Chapter 1

May 1853

Shannon View

Sanditon

Dear Lizzy,

We are all anticipation for your arrival in Sanditon. Mr Parker is all concern that we will need more space at Shannon View, and though we have already assured him that the estate will suit you and our extended family admirably, he frets constantly that you will want to take a house on the terrace. Alas, with so many of our friends arriving from town, he has let the largest house, which he was holding for you, go to Antony and Arabella. It was kind of the viscount and Lord Matlock to agree to take houses at Sanditon for the summer and encourage their friends to follow.

Anne even took a small but elegant townhouse of her own, provisionally. If it goes well, Lord Matlock will consider letting her move to her house in Bath with a companion for part of the year. Parker has planned all manner of entertainments, and your gift to Mama of a lavish wedding will lend a celebratory air to the seaside this summer. Mr Parker believes this summer will finally put Sanditon on the map.

The main house and the dower house are all prepared. Kitty is so pleased with how the decorating turned out. I thank you again for the subscription to Mesdames élégante Maison, and the other design periodicals. And so clever of you to have Hatchards collect as many old editions as possible, I have learnt so many tricks to create elegant results. Upon touring the main house, Lady Paxton has asked me to visit her in London when I next travel there, to assist her in selecting fabrics and papers for a new bedchamber for her daughter, who will leave the school room in a twelve-month. Kitty does well in society here, and with the household. Brandon was so kind in allowing us to stay all spring to get the houses ready for the house party and Mama's wedding.

I know you are waiting for me to mention him , but he has not been at Sanditon these last four months. I am told that he is to visit this week, for a few days, during which he is to meet with his brothers to discuss business. Mrs Parker says he is wild to leave before the wedding entertainments begin, understandably. He is to arrive tomorrow.

I feel like such an idiot, adrift at sea over some man I have had three conversations with, have danced with once, and who probably barely knows I am alive. But I cannot help but feel a great deal of anticipation, though the man is still mourning his love. I am not even hoping he will notice me. It will be a balm to my heart just to see for myself that he is well. I have gone on long enough. Lizzy, do not ever tell anyone what a goose I am. I cannot bear for anyone to know but you. We dine at Trafalgar House tonight. I will tell you about it in the morning before I post this letter.

NEVER MIND! He is just as I first thought. Cold, and cruel, monstrously unfeeling! We arrived at Trafalgar House last evening to learn Mr Parker had arrived a day early and did not take well to dining in a party. When I spoke to him in the drawing room after dinner, when he had situated himself near me, and it seemed that to have some conversation was inevitable, he called me a vulture. He then asked why I thought he would ever wish to speak to me, after the memory of our last meeting, when he learned of the death of his love in my presence. I could have forgiven this had he not continued to liken me to the desperate ladies in London who wish to trap him, then savagely insulted my looks and my intelligence. Apparently, some investment he has made with Miss Honeybourne's father has done remarkably well, and Mr Parker has quite the elevated opinion of himself as a result.

Mrs Parker could see that something was amiss and endeavoured to keep me close to her for the rest of the evening. He did not stop at insulting me. He made poor Miss Tidmington cry. Brandon was outraged, but at mine and Kitty's plea, said nothing. Mr and Mrs Parker came immediately after breakfast to make their apologies, admitting that they have learnt the hard way that Mr Parker is not ready to return to Sanditon's gentle society. He is to move to the inn and will not join his family at Trafalgar House for dinner unless they have no guests. Mrs Parker believes that due to a detail of their business, their brother will have to remain in Sanditon longer than he wishes and he is desperate to be gone before the wedding. He cannot go soon enough for me!

Your Goosey Sister,

Lydia