July 27th, 1890 — The Sanditon Resort
Linford Manwaring

Eloise knew her reconnection with Julius had made her somewhat distant from Linford. Being so near her lost love left her feeling like a teenager again, so overwhelmed with possibility and longing. The three year long letter exchange hadn't prepared her for this, though she supposed it ought to have. In their letters, it was easy to pretend she wasn't a married mother of three. That she hadn't abandoned love for duty. That they might have been happy.

She was an awful wife.

After an exciting morning spent on the beach with the kids, Eloise had settled in the office with Linford. Not even an ocean's worth of distance between his business was enough to stop him from working. It was to be expected, of course. The markets rose and fell as easily as the waves seen out of the window, but Eloise had hoped he would be a bit less focused. Perhaps, if he were less determined to work she wouldn't be so consumed with Julius.

Closing her book, Eloise looked towards her husband. He was handsome, moreso than most Englishmen. Many had criticized him for his native heritage, but it was what drew her in. The tan skin, the dark hair...he was the exact opposite of Julius, which was likely why Eloise had managed to avoid growing this distant in a decade. "Are you enjoying the summer?" She asked lightly, breaking the comfortable silence. "The boys are delighted."

  

The weddings were over and so was Ford's "vacation." Though they were spending the summer and his compatriots at home knew this, that didn't mean he could just drop everything connected to the company and ignore his other responsibilities. Still, it was a nice balance, to be able to spend the mornings working and then try to take the afternoons and evenings with his family (and extended family). It didn't always happen, but he tried. The Sandition had yet to disappoint and most importantly, Eloise seemed happy here.

He was nearly finished when his wife joined him in the little study he'd been using for an office. She settled with a book and he tried to get through the rest of what he needed as quickly as possible. Though he knew she was busy with social engagements and seeing her family, he hadn't exactly been able to spend the right amount of time with her since the weddings were over and he felt guilty about it.

He put his signature on one last document and rolled it up just as she spoke. "Though it doesn't seem it I'm sure, it's most relaxing." Ford chuckled, rounding the small desk to perch himself on the ottoman before her chair. "I apologize for working quite so much." The guilt over it was eating away at him. "Are you enjoying yourself?" That was what really mattered. And the children of course.

---

  

His work habits were to be expected. Investments didn't stop their reporting because one was traveling, and when an investor was as talented as Linford was extra diligence was required. Eloise understood, probably more than her husband was aware.

"Trade doesn't cease when you leave," she answered lightly with a smile. Besides, his working meant she was free to engage with Julius whenever the opportunity arose. If the opportunity ever arose, that was. "I'm enjoying it greatly. I didn't realize how much I missed being home." A lie, of course. Eloise missed her family and English society greatly. While she loved and respected Linford, the tribes were a bit too savage at times for her tastes.

  

Appreciative as he was that his wife understood, Ford was still feeling guilty about the workload. Holiday simply wasn't a word in his vocabulary unfortunately. This was as good as it got but if being here made her happy, it made him happy. Ford sealed the last document and summoned someone to post it for him, leaving it in the foyer of their suite.

He moved back to his wife, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm glad we got to spend the time then. We should try to make it over more often." It wouldn't be easy, but he could spare a couple of weeks, maybe a month if he planned ahead. Plus it would be good for the boys to get to know their mother's family better as well. "I should be done for the evening, what is it you would like to do with our time?" He could think of a couple of ideas, had some suggestions ready to roll if she needed inspiration, but was happy to do whatever it was she wanted.

---

  

Eloise knew better than to hope he'd pull through on the sentiment. Linford's work would take over, Rosalind would need to be escorted around society, the bloody sky would fall, and she wouldn't be permitted to return home. The thought of it left her breathless, a gaping hole of longing as wide as a cannon's blast for a singular auburn mop of curls.

"Would you care for an evening stroll?" She offered. The sky was clear throughout her morning and afternoon with the children, so the stars should be shining in their glory. "I could have the boys dressed to accompany us if you'd like time with them as well."

  

The proposal hadn't prompted the response he'd expected, but Ford was wise enough not to push the issue. He could make it work, or perhaps she and her sister could come without him every once in a while and he could join them whenever possible. It would do everyone some good to be around family more often, not to mention he could use a break from his own.

"I'll take the boys out tomorrow, let's have an evening to ourselves, yes?" He passed her a warm smile. They didn't get nearly enough alone time as he would have liked, but such was life unfortunately. Just another thing to add to his long list of things to feel guilty about. "Would you like to go now, or do you need a minute to get ready?" He could use with a quick splash of water on his own face, but could make due if she was ready to go now.

---

  

"They would love that," Eloise smiled. Whatever her feelings for Julius, Eloise would never deny that Linford had made an excellent father to their children. In fact, his parenting abilities was the foremost reason she cared for him as deeply as she did. "I'll tell Nanny to have them ready for the afternoon tomorrow."

She stood from the chair and smoothed any creases from her dress. "A minute to freshen up would be excellent. I'll meet you in the drawing room shortly." Then, without offering any further sign of affection, Eloise left to do just that.