Chapter Text
It was mid-May in Sanditon, and one of the warmest the town had on record. The sun beat relentlessly upon the Parker family as they took their morning walk along the shore. Mary’s delicate parasol was of little help in cooling her - a fact that made her feel rather cross. Her children dealt with their discomfort by discarding their hats and shoes and running madly over the sand. Normally Mary might have tried to curb their exuberance, but she was so uncomfortable herself that she let them roam freely without complaint.
Tom was walking next to her, pulling at his cravat and grimacing in the blazing heat. “I say, it would seem that we are in for a rather trying season. I cannot remember when a Sanditon spring has felt so hot and unpleasant.”
“Yes.” was all that Mary could reply. She licked the inside of her parched cheeks. “We ought to head back. The children should have some water. The sun is nearly overhead now, and the climate will only get worse.”
Tom called after them, and for once the children obeyed immediately, gathering up their scattered things and racing towards Parker House. The family had not got far on their walk, and within twenty minutes they were retreating into the welcome shade and coolness of their home. Mary peeled off her spencer jacket, which was uncomfortably damp with sweat. “Thank you, Mrs. Hanley. I think we will take our walk earlier tomorrow morning. To avoid the worst of the heat.”
“Very good, Ma’am. And I’ve set some chilled lemonade in the parlor for you and the children, should you wish for some.”
“Lemonade? Good heavens, what a treat! Thank you, Mrs. Hanley.” Mary hastened into the parlor, scarcely less excited than her children. Alicia and Henry were already gulping it noisily, but Mary slowly savored her own drink – sharp, sparkling, and gently flavored with honey. Delightful.
“Excuse me, Sir.” Hodges, the butler, entered the parlor with a note for Tom. “But this arrived in the morning post.”
“Thank you.” Tom broke the seal of the letter and sat near his family, crossing his boots under the table. He began sipping his lemonade and reading the message with interest. “Ah! Here is some good news, at last. Sidney and Charlotte will arrive in Sanditon tomorrow!”
“What?” exclaimed Mary with delight. “I thought they would return to Benson Place directly after their honeymoon.”
“Sidney writes that they had some desire to return here. For two or three weeks, at the most.” Tom turned the letter over and smiled jovially. “This was posted last Sunday from Rome. What tales they will have to tell us all!”
“Auntie Charlotte is coming home, Papa?” Jenny asked eagerly.
“Auntie Charlotte is coming to visit,” clarified Mary, “and yes! She will be here tomorrow.” Jenny became so overwhelmingly cheerful at this news that she started to whoop and dance around the parlor. Alicia and Henry joined in with vigor, and Mrs. Hanley was obliged to shoo the children out of the parlor and upstairs towards the nursery. Mary laughed wearily as their noise faded out of earshot. “Those dear children are really getting to be too much to handle.” She looked at Tom, who was staring into the distance and was clearly lost in thought. “Will Charlotte and Sidney stay here, Tom?” she asked, bringing him back to reality.
“What’s that? Oh, no, they will keep their same apartment. On Waterloo Terrace.”
Mary smiled knowingly and reached for more lemonade.
“Do you know…I think we ought to persuade them to take a permanent residence here.”
“What?” Mary raised her brows. “Live in Sanditon?”
“Not full-time, of course. Sidney’s business dealings would never allow for that. But, if they mean to spend any sizable amount of their year here, they ought to establish their own household. Become part of the neighborhood.” Here Mary gave him a weary, upbraiding look. “I am by no means intending to profit off their residence!” he insisted, holding up both of his hands in mock surrender. “Only think how pleasant it would be to have them so near. The children would adore it. And I’m sure they would prefer Sanditon to city life, in time.”
“Charlotte loves London.” Mary reminded him. “And Sidney has always made it quite clear that his interest in Sanditon does not extend beyond the beaches, and our family.”
“Yes.” Tom mused. “Well. Nobody is perfect, as they say.” With a wry smile he held up his glass of lemonade. “To the honeymooners – may they arrive in safety,” he chanted, “and stay among us, for as long as fate may allow.” He gave Mary a cheeky wink, and with an exasperated smile she clinked her glass against his.