And yet there will be happiness...

Back to Sanditon

The sun was already setting, preparing to surrender its rights, and was carefully distributing its last Golden rays. The fresh sea breeze was blowing her long, curly hair carelessly, as if it were playing catch-up with it, tossing it back and then returning it to her face in waves. Charlotte didn't seem to notice. Looking out over the vast blue expanse of the sea, she felt free and light, like a bird soaring up.There was peace and love in her soul, probably for the first time since she left Sanditon. Charlotte suddenly wanted to dissolve in the last rays of the setting sun, Golden threads stretched through her and feel one with such a great element as the sea.
Charlotte couldn't help but smile; everything she saw and felt now reminded her of Sidney. His presence was felt everywhere, in the enchanting sound of the surf, in the occasional cry of the gulls, in every dainty shell so generously given by the sea. She seemed to feel his hot breath on her skin, and to feel the warmth of his strong arms around her shoulders. The illusion was so complete and vivid that Charlotte was embarrassed by her own boldness. The incredible attraction to Sidney was so strong and new and unknown to her that it sometimes frightened her. The power that his eyes, his velvety voice, his soft hands and lips had over her was almost limitless, as Charlotte had seen at the ball. His nearness was intoxicating and maddening, making her heart beat faster and faster.
"He'll be here in Sanditon soon! I'll see him again!"these thoughts both frightened and pleased her at the same time. In her heart, she wanted to throw herself into his arms and hide from the world, but she knew it was impossible and wrong. ""He's still engaged! Be careful!"
She shook her head to clear it, and looked out at the sea again. The sun had already set, allowing the milky twilight to take its rightful place, and the fairy tale was slowly melting away, bringing with it a bit of sadness and vague hopes."It's time to go home."

Charlotte had a difficult and busy day.
When she woke up, she didn't immediately know where she was. The carriage rocked steadily from side to side, not wanting to let her go from the captivity of dreams. Charlotte looked out of the window and breathed in the wonderful fresh air, a light breeze touching her dark curls and spreading them over her shoulders. She stared at the huge water meadows, they seemed to be everywhere, as far as the eye could reach, a sense of incredible freedom and a kind of childish delight seized her. How she missed it in the gray and noisy London, with all its luxuries it could not for a moment compare with what she saw and felt now. "Soon I will see the sea!"This thought warmed her inside and gave her incredible energy and strength.
She will be the representative of the Prince Regent! Who would have thought that? The idea itself was so incredible that it seemed to Charlotte that it was just a wonderful dream and she was about to Wake up.
- My dear girl - lady Susan said with a smile as she led Her on her way - you will be the best representative, you are so well-read and you know so much about tournaments that you can easily wipe the nose of both Parkers. And your wit will surely serve you right.
- It's such an honor for me, Lady Susan - Charlotte said, a little embarrassed  - and such a responsibility, but... - she added with a smile - I will never let you down, thank you!
- It will be announced that I am not well, and therefore we are not going out in public - said Lady Wooster, more seriously.
- Yes, my Lady - Charlotte agreed humbly.
- Lord Broome will miss you, my dear - Susan said with a sly smile - He kept talking about you at the ball.
Charlotte blushed with embarrassment.
- My Lady - she began - Lord Broome is a very good man and very kind to me, but... I... - she stopped, unable to find the words.
- I understand, Charlotte - said Lady Susan, leaning forward a little and looking her straight in the eye - but I want you to know your worth. .and I didn't do anything stupid.
- The letter from the Regent is already in your Luggage - Susan continued more cheerfully.
She came over and put her arm around Charlotte's shoulders.
- Thank you, Lady Susan-with tears in her eyes said Charlotte - I am so grateful, I do not know what I would do without you.
- There, there, Child - smiling answered Susan - wish you luck, I'll join you slightly later, write as you get there.
Lady Wooster closed the carriage door and waved to Charlotte.
This was a few hours ago, and now Charlotte was racing at full speed towards her dream and soon, perhaps around the next bend, she would see the sea again.
Her thoughts went back to the day of her arrival at Sanditon, and what a storm of emotions and feelings for all that was new and unknown had come over her then. Sitting in the carriage next to Tom and Mary, she burned with excitement and anticipation of something great that might change her life forever, whether Charlotte could guess how true her feelings and thoughts would be. Probably not.
Now, with the passage of time, returning to such native and beloved places, Charlotte finally gave herself the right to feel all the anguish that all these months she had stubbornly hidden even from herself. She missed Sanditon desperately, and most of all, she missed the Parkers. Sidney was her soul and dearest person, he was always present in her thoughts, but his family also became a real family for Charlotte. She missed talking to Mary terribly, missed the children and their pranks incredibly much, and even the absence of Tom, who was obsessed with his ideas, made Her very sad. And dear Arthur, something inside her always rejoiced at his presence, he was extraordinary and sometimes strange, but very kind, Charlotte appreciated him. How she would have liked to return to the sweet home where she had been so warmly received the last time, to be once more at peace and quiet, as if this bitter separation had never happened. But...Not this time. She is not a guest of the Parker family now, but an envoy of the Prince Regent. Charlotte would have to stay at a hotel; she knew it was necessary, but she was very sorry for it.
How does she meet them? What could they say to each other with Mary? How will they look each other in the eye again? Charlotte was a little shy at the thought, but the desire to meet her did not beg. When she saw Tom at the ball, she was so touched by His warmth towards her that it still warmed her soul. They were Sydney's family, and today, more than ever, Charlotte wanted them to be her family, too. She smiled at her thoughts and looked out the window.
The bright sun blinded his eyes, illuminating everything with an incredible glow. Charlotte took a deep breath of air, happy to recognize its familiar smell and taste, which she would never have confused with anything else. The carriage turned and she finally saw the cliff and... sea. Her heart stopped for a moment at the sight, the vast blue expanse of distance seemed to take her hand and give her new strength to go on.