Music began to play and elegant couples started to move. He couldn't take his eyes off Charlotte, she was incredibly beautiful today, and her magic smile and ringing laugh took his breath away. "He makes her laugh, and I made her cry, I hurt her... "in hearts thought Sidney, and sensed as guilt heavy weight generalship on his heart of. Every movement, every gesture, every touch, every glance of Lord Broome's at Charlotte brought him unbearable pain, but he could not stop looking at them.
- Oh, Mr. Parker, are you looking for someone?- Lady Wooster, who had just come up, asked with a smile, and following his gaze, continued - oh... Charlotte... well, of course!!!
Sidney looked down in silence, and lady Susan smiled again.
- Aren't they - they're a wonderful couple? They look great together - lady Wooster continued, enjoying watching Sidney struggle to cope with emotions - he looks after her so beautifully and takes such care of her. Charlotte deserves it. I would be very surprised if Lord Broome did not propose of a marriage to her soon.
It seemed to Sidney that his whole world had suddenly been turned upside down. He was unable to breathe, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, his brows furrowed, and a deep, anxious frown creased his forehead. Jealousy seemed to flood him.
All these metamorphoses did not go unnoticed by Lady Susan, and judging by her smile, she really liked what she saw.
- Oh, Yes, Mr. Parker - she continued - may I congratulate you on your engagement to Mrs. Campion?
Sidney looked around sharply, as if he'd been slapped in the face by her. When he saw Charlotte, he forgot all about the engagement and Sanditon. More important was the fact that she was dancing now with another man in this room. Sidney felt sick and nauseated, and he sucked in a desperate breath to keep from betraying his emotions.
- It is true that this engagement was so unexpected and hasty for many people - continued lady Susan, as if nothing had happened.
He met her gaze steadily, and for some reason decided not to lie to her.
- It was just circumstances - Sidney said - I didn't have a choice.
- It didn't surprise me at all, considering how much effort Mrs. Campion put into closing all the doors in London for you - Lady Worcester said calmly, raising an expressive eyebrow.
Sidney felt as if he had been suddenly doused in icy water, and opened his eyes wide, unable to believe what he had just heard.
- But..What ?... How do you ... - Sidney began.
- How do I know? -Susan asked with a smile - I know everything that's going on in London, Mr. Parker. Please excuse me.
Lady Wooster gave him another mischievous smile again and moved away to join the other guests, leaving Sidney to struggle with the frenzied stream of thoughts she had just generated in him.
"Charlotte and Lord Broome, is everything settled? Did she still have any feelings for him? Eliza and the damn deal, how? How could she do this to him? What for? Eliza knows he doesn't love her."
Everything was mixed up in his head, the music was playing louder and louder, the couples were dancing faster and faster, not giving Sydney time to recover, and he seemed to be torn apart. With a last effort of will, he stopped this cycle of thoughts and made the decision " Charlotte is the most important thing today, I must talk to her, the rest later."
The music ended, and the couples applauded each other and dispersed. Sidney watched Charlotte converse sweetly with Lord Broome, smiling at him, and he felt a pang of jealousy again, his whole being telling him, " she must be mine and mine alone." Charlotte turned as if looking for someone in the audience and met Sidney's eyes. He couldn't tear himself away from her. Charlotte looked at him the same way she had that night after the regatta, when he had come to tell her that she was the only one with whom he was getting better. A small spark of hope lit up in Sydney's heart, and without hesitation he went to meet her.
- I'm sorry to interrupt - Sidney said, coming close enough to address them both.
- Miss Haywood - Sidney said loudly - would you do me the honor of inviting you to the next dance, if you haven't already been invited?" - and looked straight into her wide eyes.
Charlotte's face flushed again, and she lowered her eyes for a moment, then lifted her chin and looked at him.:
- Yes, of course, thank you.
Sydney was elated, she agreed to dance with him, he could touch her, look at her, admire her features. He was even more delighted to find that during their brief conversation she had not once looked at Lord Broome, who had been very much annoyed at Sidney's appearance and was now regarding him with obvious displeasure.
To his deep regret, Sidney realized that Broome was not going to leave just like that, either. He was facing a strong opponent with much greater financial opportunities than he had, and certainly with fewer problems. Broome was rich, handsome, gallant, interesting, and quite intelligent, almost the dream of any single girl.
"Do I have the slightest chance? Can I hope for?"These questions drove Sydney crazy.
He looked at Charlotte again, grasping her gaze as if it were a lifeline, and was rewarded by her. Charlotte smiled back at him tenderly and accepted his outstretched hand. In her eyes he saw again the mischievous twinkle he loved so much, saw his Charlotte, whose tender words and caustic remarks he had missed so much in these past long days.
It was only a question of compatibility, he thought, and he smiled at her tenderly, because he knew that the woman he was now walking hand in hand with was the only one who could make him happy. "She's the one. Only Charlotte. I must return her at whatever it takes"
The pairs took their positions. Sidney stared at Charlotte, intoxicated by this long-awaited intimacy. The music began, and Charlotte put her slender hand in his, and Sidney felt the warmth spread through his body, giving vent to all the tenderness that had accumulated in him during their separation. The other hand rested on his shoulder with a pleasant weight, giving them a sense of togetherness. Gently pulling her to himself, Sidney put his hand on her waist and felt the burning touch of her beautiful body, he was overcome by an incredible trepidation and excitement.
Charlotte fluttered in Sidney's capable, strong arms, unconsciously clinging to him even closer, unable to resist the pull that had come between them. Charlotte gave herself up to his hands and eyes again. She could not and would not resist the fire that came from Sidney and warmed her tortured soul. If only for a moment, she forgot all the pain and tears she had lived with all those days. Their hearts was racing along with the rhythms of the dance. Charlotte looked into his amorous eyes and gasped at her own feelings, slowly melting away from the smile so dear to her heart. With him, she felt loved, desired, and most importantly absolutely happy.
Charlotte was so close again, he could feel her breath and smell her wonderful hair, her proximity intoxicating, giving birth to incredibly vivid fantasies in his head. Her lithe body, moving in time with his own, was driving him crazy.
It seemed to both of them that all that was in this room, all the people and other sounds, had disappeared, there were only them and the music that drew them along, giving them moments of incredible happiness and intimacy. They seemed to merge in a single impulse, unable to break the connection that had so magically arisen between them.
When the music stopped, Sidney and Charlotte continued to stand in the middle of the room, eye to eye, hand in hand, like newlyweds at the altar, unable to tear themselves away from each other for a second. Their hearts were beating in unison, and each was willing to give anything in the world to keep this moment from ending.
The applause brought them back to the harsh reality. Sidney reluctantly pulled away from Charlotte, but couldn't bring himself to let go of her soft hand immediately, still warming her with the hot warmth of his own.
- Thank you, miss Haywood - Sidney said, his voice trembling with excitement as he walked with her to the end of the Room, so as not to disturb the other guests.
She only lowered her eyes, unable to control her own emotions.
Sydney tried to guess what she was thinking, and he had to find out. He desperately wanted to talk to her as he had before, he wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh, even her reproaches and taunts were more welcome than this ringing silence.
- A.. I - he began, but Charlotte beat him to it:
- What's new in Sanditon, Mr. Parker? - she asked, with a slight, courteous smile that she tried desperately to hide her excitement.
" Mr Parker. Mr. Parker again."He wanted her to call him by his first name. He needed it.
- In Sanditon? - he asked, remembering this place with joy and sadness - the restoration work is almost complete.
- How well- not hiding genuine joy told Charlotte - and how are Tom, Mary and children? it's been so long then I've had a letter from her, since I came to London.
- They're all right - he smiled at it in the answer, said Sydney, he was incredibly touched by such its concern and warmth relative to his family and already in which times for today thought how much he loved this fragile young woman.
- Tom is here at the ball, and we came with him alone. He's got a new idea for Sanditon, and he's planning a real joust there! This will attract all the world and allow us to pay back your debts. And most importantly, he found all the money! This is just incredible! - he said with a smile.
Charlotte thought for a moment and looked him straight in the eye.
- Oh, Sidney, this is so wonderful! - Charlotte exclaimed, almost laughing with joy.!!- I'm so happy for Tom, for Sanditon, for all of us!
She was smiling and he couldn't help but smile back.
Sidney's heart leaped. She called him by name, by name, for the first time, she smiles at him again, and she said " us." That short word made his heart beat faster. Sidney dared to hope again.
He looked at her tenderly, unable to suppress a smile.
- To be honest, he's here to draw attention to his Grand project at Sanditon only - Sidney said and stopped, looking at her.
- And you? - she asked, fascinated.
- And I'm here because I've been longing to see you again, Charlotte! - he said, looking her straight in the eyes and panting with excitement.
Charlotte was so stunned by his admission that she couldn't speak. With her eyes wide open, she just stood and stared at her beloved man, and waves of uncontrollable joy filled her entire being. Charlotte smiled at Sydney.
- Oh, Sidney, there you are - Tom's voice seemed to wake them both - I couldn't find you anywhere, I need your help negotiating. Tom came closer, and only then recognized Charlotte.
- Cha... Charlotte, my dear, it's been a long time since I've seen you, I'm so glad, I didn't know you were here - Tom chattered, and put his arm around Charlotte's shoulders like a daughter.
It was so touching that Sydney couldn't help but smile.
- I'm very glad to see you, too, Mr. Parker - said Charlotte, with a smile and a warmth in her voice that made Sydney feel so good - What about Mary and the children? I really missed them.
Tom began to talk about the children, and Charlotte listened with interest and laughed at the stories of their pranks. Looking at their peaceful conversation, Sidney knew that they were the closest people to him - his family. And Charlotte was an integral part of it.
- Sid...Your brother told me that you are planning a jousting tournament at Sanditon - said Charlotte in an enthusiastic voice - this is an incredible idea, and everyone will love it!"!! That's wonderful, Mr. Parker!
- Yes, thank you Charlotte - he said smiling - it was a real insight!!! But we still have a lot of work to do here and very little time! Sydney, I'm sorry, but I really need you - Tom said pleadingly.
- I beg your pardon, miss Hеywood - Sidney bowed and reluctantly followed the Tom, leaving Charlotte with her new friends. When he turned around, Lord Broome was standing beside her again, talking cheerfully. Charlotte smiled. Sidney clenched his fists and silently followed his brother, trying not to look back.
- How do you like this evening, Miss Heywood?- Lord Broome asked, trying to rouse Charlotte from her deep reverie.
- Oh, Yes, everything is wonderful - said Charlotte, and smiled politely.
- Were they your friends? - broom asked.
- Oh, it was Mr. Tom Parker and Mr. Sidney Parker - said Charlotte - I was recently staying with Tom and his wife, Mary, at Sanditon, which is such a small seaside resort town. They received me very warmly.
- But it must be incredibly boring to spend the summer in such a godforsaken place - tried to keep the conversation Broome - there is almost no society, it's not London or even Brighton.
- No you are not right - with a smile said Charlotte - there live wonderful people, and there is not at all boring, and in General I think that the days spent there were the happiest in my life! I'm sorry, but I must speak to Lady Wooster.
Charlotte curtsied and went in search of her hostess.
Charlotte soon found her and told Lady Susan about Tom's great idea and how she wanted to help him. She was so carried away and excited by the idea that Lady Wooster could not refuse her.
Miss Heywood was overjoyed; she went from Room to Room in search of Tom... and Sidney. She knew how to help them with the tournament. A sense of joy and excitement seized her. It seemed to Charlotte that she was back in Sanditon with the people she loved. Sidney's presence made the evening magical and incredible. Charlotte could not help thinking of the engagement and Mrs. Campion, jealousy and pain tormented her, but today, when he was so close, she felt such indescribable delight that she forgot everything in the world.
Charlotte found them in the main hall, Tom and Sidney were talking to a group of gentlemen.
She came up to them, the young men saw her and bowed in greeting, and Charlotte curtsied.
- I'm sorry, Mr. Parker - Charlotte said, turning to Tom.
- What's wrong, Charlotte? - he asked.
Sidney turned too, and he was thrilled to see her again, alone, without Broome, but he could only guess at the reason for her appearance. They moved away from the group.
- Lady Wooster has allowed you to address the entire Assembly and tell everyone about the Sanditon tournament - Charlotte said, almost in a whisper.
Tom and Sidney were surprised. Sidney looked at her with adoration, unable to find words of gratitude that would be worthy of her action, and Tom seemed completely speechless.
- Follow me - Charlotte said confidently - and Mr. Tom Parker, pull yourself together, you'll have to make a speech!
Tom cheered up, and Sydney smiled, beginning to finally understand how this fragile-looking girl had become the love of his life.
But at last all were silent, and the master of the ball gave word to Tom. All the high society seemed to stand still and wait for his words. To Mr. Parker's credit, he did very well. Tom greeted the audience, bowed, smiled and in his usual emotional manner masterfully presented his magnificent and ambitious project. When he finished, the room was deafeningly silent. Everyone seemed afraid to break this silence. Charlotte and Sydney looked at each other nervously, trying to find support in each other. Neither of them knew what to expect.
A loud, single clap seemed to cut the air, breaking the silence that reigned in the main Hall, and a man's voice said loudly:
- Fine. This is what we need. I like it.
The entire audience turned at his voice, wondering who it could be. The tall, stately man who stood under the arch next to Lady Wooster removed his mask and addressed Tom :
- Mr. Tom Parker, we accept your invitation.
A whisper of "the Prince Regent"," this is the Prince Regent", "he's here after all" went through the hall instantly, and a few seconds later the hall was drowned in applause. Sydney and Charlotte looked at each other, smiling, not believing that this was really happening. For the first time since that ill-fated fire, these two loving hearts were close to each other, and even for a moment, they were happy. It was a real triumph for Tom Parker and all Sanditon's campaign.
#Sanditon #Sanditonfanfiction