Chapter Text
Chapter 1
On her last morning in Willingden, Charlotte Heywood lay in the tall grass, completely hidden from view, with her eyes closed. The feeling of the early morning sun warming her eyelids being the only feeling of warmth on the chilly morning. Just as any other time she had closed her eyes the past few weeks, she saw a figure, one that took shape more and more the longer she had her eyes closed. This repeating occurrence explained why she had been getting little sleep. Her restlessness gave way to vivid daydreams and sleep was often so far off that she could not take it any longer and forced her eyes open. This morning was no different. She wrenched her eyes open and sat up so abruptly she was made aware of several nearby woodland creatures scurrying off, being none the wiser of her presence. She did not blame them for running off, she was not enjoyable company these past few weeks, despite her best efforts. Which is why, when a letter arrived a week ago, Charlotte jumped at the opportunity presented in its contents and her family was also a touch eager to see her go. They all loved Charlotte dearly, but the Charlotte Heywood that had returned from Sanditon some weeks ago was not the Charlotte they knew. Therefore, when the invitation from Lady Susan to spend the season with her in London presented itself, none of the family had many objections to the prospect. The Heywoods hoped that London would alleviate Charlotte’s despondency and not add to it, therefore, they were quite anxious to see her go.
Charlotte stood, brushed her skirts off, realizing the morning dew had made more of a mess than she realized. She walked back to the Heywood estate and went immediately to change into her travelling clothes, a coach would be there shortly to take her to London. Her family, being quite used to Charlotte’s early morning walks and hunts from long before her trip to Sanditon, were not surprised to find her in wet, somewhat dirty skirts, rushing in to change and cutting it quite close to the expected arrival time of the carriage. Her family helped her gather her belongings and when the unmistakable sound of a carriage approaching was heard, she was tying the ribbon on her bonnet and saying her final goodbyes with tears in her eyes. She would miss her family and she knew she owed it to them to try and return after her season in London more herself. She held onto Allison’s hand as she made her final steps to the carriage. Allison had been kind and not been too probing with her questions upon her return, allowing Charlotte to tell her the reasons for her more quiet, contemplative mood in her own time. When Charlotte felt she could make it through the story without crying, late one night, she confessed it all. Tears did come, unbidden, falling down her cheeks throughout, but she made it through all the details nonetheless. Allison let the words sink in for a few moments and simply responded, “What an idiot.”
Charlotte, surprising herself, choked out a laugh, feeling as if she had never laughed before it had become so foreign to her these past few weeks. Once the surprise of the laughter was gone, she asked her sister in return, “Who?”
Allison closed her mouth and squinted a bit before responding, “There are quite a few idiots in that tale, aren’t there?”
Charlotte could not stand the thought of Allison hating Sidney, so she responded, “I understand why he did what he did.” Allison started to speak, but Charlotte continued, “That does not mean that I do not feel anger and yes, sometimes that anger is directed at Sidney, but he is a good man, Allison. He sacrificed his happiness as well.”
Allison was quiet, almost glaring at her sister and finally said, “Tom, then. We’ll settle on Tom. He shall receive all my ire.” After which they both laughed. Allison was thrilled to hear her sister laugh once again and to see a genuine smile on Charlotte’s face.
Allison was sure that Charlotte was remembering this conversation as she stepped into the carriage still holding onto Allison’s hand as a smirk and a light laugh came from Charlotte. Their joined hands a promise, Charlotte will be fine and not to worry about her, Allison finally let go and let out a sigh, for she knew her sister to be strong and resilient. Allison watched the carriage leave, not taking her eyes off of the carriage for quite a while, for she had a feeling that the Charlotte that would be returning to them in some odd weeks would be even more different than the one that had just departed.