind her.

A very tall, very burly footman in unfamiliar livery appeared before her and she startled, only then noticing the vehicle drawn up at the kerb. She turned, and when she caught sight of the lone occupant through the open door, she stiffened, her stomach twisting with dread.

"Miss Heywood," Mrs. Campion's shrill voice floated out "Why don't you join me?"

It was not a question or a request; the command in her patently false politeness was clear.

Charlotte glanced towards the closed front door of the Parker townhouse. She knew Sidney wouldn't be home yet, but it would really help if there was a footman watching from the entrance hall windows whom she could signal for. She had absolutely no wish to do anything with Mrs. Campion.

The burly footman stood resolutely behind Charlotte, and when she looked at him — a mute plea for help — he simply gestured towards the carriage door with his chin, telling her wordlessly to get in.

Charlotte knew she had no choice; the footman would bodily see her into the vehicle if she didn't enter herself.

Throwing a final look at the front door of Bedford Place, Charlotte, heart pounding in nervousness and unease, climbed into the carriage.

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