Once Upon A Time In Clare.

Chapter Four.

There was an uncomfortable silence at the table, only broken when the waitress returned with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. "Now here is your wine, would you like to order or do you need another few minutes" "The fish special is lovely if you like fish.
Would you like a starter?"

Charlotte spoke "no I won't have a starter but I would like the fish special as a main.  It sounds delicious fresh trout with blackberry jus, samphire and seasonal vegetables. I have never tried samphire so I am interested to taste it. It is a seaweed?"
"Yes it is a type of seaweed which is harvested locally. The trout is also local as are the vegetables. Gentlemen do you need anything. More wine perhaps"

Sidney answered the waitress, "I am fine, what about you Charles. Wine?"
"Another glass of Burgundy please" said Charles. Thank you" "I will bring some water for the table, if you need anything else let me know." Charlotte smiled at the friendly waitress saying "thank you, I am really hungry so I am looking forward to my main."
Seeing how hungry she was Charles said "would you like some of our bread while you wait.  We have plenty, please take some."

"That is very kind Charles, I will if you don't mind. You don't want to see me when I am hungry. It isn't a pretty sight, I can be very snappy" "Sidney pass the bread to Charlotte I don't want to see her snappy side. I might just hide my knife just in case." Charles pretended to hide his knife under the tablecloth. "You are quite the joker, are you the funny man to your friend's straight man?"

Sidney tried to disguise a smile, this Charlotte was so perceptive, irritating but also intriguing. She was so normal, no facade even her clothes were casual. She looked stunning in her black skinny jeans and red Bardot top. Her curves were more pronounced than when he had seen her earlier. She was quite the irresistible package of curves and curls. Not his usual type who were of the Amazonian model variety. 

He was a bit shy in her presence which was unusual for him as he normally had little difficulty speaking to women. Women would frequently approach him rather than he chase them. His profile as a desirable man had increased due to that embarrassing magazine article.  Although most men would be delighted with this but not Sidney. These women wanted to be seen with him for the fact that they might be photographed with him. He was almost like a new accessory for them.
These women had more interest in the idea of Sidney rather the actual Sidney.

"Hello Sidney are you with us" said Charles. " "Yes Charles, what do you want?" "So polite isn't he Charlotte, a thorough gentleman. Our steaks have arrived along with Charlotte's fish. It looks amazing Charlotte enjoy" "Thanks Charles I certainly will. Enjoy your steaks Charles and D'arcy" Charles sniggered at this and tried to keep a straight face. He could see that Sidney was a bit irritated.

"Why did you call me that Charlotte? I  am nothing like him bar the dark good looks of course. I think that I am more of a Henry Tilney than a Fitzwilliam D'arcy" Charlotte stared at  him and said "you actually know Austen characters, I am surprised I thought that you would be more familiar with Marvel characters.
You are definitely not Henry Tilney he is far too charming and affable to be you. Most definitely a D'arcy, all aloofness and arrogance."

"What I am not either. Charlotte furrowed her eyebrows saying "really that is not the impression that I got when we meet earlier.  Your tone was very condescending but maybe that is the way that you speak to all your subordinates. Very authoritative I am sure, it wouldn't work on me though."
Sidney continued eating his superb steak while Charles attempted to ease the tension. "How is the fish, Charlotte are you enjoying it? What do you think of the samphire?" "I like it although it is a bit too fishy for me. I a glad that I tried it though.

The food is so good, I didn't expect it to be so good in a pub. The wine isn't bad either. Are you having dessert?
I might try the cocktail special, luscious but lethal I think." "The chocolate fondant sounds really good. Sidney what about you, dessert? It might sweeten you up" "Charles really you are looking for trouble saying that. I am super sweet, a puppy really. I will try the chocolate dessert.

Will we move on somewhere else after this? I wouldn't mind sampling a few Irish whiskeys. There are at least two other pubs. We could do a mini pub crawl?"

Charles finished his wine and said " I don't mind staying here. There will be music at 9, it might be fun. You can show everyone your smooth dance moves. Anyway we can't leave our lady Charlotte here on our own." "Charles please do not worry about me, I am perfectly able to mind myself. You will just miss my drunken sashay to my room. It will be equally graceful and grotesque. Not the behaviour of an Austen lady. You should enjoy your tour of the pubs."

"Why are you here in a rural pub in County Clare Charlotte" asked Sidney.
"Well straight and to the point D'arcy. No preamble I like it. Well if you really want to know I am here for the Matchmaking Festival. My friend Esther persuaded me to come, it seemed like a good idea at the time. I am not sure now. It is a bit cringeworthy isn't it. At least I might have fun even if I don't meet my match. "

Sidney was surprised to think that someone as witty and beautiful would need to come to such an event. Surely she would have her choice of men, he admitted that he was one of them.  Maybe they should stay here in this pub for the night.  Looking at Charlotte he steeled himself and said "Charlotte I want to apologise for the way I spoke to you earlier. I was very rude and insulting" Charlotte looked at him in disbelief and facing him said  "perhaps you are more like D'arcy as you do not have the talent of conversing easily with those that you aren't acquainted with. Thank you for the apology. Now I think I might try one of these cocktails. Excuse me Bingley and D'arcy while I retire to powder my nose."

Charlotte left the table and asked Charles to order a cocktail for her.
Charles gestured to the waitress who came to their table. "Hello what can I get you?" "Could we have two chocolate fondants and one cocktail special." "Thank you I will bring them to you in a few minutes" Charles thanked the waitress and asked Sidney if he wished to go on somewhere else. "I think that I would prefer to stay here, there is a nice atmosphere. The drinks are good too. We must order some whiskeys after dinner.  I suppose we can't leave Charlotte here on her own."

"Oh you have changed your mind about her then Sidney. She isn't just a pedestrian maid then. I must say that apology had seemed very genuine. You could have knocked me down with a feather. It isn't your usual style Sidney.  Is there a tiny bit of attraction to Charlotte?

Charlotte had been on her way back to the table when she heard Charles's question. It did seem that he was sorry for his rudeness earlier.  It surprised her  as he seemed like the type that never apologises. He is quite an interesting man, full of contradictions. 

He was a very handsome man which didn't hurt. Maybe it was just a physical attraction and nothing more.
She took her seat at the table and saw that her cocktail awaited her. "Cheers to my wingmen for tonight.  Wow this cocktail is nice, I might just have another to make sure." "Cheers Charlotte said Charles and Sidney.

"Charlotte we will stay here tonight and keep you company" said Sidney.  That is if you don't mind. "Not at all, I am looking forward to see your famous dance moves. How is your line dancing?"

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