Chapter Text
‘I fear the wind has brought your painting session to an abrupt end,’ Mr Hugh Bryson observed. ‘May I assist you to pack away your apparatus?’
Augusta’s opinion of their new acquaintance soared to new heights. ‘Thank you Mr Bryson, that would be most kind of you.’
Hugh insisted on carrying Augusta’s easel to the ladies’ carriage, which was waiting on the Sanditon promenade. Daisy, their youngest housemaid was sitting inside the carriage, wrapped in a blanket. When Daisy saw the three of them approaching she jumped up, wide-eyed. She fitted the blanket around her shoulders and opened the carriage door, trying not stare at their male companion.
‘We have finished our painting session,’ Augusta told her. ‘We are ready to return home now.’
‘Very good, ma’am,’ Daisy took Augusta’s rolled up paintings from her and placed them carefully under the seat.
‘I am glad we have finished here,’ declared Leo as she clambered into the carriage. ‘I am frozen.’
Once inside their carriage, Leo turned angrily to her cousin. ‘You should be more careful what you are about, Augusta. Father will be furious. We know nothing about Mr Bryson or his family. He obviously knows about us, more specifically you, from Mr Parker. Another fortune hunter, I’ll be bound.’
‘I found him charming. He certainly had quick reactions and the foresight to save me a fortune in paper.’
‘Augusta, you laughed at him. He did look a buffoon in that ridiculously tall hat.’
‘I thought it emphasised his height.’
‘He’s old!’
‘You think anyone over the age of five-and-twenty is ancient. I might remind you that I am not a girl fresh out of the schoolroom myself.’
‘Besides, I thought you had sworn off all men in order to concentrate on your art studies.’
Augusta thoughtfully twirled a curl of her hair between her fingers. ‘So I did.’
Unfortunately for Augusta, her cousin Leo was proved right. Alexander could barely contain his anger. He bellowed at Augusta. ‘We are a respectable family. Augusta, what were you thinking, encouraging an acquaintance with a stranger chance met in the street? Clearly your maid is not a fit chaperon for two well-brought up young ladies. From now on I insist that Charlotte accompany you both on future expeditions.’
‘I cannot promise to do that,’ Charlotte objected, swiftly. ‘Mrs Wheatley and I have so much still to do organising the Heyrick Park Christmas Ball.’
‘Then Augusta and Leo must stay at home,’ Alexander said brutally. ‘There will be no trip to the Pavilion for afternoon tea tomorrow.’
‘Alex, you cannot!’
‘Uncle!’
‘But Father!’
Charlotte, Augusta and Leo protested at the same time.
Alexander put up his hand. ‘Enough. Charlotte, I am sure you and Mrs Wheatley can find plenty to occupy Augusta and Leo, with all preparations you are making for the Christmas Ball.’
Leo made a disgusted ‘Huh’ sound and ran out of the room.
Augusta dared to stand before her uncle, shaking with frustration. ‘I – I cannot disappoint Mr Bryson by not visiting the Pavilion tomorrow. After assuring him I would be there. What will he think of me?’
‘It may seem harsh but as your guardian I must keep you safe, you know that.’
‘Safe from fortune hunters, I know. But uncle, I was little more than a child when Edward seduced me. I was swept up in the excitement of thinking I was in love.’
Annoyingly, Augusta felt angry tears pricking her eyes. She tried blinking them away. ‘I am a grown woman now. Must I for ever live with the consequences of that one mistake? Mr Bryson is polite and unassuming, the opposite of Edward. Can you not trust me to make my own decisions?’
Alex frowned. ‘It is not your decision to make.’
Charlotte stepped up and put her hands on Augusta’s shuddering shoulders. ‘Come away now, my dear.’
As Charlotte guided a still tearful Augusta out of the room, she whispered. ‘There will be other opportunities to meet with your Mr Bryson if you wish it, you will see.’
Startled, Augusta looked up and met her eyes. Charlotte gave her a warning glance and a minute shake of her head. ‘Come, Augusta. Mrs Wheatley and I need help deciding on the guest list for the ball. You are far more intimately acquainted with the families on the Sanditon social circle than I.’