When I'm with you

Doubts

-.... This is about Eliza Campion. Call me back as soon as you can. I'm waiting, " Sidney's voice said.
Georgie practically flew off the couch to answer the call, but Crowe intercepted her just in time, blocking her way.
"Let me go, I must tell him everything," cried Miss lamb, violently pushing Francis away from the coffee table.
"I don't think that's the best option," Crowe said calmly.
"What? What are you talking about? we have to tell everyone, we have to report it to the police!", Georgiana said.
"What are you going to tell the authorities? That they fire Sanditon?", he asked, "Do you have any proof?"
"No... but the recording... the message on the answering machine" , Georgie kept saying, "Edward had confessed that they had set the office on fire."
"Just the ravings of a drunken man, apart from the context and other evidence, doesn't mean anything at all," Crowe said.
"Why are you always like this?", she exclaime, "always looking for flaws in me and in everything I do."
"Like what? I'm just a realist, Georgie. And I'm not looking for flaws, I'm just looking for weaknesses in your plan", he answered, "You'd know that if you weren't trying to see the catch in every word I say."
"It's just that you always say -" began Miss lamb.
"I say what I really think, like you do" Crowe interrupted, "You could have listened for once."
Georgie was suddenly ashamed of her behavior, of the way she had treated Francis all this time. She lowered her eyes, knowing full well that she would never have the courage to admit it.
"You could have made it clearer" she snorted defiantly, unsuccessfully trying to hide her embarrassment, "go guess what you want there."
" Now, that's what I said," grinned Crowe looked at Georgie, "it's easier for you to bite me than figure out the real reason.."
" Hey, I don't recall hiring you as the therapist", muttered Georgie, "well, we're just going to stand here and talk about my bad character, or try to nail this bitch?"
"What do you suggest?" Crowe asked condescendingly, " break in on her and torture a confession out of her blue lips?"
Georgie glared at him, knowing in her heart of hearts that he was right. Emotions were now superfluous, it was necessary to act clearly and deliberately.
"We could have her followed," she suggested, "in case Edward ran to her. We could film their conversation."
"I think you've read a lot of detective stories," he said, " Edward is an idiot, but not Eliza, she's not stupid enough to fall into such a simple trap."
"So what? We're not going to do anything else?", she threw in the hearts, " just sit back and watch as she continues to destroy the lives of Charlotte and Sidney?"
"No, I have an idea," Crowe replied with a sly smile, "I know one person, who know averything about Campion's finance. He has enough connections to do everything quickly and quietly. This could give us evidence that she paid Edward to keep quiet. And maybe something else...."
"Do I know this man?",  Georgie asked.
"Yes," Francis said, dialing a number on his cell phone, "And full well..."

He pulled the horse's reins and looked at she. She smiled back at him. In her pale beige riding breeches and cream silk blouse, his companion was simply irresistible. Her long hair was elegantly braided with a ribbon to match her blouse. Her lips and eyes are lightly made up, completing the already perfect look.
"I thought you were going to leave right after the party," Broome said, eyeing her carefully.
"I've changed my mind," she said, smiling and narrowing her eyes slightly.
"Charlotte Haywood? Isn't she?", he asked, looking around as if he didn't want their conversation to be over heard, "it's been a long time since I've seen you so involved."
"Not only that, there are some other people I'm interested in," she said cryptically, " you don't see me for a long time. I'm sure I can still surprise you."
"I don't doubt it," he said with a smile.
" As far as I can see you couldn't resist another Miss Haywood?" she asked, raising one eyebrow expressively.
"Yes, that's right," he replied calmly, despite the fact that his heart was suddenly beating a frenzied rhythm."What do you want to say? Like my sister will tell me that Allison isn't the right person for me?"
" No... Elinor and I have very different views on family happiness", replied his companion, "I think you should choose the one with whom you want to live the rest of your life... but your sister really loves you and cares for you... in a very peculiar way."
"Because of her concern, I didn't go back to my parents' house for two years, so that I wouldn't accidentally meet another Danish or Hungarian Princess in my bathroom, " Dan muttered.
She laughed for a moment, looking even more beautiful than she was.
" You must forgive Elinor", still smiling answered she, "you know, your perfect wedding with the perfect bride - this is her thing."
"I'm sorry, Susan, but this is too much," he said sadly, "She has her own life, her own family and children, I think she just needs to leave me alone."
"I agree," said Lady Wooster, smiling enigmatically, "so, did you terminate your contract with Eliza Campion?"
" Yes, there are some minor formalities, but in General...", he began, but suddenly stopped and looked at her intently, "wait, how do you know?"
"I know everything, my dear," said Susan, looking slyly at her cousin, " Charlotte ans Sidney should be more careful with Mrs. Campion, and I'm sure this won't be the last time she does it. I've done some research on it. All sources say the same thing. It's best not to mess with her. Big money, big connections, even bigger ambitions..."
"Everyone has their weaknesses," Broome said.
"No doubt," said Susan, " and we'll find them at Mrs. Campion's."
He nodded and gave her a meaningful look.
"Tell me about Allison," she finally said.
"Why? You already know everything, " Broome teased, smiling.
She laughed again, throwing her head back elegantly.
" I would like to hear it from you", she answered, slyly narrowing her eyes, "it's so nice to see you in love, consider it my little Thing..."
"Allison is a real miracle, I'm ", Dan began, but the phone in his pocket interrupted him.
When he pulled out the phone and looked at the caller's name, he frowned and turned to Susan.
"I'm sorry, I need to take it," he said apologetically.
"I won't bother you," said Susan, giving her Mare a little spur and steering her around the Park, "see you later. I decided not to leave Sanditon yet."
He smiled at his departing cousin and pressed the "reply" button.
" Yes... Is something wrong?.... Yes, I can contact her ... Yes... I understand... what should I look for?... what period?.... Yes, of course... no problem....so who did you want to know about?... what do you have to do with this? ... I hope you'll explain to me later what I'm getting into right now?.... well, see you tonight"
He looked at the display and dialed another number without thinking. A pleasant female voice answered.
" Hello, Catherine", he said, unconsciously smiling at the interlocutor, "I'm back to you for help.... I need all the financial data on one person and all the firms associated with it.... Yes.... for the last five years... Yes, I know it will be a big job, but I will not remain in debt... I'm sure you can handle it... Yes, of course... I'm interested in Mrs. Eliza Campion....."

He opened the door and let her pass in front of him. She looked wearily around the hall and listened for sounds. It was quiet, and the beautiful house on the edge of the pond was empty. Relieved that the children were still gone, Esther went into the living room and collapsed on the sofa. The events of the day seemed to have drained all the energy from her, turning Mrs. Babbington into a pale and tortured copy of herself. Once at home, next to a loved one, Esther was finally able to relax and give vent to her emotions. She covered her face with her hands and wept bitterly. The tears she'd been holding back so hard for the past couple of hours burst out of her like a powerful river, tearing her soul apart and simultaneously giving her the relief she needed. William sat down next to her and held her gently to his chest. Her fragile body shook with sobs, but he did not give up, gently stroking Esther's back and whispering in her ear such necessary words. Gradually, she went limp, trusting to his warmth and caress, and hugged her husband tightly, as if to hide behind him from the rest of the world. It was at least an half an hour before Esther was able to let go of William and return to real life.
He smiled at her, stroking the back of his hand gently.
" I'll get you some food", he said", i'm sure you haven't eaten anything since morning. You can't go far for coffee."
" Thank you", barely heard answered she, slowly getting up from the sofa, "I'll dial Sophia, with this story I completely forgot to call her."
"Left your old aunt to fend for herself," Babbington joked, getting up briskly and opening the refrigerator, " she don't forget this. Perhaps even anathematize."
"Me might even have to run away from the city to avoid her wrath," Esther said.
"Call a taxi?", Babbers answered, "don't worry if I hold her up."
Esther laughed and he felt a wonderful feeling. His wife was coming back to life again, despite Edward and everything Esther had been through.
"Oh, my God, Georgie, what are you crazy?", Esther suddenly exclaimed, looking closely at her phone, "67 unanswered and 15 text messages, Oooh... it's the same for you. We'll have to come up with something more or less plausible to calm her down."
"Let's say we were abducted by aliens," he said, smiling.
"I'm afraid this isn't going to work for our Georgie," she muttered, studying the answering machine on the table. The Board read "Listen to messages again?" and below that "you have one new message"
"Did you use your answering machine today, Will?", she asked anxiously, looking around nervously, as if searching for someone invisible.
"No," said Babbers, who was busy cooking.
With a trembling hand, she pressed the first "repeat" key. The answering machine spoke first in her voice, then in Edward's. The machine played all three messages, then Sidney entered the game.
She raised her eyes and looked at William. Her heart was pounding like crazy. It became difficult to breathe. Esther jumped to her feet and ran around the living room, startling Babbers by her behavior.
"My God, what's going on with you?", William exclaimed, grabbing her hand and holding her tightly, "Edward is not here. He will not appear in our lives again."
"You don't understand, Will, someone was at our house and listened to these messages before us!," Esther exclaimed in horror, still looking around - "someone has broken in here and he knows all about Edward.... and the fire at Sanditon... God, what if he's still here?... we need to call the police right away!!!"