Actions

Work Header

Rating:
Archive Warning:
Category:
Fandoms:
Relationships:
Characters:
Additional Tags:
Language:
English
Series:
Part 12 of Sidlotte September Drabbles
Stats:
Published:
2024-09-12
Updated:
2025-09-18
Words:
600
Chapters:
6/?
Comments:
72
Kudos:
153
Bookmarks:
3
Hits:
1,506

I'm Sorry, Mrs Parker

Summary:

Day 12 - Overheard

Sometimes, a prompt sparks so many ideas, it’s hard to choose just one!
So, I decided to write several over the rest of the month.
When I started this first Drabble, it quickly became more than one scene in my head and so there will be more Chapters.

Thinking about Sidney’s reaction after the cove and his ill-advised inebriated confession in a public place, there is no way it wasn’t heard, so this is my alternative scenario.

Mr Stringer has come to speak with Mary Parker.

Chapter 1: Mary Has A Shock

Chapter Text

 

Mary stares.

 

Are you sure?

 

Mr Stringer fidgets.

 

I’m sorry, Mrs Parker. Gossip spreads fast.

 

She winces.

 

I appreciate your kindness.

 

Finding her husband, Sidney and Charlotte (if looks could kill!) in the study, she shuts the door.

 

We have a serious problem.

 

They are uncomprehending.

 

We must all leave tomorrow.

 

Still perplexed.

 

Inappropriate behaviour brings consequences. First, drunken rambling overheard in The Crowne, then an argument. In The Street.

 

Sidney huffs.

 

It will blow over, Mary.

 

She glares at him.

 

You presume, Brother! There is a solution.

 

Blank faces.

 

You and Charlotte must marry. By Special Licence. In London.

 

 

                            

Chapter 2: An Over-Reaction?

Summary:

Rest assured, there is much more to tell in this scenario!

I always thought it was a disservice to Mary Parker to have her capitulate so easily, especially when faced directly with her husband’s reckless and irresponsible behaviour. It would not have escaped her attention that she was responsible for the well-being of her guest.

So, let’s see how they all react to her announcement.

Chapter Text

 

Silence for a moment

Then, An Eruption

 

Sidney: I am NOT GETTING MARRIED!

 

Tom: Surely, you are over-reacting, My Dear?

 

Charlotte: I will return to Willingden immediately

 

They keep talking over each other, voices rising, until Mary explodes

 

BE QUIET AND LISTEN!!

 

Her family and guest are shocked into silence

 

(Readers, She Found Her Voice!)

 

Calmly repeating Mr Stringer’s Report



  • Drunken rambling in The Crowne 
  • Gossip flowing - a naked Cove Tryst!
  • Flirting by The River (The Maid)
  • Walking on The Beach
  • The Argument (he threw her over?!)
  • Disquiet over employee treatment

 

No One dares to meet her gaze

 

Aghast

 

Embarrassed

 

 

          

Chapter 3: Hard Truths

Summary:

Another Chapter for you, this is another Scenario that has really gripped my imagination. The initial inspiration came from a wonderful story by Withmoxie – Entirely My Fault, although the version I’m writing goes in a slightly different direction towards that Happy Ending.

Entirely Your Fault

https://archiveofourown.org/works/38097691/chapters/95166784

Continuing on, Mary has the floor now!

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

Mary continues

 

I thought you looked flustered, when I asked about the shells, Charlotte and No Wonder!

 

Looking at Sidney

 

Really, Brother, you were obliged to offer marriage

 

He looks embarrassed

 

Well, it’s a private cove

But you’re right, my drunken behaviour was ungentlemanly

 

Charlotte speaks up

 

It was merely an accident; I should not have wandered alone 

But my behaviour in the street was inexcusable, I apologise wholeheartedly

Really, I can return home

 

She and Sidney nod and exchange tight smiles

 

But then, Tom suddenly leaps to his feet

 

NO!  NO!  NO!

 

This is TERRIBLE! he shouts, pacing wildly

 

 

          

Notes:

So the question is, has Tom Parker suddenly discovered a conscience??

Chapter 4: The Wisdom of You Know Who!

Summary:

A Short Recap – Mary has an uncomfortable conversation with Mr Stringer, reporting the gossip around the town that has spread about her Houseguest and Mr Sidney Parker. She is discussing the situation with her husband and the involved parties.

Let’s hear what The Parker Patriarch has to say…

Note: This Scenario is taking place after The Street Argument, but before Charlotte has schemed with Georgiana to communicate with Mr Molyneux in London. Sidney is still in Sanditon.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

Mary relaxes

Her Responsible Husband

Protecting Charlotte’s Well-Being

 

Unfortunately, he shatters that illusion instantly 

Pacing Wildly 

Shaking His Head

 

The dreadful damage to Sanditon’s Reputation!

Dear Mary is correct, haste is imperative 

Unfortunate

However, A Gentleman’s Duty supersedes everything

Although, Sidney. Your Bride is tolerably attractive

I’m positive Her Family will be delighted!

 

He doesn’t notice the reaction to his words, or that he avoided extreme injury

 

The rest of the day is a blur of packing

 

A letter is hastily written, for dispatch to Willingden

Charlotte dreads Her Father’s Response

 

Be careful, My Dear. of Everything

 

They depart tomorrow

 

 

          

Notes:

A Little Extra! Or the moment fratricide was nearly committed

As His Brother was speaking
Sidney was standing by The Mantlepiece
Fixated on a Statue Head
He heard Mary gasp
Saw the Medusa Glare at Her Husband
Miss Heywood winced

He clenched his jaw tightly
Drumming his fingers on the ledge
Utterly offended by the tone and offensive attitude
He briefly considered flinging the ornament
At His Brother’s Head

Gritting his teeth, he knocked the object over instead
Oddly Satisfying
And started reciting Latin Verbs in His Head
Before rapidly following the Ladies out of the room
Deciding he would prefer a quick swim instead
His Brother didn’t notice The Room was empty
For Quite Some Time

Chapter 5: An Awkwatd Dinner

Summary:

Here’s our next Chapter, let’s see how everyone is coping with the situation.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

Tom is chastising his Houseguest 

 

Really, My Dear

I intended Sidney to marry for my our advantage 

Financial, Social Opportunities 

 

Charlotte steels herself

 

No wonder Poor Mary needed my company!

 

The topic of discussion intervenes

 

Good Lord, Tom, stop being so offensive

My matrimonial status is not your concern

 

He addresses Charlotte directly 

 

Miss Heywood, let us take a private walk

There can be no objection, considering our ‘betrothal’

 

Tom does open his mouth

A swift kick from Mary silences him

 

Sidney stands, offering his arm

Charlotte accepts

 

I like him much better like this

 

They leave the room together

 

 

           

Notes:

I appreciate all the wonderful readers who are so positive and encouraging. But
sometimes, we receive comments that start in a positive way and then degenerate into negativity, which is completely unnecessary. Thankfully, these types of comments are the exception, but it’s still frustrating when it happens, especially when it's a struggle to manage updates.

So, I just want to say that there are many factors affecting stories being updated and it’s something we do when we happen to have a little free time from all the aspects of living that everyone has to deal with. We write for FREE because we love the characters and their story. As I constantly say in our FB Group, it’s really important to encourage fan fiction writers, so let’s be positive and understanding if updates are less frequent than we would like, or we risk discouraging them from continuing.

Chapter 6: Getting To Know You

Summary:

So, here’s the next part of this Drabble Story.

Recap – Gossip has spread through Sanditon concerning the interactions between Charlotte & Sidney, which has been brought to Mary’s attention. The obvious solution to potential scandal is to get married quickly!

Chapter Text

Pelisse

Bonnet

Gloves

Overcoat

Top Hat

Cane

 

The reluctant couple promenade on the sand

Stopping to admire the sunset

Sidney recalls a previous enjoyable encounter 

And a subsequent purchase in London 

 

Easily the most beautiful woman of my acquaintance 

In my limited experience

Contrary to certain assumptions

 

Hoping to move past their recent difficulties

Sidney attempts conversation 

 

Miss Heywood, Charlotte 

I apologise again

Trapping you into matrimony never entered my mind

My preference to remain unwed indefinitely 

But rest assured

Ignore My Brother’s ramblings 

I will be proud to call you My Wife

And vow to be an honourable Husband 

 

               

Series this work belongs to: