And yet there will be happiness...

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She took a deep breath of the fresh sea air, looked at the vast expanse of sea before her, adjusted her cap, and breathlessly stepped into the cool water. She felt an incredible excitement, sinking back into the water element and dissolving into millions and billions of drops. Her breath caught in her throat as the sea water gently wrapped around her body, holding her maroon bathing shirt tightly against it. The sea seemed to caress her, glad to see them again, and invited her to a magical dance that gave her ease and release. Charlotte closed her eyes and felt her body relax and give itself up to the elements, as her thoughts were carried away somewhere in the distance, making room for joy and peace. She took a deep breath and did what she had been dreaming of for months, and Charlotte sank into the water. During those seconds spent underwater, the most vivid moments of her life flashed through her mind. The sea has generously bestowed her with their energy and power. As she surfaced and took a deep breath, Charlotte suddenly felt like a different person, a new person, firmly committed to her goal and undoubtedly able to achieve everything. She could feel the excitement of the events that the future held for them, but now she knew that together they would manage everything. The water lulled all her fears and gave Charlotte new strength to go on.
The swim came to an end and she returned to the bathing machine. After performing all the accepted rituals, including hot water bottles at the feet and active wiping, Charlotte finally went ashore. It was early in the morning and there were almost no tourists on the beach. After a moment's thought, she decided to stay a little longer and enjoy the peace and serenity that the sea provided. She spread the small blanket she had brought with her and sat down on it, enjoying the view. The sun gently caressed Charlotte, and the fresh sea breeze played merrily with her still damp hair, Curling it into beautiful dark rings and tossing it over her shoulders. She smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying the simple things around her.
- We did manage to swim together, miss Hеywood - Sydney's voice whispered, almost to her ear. She opened her eyes abruptly, thinking for a moment that her fantasy was too far-fetched, and turned toward the voice. Then she came face-to-face with Sidney, who was crouching on her shoulder and looking at her with a smile. Charlotte recoiled from the shock, but quickly regained her composure. After a cursory glance at him, she finally understood the meaning of his words. Sidney was in shirt and waistcoat, his handkerchief was tied carelessly, his coat was in his hands, and his still damp hair was in beautiful little curls. He swam, too, as did she.
- Mr. Parker, you scared me - finally said Charlotte - I didn't hear you coming, I thought I was alone here.
- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you -  he said- I was just going home and couldn't get past when I saw you. The view was too spectacular. I couldn't resist.
Charlotte blushed and looked down.
- I see you made it to the sea after all - Sydney said, lightly touching the tips of her still-damp hair, making her even more confused.
- Yeah, and apparently I'm not alone - said Charlotte, slightly squinting and making an incredible effort to make her voice sound as usual.
He smiled back at her.
- Yes, you are right - he said, and pointing to the free part of the blanket - can I sit down?
She was surprised by his question, but she could not refuse him.
- Please - she said shyly, moving a little and freeing him a place.
The blanket was not very large, and when he sat down next to her, he felt the warmth of her body. Her proximity suddenly made her head spin and her heart began to beat its crazy rhythm. With an effort, he pulled himself together and looked at Charlotte, who was clearly confused and rather agitated.
- What were you thinking, Miss Heywood, when I accidentally startled you? - asked Sidney.
- J... I enjoyed the sun and the sea and thought that sometimes such simple things bring us so much joy - she said.
- It's true, Miss Heywood, that sometimes a glance from your favorite eyes is enough to make you feel happy - Sidney said, looking at her.
The color returned to her cheeks.
- Yes, i suppose you're right - Charlotte said quietly.
They sat so close and looked at each other in silence, not daring to break the idyll that had arisen. It seemed that they were all alone in this world, and everything around them-the sun, the sea, the wind - was created only for the two of them.
Sidney was the first to break the silence:
- How is your family, Miss Haywood? - he asked . 
- They are all well - answered Charlotte with a smile - I only yesterday received the letter from Allison.
- Are you very close to your Sister? - he asked - it must be great to have a family that understands you and has someone to share it with.
- Yes, we are very close, I share everything with my Sister - Charlotte began, but stopped - shared... earlier, now everything has become much more complicated.
- I understand - he said - sometimes you just can't afford to say anything, no matter how much you want to.
Charlotte looked at him gratefully. Now Sidney was close to her as no one else, he understood her, all the time they were separated, he felt the same pain and despair, and now just as she lived in the hope of happiness.
- I got a letter from Lady Wooster yesterday - Charlotte said, trying to change the subject so that she wouldn't cry in front of Sidney.
Sidney tensed visibly at the thought of her London suitor, Lord Broome.
- Any news? - he asked, trying not to betray his excitement.
- Oh, Yes, Lady Susan has done us a great service - Charlotte said with a smile - she and Lord Broome have drawn up a list of gentlemen who want to participate in the tournament and have the opportunity to make an entry fee. The prize Fund will be formed from these contributions. You won't believe it, but there are already more than thirty people on the list, incredibly, this will be a real tournament.
"Lord Broome again" flashed through his mind, and images of Charlotte laughing on his arm came back to him.  He took a deep breath, fighting off the dreadful images.
- What is it, Sidney? You don't have a face on you - he heard Charlotte's voice excitedly.
He looked at her. Charlotte was clearly worried. Sidney realized that he couldn't hide his thoughts and feelings.
- No, no, it's all right - Sidney said quickly.
His words didn't seem to comfort her at all, and Charlotte's face was still troubled. He could not tell her the reason for his concern, could not Express his displeasure, or directly ask her what her relationship with Lord Broome was. Being engaged to someone else, Sidney had no right to do so, and all he could do was burn with jealousy and believe in Charlotte's sincere feelings. He smiled at her, but Charlotte continued to look at him suspiciously, her eyes narrowing slightly.
- This is very good news, Miss Heywood - Sidney said, trying to get back to the previous topic. - Tom will be happy, his guest houses will finally be rented out and bring a lot of money.
- Quite right! - Charlotte agreed - but that wasn't all. Lady Wooster offers us her beautiful horses for racing, it's so generous of her. I don't know how to thank her.
- You have excellent friends, miss Heywood - he said with a smile.
She looked down again, confused, and didn't answer him.
- I got a letter from Babbington - said Sidney - he and Esther and his sister Augusta are planning to come tomorrow.
- Oh, that's wonderful - Charlotte said with a smile. - maybe they have some ideas they want to share, too.
- Perhaps - Sidney agreed, and went on, - Lady Denham is having a dinner to celebrate their arrival. Invitations came in last night, one of them yours, and Lady Denham must have thought you were visiting Tom again.
- Great - with enthusiasm said Charlotte - so we can discuss everything. I still need to discuss with Mr. Stringer's question regarding the expansion of the stables or the construction of enclosed paddocks for Lady Woоster's horses. We somehow missed this moment.
The mention of Stringer irritated Sidney, who didn't like the idea of Charlotte seeing him alone. He remembered all too well the words stringer had told him after the regatta that winning the race was not the prize he had hoped for. Only now, tormented by jealousy, could Sidney fully appreciate the meaning of these words.
- Miss Haywood - he said - I would not advise you to meet Mr. Stringer alone.
- I wonder why? - Charlotte asked indignantly.
- Because you are a young unmarried girl - Sidney said with difficult - and you should not spend so much time alone with a young man.
- Oh, really? - Charlotte was really angry - but I'm talking to you right now.. . in private. Why is Mr. Stringer worse than you?
This comparison is incredibly hurt Sidney. He felt his jealousy begin to grow into resentment and anger, but there was nothing he could do about it. He jumped to his feet, unable to control his emotions.
- So that's how you see it? - Sidney said. Charlotte could hear the metallic note in his voice, but his remark stung her so much that she couldn't stop herself. "How could he think that about her? Mr. Stringer is my friend" she thought angrily. Sidney's opinion of her was so offensive that she could not understand that the reason for his words was the banal jealousy of a man in love.
- Yes, that's right! - she exclaimed, jumping up to her feet and looking him straight in the eyes - I do not see much difference between you and Mr. Stringer and don't see why I should exclude him from the circle of my communication.
Sidney felt as if he'd been slapped. Jealousy, pain, anger, all mixed up in his head, he was shaking from the sudden surge of emotions. He realized that he urgently needed to leave before he said too much and spoiled an already terrible situation.
- In that case, miss Heywood - he said through clenched teeth - I dare not detain you any longer and impose my company. Have a nice day.
He bowed to her, turned, and walked toward the city without looking back. The storm raged inside him, and he clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles turned white, but Charlotte didn't see it.
She was left alone on the beach, tears trickling down her cheeks, taking deep breaths as she tried to recover. A minute later, Charlotte bitterly regretted all the words she had said in the heat of the moment. She loved Sidney, and she never compared two men, it was just impossible. Charlotte wanted desperately to run and catch up with Sidney and explain, but she didn't dare.

Charlotte studied the stables expansion project Stringer had sketched out after she'd told him about Lady Wooster's horses. James set to work with enthusiasm, and in less than half an hour the preliminary draft was ready. Charlotte once again said to herself, what Stringer is still talented and grasping on the fly. He listened carefully to all requests, but never went on about it, if it could harm the project. It was easy and pleasant to work with James, and she could only be glad that he was the architect of the tournament.
- That's great, Mr. Stringer - Charlotte said with a smile. - I think Mr. Parker will be pleased, too.
- Which one? - stringer asked.
- I hope both of them - Charlotte said quietly.
Her thoughts returned to the conversation on the beach and the quarrel. Charlotte was sorry for what had happened, but she didn't know how to fix it yet. The last thing she wanted to do was argue with Sidney.
- Miss Heywood, are you all right? - Stringer said excitedly, looking at her.
- Ah, Yes, i'm fine  - answered Charlotte - perhaps I am simply tired.
- I can see that you are very upset about something, Miss Heywood - Stringer went on - perhaps it is none of my business, but I think it is not without Mr. Sidney Parker, who has offended you again?
Charlotte was taken aback by his words and did not immediately find something to say.
- Thank you for your concern, Mr. Stringer - Charlotte said at Last - but as you correctly pointed out, it's really none of your business. I'm sorry, but I have to go now. I promised Georgiana and  I would visit her. Have a nice day.
- Have a good Day - Stringer said.
Charlotte curtsied and left the office, leaving him to his own thoughts.

Trafalgar house was bustling. The children ran around the house with shouts of joy, tearing down everything in their path. Mary tried to calm them down as best she could, but she couldn't do it yet. Arthur was playing solitaire with Sidney and Mary. Sidney tried to finish his letter to the wood supplier, but the noise in the house and his own thoughts about Charlotte kept him from focusing on the case. Like Charlotte, he immediately regretted what he had said. How could he doubt her? Fool. No wonder she resented him. He knew that he should apologize as soon as possible. Sidney gathered himself up and finished his letter. Now he could completely immerse himself in his own thoughts and figure out what to do next.
The front door opened and the owner of the house appeared on the threshold.
- Mary, dear, I'm home - he said loudly.
Immediately the sound of children's feet was heard, and children ran from the next room shouting " Daddy, daddy is back" and ran to hug him, almost knocking Tom off His feet.
Mary came out of the dining room.
- Children, children - she said sternly-leave your father alone, let him undress. And in General, quickly go to the dining room, now we will have dinner.
The children released their father and ran to the dining room.
- Thank you - said Tom, kissing Mary on the cheek. - I thought I'd never get out.
Mary smiled back.
- Where's Charlotte? - she asked- did you invite her to dinner?
At the mention of her name, Sidney stiffened and became all ears.
- I met her at the office, she came to talk to Stringer about expanding the stables. - Tom said - I invited her to join us, but she refused, citing a strong employment. And she was very sorry to you, Mary.
- Oh, what a pity, I wanted to see her so much - Mary said sadly.
- Don't worry, dear - Tom said with a smile - I think Charlotte will definitely be there. I gave her the invitation.
Mary smiled back at him.
- Well, brothers  Parkers, go to dinner - she said and went into the dining room.
Sidney knew that the only reason Charlotte hadn't come to dinner was because of their argument. He felt guilty for not being able to control himself and quell his own jealousy. It made him incredibly angry.
- Arthur, are you going to Lady Denham's tomorrow for dinner? - Tom asked.
- Yes - he said - I will accompany Georgiana, she asked me to.
- Splendid! Splendid! - said Tom - but please, Arthur, I could do without the antics, like last time with the pineapple.
- I'll try - Arthur chuckled.
- Sidney, do you think Lady Denham will like our project and all the innovations? - Tom asked - We haven't told her the details yet
- How the hell should I know? - snapped Sidney, and followed Mary.
Tom looked at Sydney in disbelief, and then at Arthur.
- What's going on? - he asked - did I miss something again?
Arthur just shrugged in response.

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