Work Text:
Mr Hugh Bryson collected his coat, gloves and hat and stepped out into the street. A blustery wind swirled salt spray along the promenade. Hugh wryly recollected letters from his friend Mr Tom Parker praising Sanditon’s ‘health-giving, bracing sea air’.
Approaching the bandstand, Hugh noted with interest that two young ladies had set up painting apparatus within it. They were arguing.
‘I wish to continue painting, Leo. Now the clouds are clearing, the light is just right.’
‘Augusta, please let us return home. I am frozen to the marrow.’
Ignoring Leo, Augusta attempted to attach a piece of paper to her easel. ‘Oh no!’ She cried out in horror as a gust of wind whipped it out of her hand.
Hugh reacted instinctively, catching the paper just as it was about to be blown out to sea. ‘Ladies,’ he managed, while struggling to politely remove his hat with one hand and hold the fluttering paper with the other. He must have made a ridiculous figure as the lady called Augusta let out a most unladylike bellow of laughter.
‘Please excuse my rudeness, sir,’ she said. ‘I must thank you for rescuing my paper. My guardian ordered it especially from London. It is too expensive to waste.’
Hugh handed back the paper and bowed properly. ‘Mr Hugh Bryson at your service. I have newly arrived in Sanditon with my grandmother.’
‘Welcome to Sanditon, Mr Bryson. I am Miss Augusta Markham and this is my cousin Miss Leo Colbourne.’
‘I am delighted to make your acquaintance Miss Markham, Miss Colbourne. I am a friend of Mr Tom Parker. He often mentions your family in his letters.’
Hugh picked up a painting from where it had been lying, weighted down with stones, on the floor of the bandstand. ‘This is a fine sketch of the Pavilion, Miss Markham.’
‘You are kind to say so. You must visit the Pavilion during your stay. The interiors are remarkable.’ Augusta decided to take the chance of appearing improperly forward towards a stranger. Ignoring Leo’s incredulous stare, she boldly continued. ‘The perfect time to bring your grandmother to view the Pavilion would be tomorrow afternoon. Leo and I will be taking tea there. With Leo’s stepmother Charlotte as chaperon, we may all be properly introduced.’
Hugh bowed, smiling. ‘It will be my pleasure, ladies.’
Hugh returned to his rooms at The Grand Hotel as if walking on air. How fortunate that on his first day in Sanditon he should encounter the one lady he had most wished to meet. Even though she had laughed at him, there was nothing he desired more than to become better acquainted with the beautiful and bold Miss Markham.