And yet there will be happiness...

You are lost

The morning was overcast. The town was slowly waking up, entering a new day and wondering what it had to offer. The streets were deserted, except for small merchants hurrying to their shops, and a couple of dogs scurrying between them in search of food.
The carriage was on time and she was ready to leave.With a heavy sigh, she took one last look around and got into the carriage.
She was angry, disappointed, and a little depressed. Her well-thought-out plans were not destined to come true, they all dared to go against her will. This God-forsaken little town had upset her again, as it had the first time she'd left after the regatta, alone, without Sidney. This circumstance depressed her most of all.
The horses started, and the carriage lurched along the cobbled streets of Sanditon. She opened her reticule and took out the letter that the messenger had brought just before she left. Eliza hadn't read it yet, but she could guess its contents. Mrs. Campion no longer had any illusions about Sidney Parker, but she didn't want to give up. She opened the letter and began to read.
"Eliza, I am addressing you as a sane and reasonable person. Now that you know the true state of things and have probably already made your own conclusions, I ask you not to do anything rash. I have some information about your Affairs that, if ever made public, could destroy you in the eyes of the society and most likely interest the authorities. Please accept my offer and break off the engagement as soon as you receive the money. It's better for both of us. You knew perfectly well that I had no feelings for you and you can't go back to the old way. I was honest with you when agreed to this deal that saved my brother. I'm grateful for your help, but this is the end of our relationship. Don't force me to take emergency measures. I hope you're reasonable. Sidney. "
Mrs. Campion crumpled the letter up sharply, fighting the urge to throw it out of the window, but recovered herself in time to straighten it out and read it again.
She was angry, angry at Sidney and Crowe and everyone connected with them, and most of all, she was angry at herself. How could she let this happen? Her innermost thoughts and fears were suddenly no longer a secret, but a bargaining chip. How could she be so frivolous? Sidney knew all about the opium trade, and most of all he knew about Charles. Would she be able to handle the smuggling? Yes, her money and connections might have helped Eliza out more than once, but not in the case of Charles. He would always be a skeleton in her closet. She couldn't let everyone find out about her brother, it would inevitably reach her parents and destroy them, simply destroy her mother. She shook her head to clear it, then took a deep breath and looked at the letter again. Sidney Parker had her pinned to the wall, and she had no choice but to accept the terms he set.
Eliza glanced out of the window, caught a glimpse of Sanditon house, and sank back into her pillows. Mrs. Campion had a long road ahead of her and many things to think about.

It was quite early, but she was already out of bed and tidying herself up. Last night, which had given her a lot of emotions, gave her a previously unknown feeling. Even sitting in her room, she felt an incredible sense of excitement. Never in her life had any man so occupied her thoughts, and the mere memory of him made her heart flutter.
There was a knock on the door.
- Come in - Allison said.
Charlotte appeared in the doorway, smiling.
- I knew, that you already not sleep - happily told she - although we have gone to bed so late. How are you doing?
- All right - Allison said calmly.
Charlotte glanced slyly at her sister, feeling that she was holding something back.
- What do you say about the ball?  - she asked - did it impress you?
Allison looked down, confused.
- Yes - she said, still hiding her eyes from her sister - and a very big impression.
- And even all that happened didn't spoil your mood? - Charlotte asked.
- At first, yes - Allison said honestly - I even wanted to run away or fall into the ground, but then....then... I was relieved, even amused, until the dreadful gentleman who had frightened Georgiana appeared. It was a good thing that the gentlemen sent him away fairly quickly.
- How do you know? - Charlotte asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
- Mr. Crowe told me all about it when we were talking on the porch last night - Allison blurted out, completely forgetting to be careful.
- Is there anything you want to tell me? -  Charlotte asked - about Mr. Crowe, for instance.
Allison realized that she had said too much, but there was no turning back.
- Did you like Mr. Crowe? - smile suggested by Charlotte - am I right?
- Yes - Allison said quietly - you're right.
- Why didn't you tell me? - Charlotte asked - you know I'll always support you.
- Georgiana said that he likes to have Affairs with ladies, drinks a lot, and is an incredible bully who constantly makes fun of everyone - Allison said, anxiously waiting for her sister's reaction - but he wasn't like that with me.. I thought you might not like it.
Charlotte smiled and hugged her sister.
- I admit I don't know Mr. Сrowе very well - she said - he likes to drink and flirt with young ladies sometimes, but to be honest, I think he does it all out of boredom. One thing I know for sure is that he is a true friend and has helped Sidney and me a lot, without asking questions or reproaching anyone.
- But Georgiana... - the beginning of Allison.
- Georgiana, as always, is exaggerating - said Charlotte - and jumping to conclusions, especially since she was very upset yesterday.
- What am I supposed to do with Mr. Crowe? - perplexed spoke to Allison - I'm at a loss.
-Don't listen to anyone but your heart - Charlotte replied - I'm sure your parents would never tell you that, but trust me, it's the only thing that will help you understand what's right and what's wrong.
Allison looked at her sister with gratitude and smiled.
- What about you and Mr. Parker? - she asked - I didn't see you return to the hall.
It was Charlotte's turn to blush and hide her eyes from her sister.
- It's a very long story - she said.
- I don't remember us being in a hurry - Allison said with a smile.
- In that case, I suggest we visit Georgiana and then take a walk on the beach, if you don't mind - Charlotte suggested - we can talk on the way.
- I'd love to - Allison said - as soon as I put on my hat and raincoat.
Charlotte nodded happily and went in search of her own hat.