#Esther/Babington

[g-l-o-w-y-l-i-g-h-t-s]

Ok so I just watched S1 of Sanditon and I actually love Esther/Babington. Basically she goes "Hey I'm extremely traumatized and no longer feel capable of love in the way you might want" and he goes "Ok. Wether or not you can feel love for others, you still deserve to be loved. You make me happy and I want to make you happy too." Excellent. Finally some good fucking food.

[phantomstatistician]

Tag: AUSTEN Jane - Works

Sample Size: 4,904 stories

Source: AO3

[jaeausten]

I believe you met your husband here last summer, Lady Babbington? Have you any advice for one hoping to find a good match of her own?

[ariadnethedragon]

CHARLOTTE SPENCER as ESTHER DENHAM

SANDITON (2019-23)

[behindfairytales]

Charlotte Spencer in Sanditon (s1-2) as Esther Denham

[thelastpagc]

need more love interests down bad horrendously for a main character who barely gives them the time of day

[viavolterra]

honestly at the beginning of the show i despised Esther but she was just a girl in love (yes with her step brother but he was clearly the aggressor) and willing to do anything for that love

Edward was the real villain, constantly manipulating her, even ruined her first chance with Babington all the while he was messing around with Clara (another that was just doing what she could to survive idec)

Im just glad Babington came back and noticed the strange hold Edward had over her

We may not have got Charlotte and Sidney's happy ending but im happy Esther got hers

wHaT dO yoU mEaN tHiS iSn’T hOw It WeNt?

[colins-bridgerton]

kate's 365 days of ships:

day 29: lord babington & esther denham sandition

[agrippinaes]

PERIOD DRAMA APPRECIATION WEEK 2023 day 7: free choice favourite romantic pairings catherine x peter from the great / esther x babington from sanditon / kate x anthony from bridgerton / louisa x spiro from the durrells / mary x francis from reign / mary x matthew from downton abbey / paddy and eoin from sas: rogue heroes / patsy and delia from call the midwife / victoria and albert from victoria / violet and amelia from harlots

[regencysource]

Charlotte Spencer as Esther Denham / Babington in "Sanditon" (2019 - 2023) [video source]

[historicalreusedcostumes]

This elegant green dress with embroidery on is worn on Kelly Hunter as Lady Steyne in Vanity Fair (2004) and years later worn on Charlotte Spencer as Esther Denham Babington in Sanditon (2022)

[jaeausten]

Oh Miss Denham? I won’t be put off you know...

[dynastymusesarchive]

FULL NAME: lord james babington

FANDOM: sanditon 

GENDER: cis male 

PRONOUNS:he/him

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: straight 

WANTED DYNAMICS: esther babington, oc’s/crossover friendly

[behindfairytales]

Charlotte Spencer in Sanditon (s1-2) as Esther Denham

[mirdaniaa]

a start

Post-finale. Esther pays Edward a visit.

read it on ao3 if you wish

The chapel doors creak open while Edward is changing out the altar cloths. He starts to turn and see who has come to visit, but he knows that walk, that scent. Wisteria. Lemon verbena. A hint of cardamom. 

He whirls around, locking eyes with the woman before him. “My dear sister. I thought that was you darkening my doorway.”

“Dear Edward,” Esther hums, cocking her head to the side with a smirk. “When I heard you had entered the clergy, I was sure there had been some mistake. I had to come and see for myself.”

He folds the altar cloth over his arm. “You came all this way just to see me?” He clucks his tongue. “What did Lord Babington have to say about that?”

“Now, Edward, don’t flatter yourself; I didn’t come all this way just to see you,” she says with a wide smile. “I came to see our dear old aunt. You may recall, I’m the only one of her nieces and nephews that she particularly likes, and I’m the one who will be inheriting her fortune. What sort of living does a reverend make?”

“A respectable one,” he answers mildly. “When I have my own parish, I will have enough to support a wife.”

She laughs out loud. “No, Edward, I don’t think so. No woman will be fool enough to marry you when she hears what sort of man you are.” She steps closer, wisteria and lemon verbena and cardamom drowning his senses. “Your reputation will follow you wherever you go. I will make sure of that.”

He smiles, tilting his head. “How sweet, and yet…how sad. Even after all this time, you cannot bear the thought of sharing me with another woman.”

A muscle twitches in her cheek, but her smile does not waver. “My dear Edward, you assume that there is another woman who wants you.”

“Plenty of women want me,” he says smoothly. “Perhaps you did not hear, but I jilted Augusta Markham.”

“Augusta Markham is a girl, not a woman,” she scoffs. “She knows nothing of the world, and even less of the men in it. You should have married her when you had the chance; you’ll never have another one like it.”

“One never knows; life can be so unpredictable.” He drapes the cloth over the altar. “Tell me, how is my son?”

She opens her mouth to answer, but Edward keeps talking.

“I always thought you would be the one to mother my child. Do you ever regret, as I do, that he–”

“Don’t,” she says, her voice low and the smile gone from her face.

He tilts his head again, watching her. “How do you know what I was going to say?”

“Because I know you, Edward.”

He is the one to take a step closer to her now. “And I know you, Esther. You did not come all this way to visit our aunt. Even after all this time, even after everything that has passed between us, I am still the only man in this world who holds any interest for you.”

She huffs out a laugh. “You are deluded if you think you still hold any interest of that kind for me–”

He lifts a hand to her jaw, his fingers curling in the red hair at the nape of her neck. “I think we both know that I do.” And with that, he kisses her.

Wisteria, lemon verbena, cardamom.

Esther yields to him for a brief, pleasurable moment…and then she slaps him. He pulls back, only mildly deterred. 

“Ow.”

“Did you really think it would be as easy as all that?” she demands, but there is a glimmer in her eyes. “That after everything you put me through, I would simply fall into your arms like the credulous Miss Markham?”

“I suspected you would put me through my paces.” He runs his thumb across her lower lip, feeling himself stiffen against his breeches. “What is it you want me to do, Esther? What humiliation will convince you that you’ve won?”

“Oh, I know I’ve won,” she says in a voice like silk. “But this isn’t about who’s won. This is about remorse and repentance. As a clergyman, you should know that.”

“I see,” he says with a smile. “In what way would you most like me to show my remorse?”

She lifts her chin. “You can start by begging. On your knees.”

He never takes his eyes from hers as he slides his hand down to her waist, turning her around so that her back is against the altar. Still looking at her, he lowers himself to his knees, his hands resting lightly at her hem. “Like this?” he asks quietly.

She grips the altar behind her. “As I said. It’s a start.”

[madame-r]

Currently watching Sanditon Season 3 after catching up with the first two seasons.

It’s actually not that easy to find contents or analyzes about this show. If you have some, please send them my way. I won’t dive too deeply into Sanditon myself, but here is my quick take on it.

*SPOILERS*

❤️ What I like :

The Original Soundtrack

Ruth Barrett did an amazing job in Season 1. Here is an interview which dives into her process as a composer.

The Overall Aesthetic

I am not immune to a slick take like Emma (2020) which is visually stunning, but I’ve noticed that my taste in period drama movies and tv shows leans toward a more naturalistic look.

Yes, Pride & Prejudice (2005) atmosphere, especially the cinematography by Roman Osin, ruined me.

Georgiana Lambe x Arthur Parker

It’s refreshing to see a friendship between a woman and a man for once. They balance each other out with one who can’t escape people’s scrutiny and the other being constantly overlooked.

Esther Denham x Clara Bereton

The Frenemies. Somehow despite their antagonistic relationship and their twisted behavior, at the end of the day, they have each other’s back. I want more women’s solidarity in stories.

James Stringer

Second lead syndrom ?

Sydney Parker’s death

Not that I wanted him to die but I enjoy the fact that they didn’t brush it under the rug and showed how this event affected his entourage.

Charles Lockhart

I didn’t see that twist coming. I was sad because I love him and his dynamic with Georgiana and Arthur. But I enjoy hating him while re-watching the show.

They did his character a disservice by bringing him back in the third season. It doesn’t ring true to me. Despite himself, I believe he caught some feelings for Georgiana and Arthur along the way.

Samuel Colbourne

I may have a thing for dark hair light eyes men ? Well, he is definitely less boring than his brother.

❌ What I don't like :

Basically? The romantic relationships.

Charlotte Heywood x Sidney Parker

Alright, yes the sexy low voice of Sidney works on me too. But what’s left when you go beyond physical attraction between them ? A man who belittles Charlotte at every turn.

It’s infuriating how many times she apologizes to him when he just barely apologize to her once.

To put a spin on his love declaration : I do not think that Charlotte is her best self with Sidney.

Esther Denham x Lord Babington

The man wore her down and for him, no means yes. Dude, let the woman become a rich heiress and decides what she wants in life. And the all thing about wanting a baby because it’s what Lord Babington deserves ? It reaaally rubs me the wrong way.

Charlotte Heywood x Alexander Colbourne

Oh the all “let’s hook up with my boss” thing. Charlotte wants to financially sustain herself but tried to be a governess once and then gave up ? Sure, she had to stay in Sanditon for the sake of the show’s name but still...

Also, Alexander is boring because he acts like a male lead, brooding, playing with dogs and riding horses but he is not fleshed out. And how many times can he change his mind in less than ten minutes ? Seriously ?

Too bad, I was really curious about the Colbourne household life. Mrs Weathley is such a mood.

And again : what’s left when you go beyond physical attraction between them ?