And yet there will be happiness...

Be carefull

Charlotte's heart was pounding as she ran alongside Sidney, following Georgiana and Broome into the distance. Her feet sank into the sand, making her work harder. Charlotte had never been a sissy, but the excitement and almost sleepless night had taken its toll, and she gasped and paused for a moment to control her dizziness.
- What's wrong with you? Are you all right? You look so pale - said Sidney.
He looked ahead and saw Crowe and Allison almost running to the end of the cliff where the arena was located.
- I'm fine - Charlotte said, still breathing heavily -i needed to sleep at night.
- I thought we found something much more interesting to do - Sidney said.
- You're embarrassing me, Mr. Parker - Charlotte said, catching her breath.
-Get used to it, miss Heywood  - he said.
- I can go on - she said, taking a deep breath.
Sidney nodded in agreement and they hurried back to the arena.
When they finally reached their destination, they were shocked by the sight before them.
Broome and Crowe held the horse, still struggling. Georgiana was sitting on the sand, her face turned away from everyone to the sea, and she was crying. Arthur and Allison bent mournfully over Diana's lifeless body. Onlookers, not wanting to miss anything important, surrounded the place from all sides and talked loudly, vying with each other to tell their version of events.
Sidney's heart skipped a beat, unable to believe that this was really happening. He looked at Charlotte, unable to move or do anything. Without thinking, she grabbed his arm and dragged him through the crowd of onlookers, straight to Diana.
- Excuse me, let me through, there's nothing interesting here -Tom said loudly, making his way to the other side and still trying to smile - ladies and gentlemen, this is just a misunderstanding, everything is fine. I've already sent for a doctor. I ask you to go away.
They ran up to Diana, hastily pushing aside discontented onlookers. Charlotte felt for her pulse, felt her breath, and looked at her closely, then stared at Arthur and Allison in disbelief.
- I don't understand - whispered she - there are absolutely no wounds and abrasions on her, I thought she was hit by a horse.
Sidney also turned to Arthur, hoping to hear at least some response.
- What's  happened, Arthur? Why is our sister lying here like a dead thing? - Sidney asked - What the hell happened?  Georgiana did it?
Georgiana, who was sitting nearby, burst into sobs, and Lord Broome, leaving the horse to Crowe's care, came over and sat down beside her, and began to talk to her, trying to calm her down.
- Arthur!!! - Sidney exclaimed.
The younger of the Parkers looked at his brother and lowered his eyes, but when he opened them a moment later there was a smile on his face.
Charlotte and Sidney looked at each other in disbelief, thinking for a moment that he was mad with grief.
An awkward silence hung in the air. The three men who were leaning over Diana waited in agony for an answer.
Lady Denham and Tom, who had finally managed to keep the onlookers away, also looked at Arthur. He chuckled, making everyone present believe that he had lost his mind after all.
- Actually - said Arthur - no one hit Diana, but Georgiana and Lord Broome just rode past her, and Broome almost managed to stop the horse.
- Then why is she lying here unconscious? - Sidney asked - I don't understand any more.
- Yes, it's very simple - said Arthur with a smile - I tried to grab the horse by the bridle, but it reared up. I managed to jump back, but Diana suddenly screamed and fell senseless.
- Then why the hell didn't you say so? - Sidney asked.
- I didn't have time - admitted Arthur - everything happened so quickly, I ran to Diana, then Miss Heywood and Mr Crowe appeared, and then you.
Charlotte looked at Sidney and couldn't help but laugh along with Arthur.
- Step aside, you need to pass me to a serious patient - recited Dr. Fuchs, making his way through the assembled audience - I need to help Fraulein, disperse, bitte!
He walked over to where Diana lay and motioned for everyone else to move away.
After a cursory glance at her, he stared at them in the same way as Charlotte had earlier.
- I was told that Fraulein was hit by a horse - he said, - but I don't see any wounds or abrasions here, not even on her head. It fell on the sand and could not have damaged anything. I take it the lady just decided to faint.
- Dr. Fuchs - Tom said apologetically - I'm sorry, I misled you.
- We'll fix this quickly - the doctor said, taking smelling salts from his bag and holding them to Diana's nose.
A few seconds later, her lashes fluttered, and Miss Parker opened her eyes reluctantly.
- What a beautiful sky - she said - I always knew that in Paradise there would be such a beautiful sky.
All unconsciously also looked up and saw a bright blue sky, through which floated a few feathery clouds of strange shapes. There was no sign of the low gray clouds that had covered Sanditon that morning.
At the words so reverently spoken by his sister, Arthur laughed again, and Lady Denham made a grimace of displeasure and rolled her eyes dramatically.
- Wake up, Fraulein - Dr. Fuchs said urgently - breathe in, breathe in.
She opened her eyes again and looked at him.
- Herr Fuchs - she said, slowly breaking into a smile -  are you here too?  With me? Have you seen how beautiful the sky is here?
- Fraulein Parker - Fuchs said as gently as possible - you'll just faint. Nothing wrong. A SIP of brandy will get you back on your feet quickly.
- But Arthur and that horse... my poor heart could not resist... - Diana said with a tragic sigh - that's even better. This world was too hard for both of us.
- I'm here - said Arthur, leaning towards her - I'm all right, and so are you.
She looked at him, then at the others, and froze, not understanding what was happening around her.
- What are you all doing here? Are you alive, Arthur? -  she asked, beginning to realize that everything she saw and thought was just a fantasy -  I thought you'd left me forever!
- I will always be with you - he said with a smile.
- And you won't call me stupid anymore? - she asked tearfully.
- I never said that, - said Arthur.
- But thought - quietly told she and, sniffling nose, densely squeezed from lips, all their guise of showing as it were offended by his words.
- Don't worry, Fraulein - Fuchs said - come, we'll take you to the carriage, you need to lie down, it's no business for a young Fraulein to lie on the sand.
They helped her to her feet and led her, arm in arm, to the carriage, to the astonishment of the assembled onlookers, who probably expected a much more disastrous outcome.
- Mr. Parker - Lady Denham said with a grin - I think you've been hiring artists for nothing.
- What? Why? - Tom asked, puzzled.
- Because your sister and brother would have done just fine on their own - she said - It's like I've just seen a play. Very interesting.
Crowe came up to them, relieved at last by one of the servants of the role of Groome.
Sidney and Frances came to their senses and greeted Lady Denham.
- Gentlemen and both Miss Heywood - said the Lady, her eyes narrowing slightly -what a delight! Tell me, why am I not surprised?
- We ran into each other on the beach - Charlotte said, confused - and then we saw Georgiana and hurried here.
- By accident, of course - said the old lady ironically- who would doubt it? And I'm sure none of you gentlemen have seen Lord Babbington.
- No, my Lady -  Сrowе replied in a deadpan voice - he's probably still asleep.
- No doubt - Lady Denham agreed with a slight frown - that's why he's a Lord, so he can sleep until dinner. Don't talk me out of it, Mr. Crowe.
- I'm sorry, lady Denham - Charlotte said - but I must find out how Georgiana is.
Charlotte and Allison curtsied and walked quickly to their friend, who was already standing next to Broome, still wiping away tears.
- Lady Denham - said Sidney, bowing to her and following the example of the sisters. Crowe hastened to do the same.
- No, well, just look at them - muttered the Lady - well, what you have there, Mr. Parker, show me already, I'm not going to die on this beach, especially in your company.
- Of course Lady Denham - politely smiled Tom, pointing it direction - here is now we accurately will see the Holy of holies this tournament. And this time, I hope, everything will be without surprises.

- Georgiana!  - Charlotte exclaimed, running up to her friend - are you all right?
- Yes - said Miss lamb, smiling  - I was so scared about Diana.
- What the hell happened? -  Sidney asked.
- We were just going for a ride - Broome said - and then Miss lamb's horse took off and I couldn't stop it right away.
- It was my fault - said Georgiana, looking down - I was so anxious to get ahead of Lord Broome that I spurred my horse too hard. In the end, he bucked and stopped listening to me at all.
And then there's you and Diana - she continues - and next thing you know. I thought I'd killed her. I've never been so scared.
- Oh, Georgiana! - Charlotte exclaimed, and hugged her friend.
- Thank God, Lord Broome, you were able to catch up with her - Sidney said with relief - or there might have been victims.
Georgiana shuddered and snuggled closer to Charlotte.
- Come on, all's well that ends well - Broome said - let's forget about this incident. I'm sure Miss lamb is already deeply sorry for what happened.
Georgiana looked at him gratefully and nodded in agreement.
- Maybe we should go somewhere to get out of here? - Crowe asked, looking around - we're stuck here like an eyesore.
- I agree - said Sidney - there are too many curious people here.
- I suggest that the ladies drink a little brandy to maintain their balance - Broome suggested - and the gentlemen can have something stronger.
- I support it - Sidney said.
- And me too  - Crowe added - if the ladies don't mind.
- Then I suggest we go to Trafalgar house - said Sidney - and I think Mary and Tom will be very happy when he would be free. We'll also find out how Diana is.
- What do you think of it, Miss lamb? - Broome asked.
- I agree - said Georgiana - but only on one condition.
- What's that? -  Broome asked in surprise.
- Let's walk there-  Georgiana said with a sigh - I think I've had enough riding for one day.
The entire company burst out laughing, drawing even more attention to themselves.

He sat down in a chair and closed his eyes, thinking fondly of the evening before. He was so afraid to go to the ball, feeling anxious and guilty about his past. He was not attracted to the ball itself, nor to the high society gathered there. He was only there for her. She burst into his life like a small hurricane, sweeping everything around with her indomitable energy. James did not notice how this young, enthusiastic creature managed to displace from his heart the one he had so desperately loved before.
Augusta was different, she could see in him not only a loyal friend. Her eyes shone with such happiness and delight that Mr. Stringer could not resist opening his heart to this young Lady.
James felt warm hands close his eyes and smiled.
- Lady Augusta - he said.
- How do you know, Mr. Stringer? - she asked.
- It's very simple - he said, rising to greet her - no one else would think of doing it.
- Damn it - Augusta swore - Why didn't I think of that? 
- Are you alone? - James asked - I don't think your brother will be happy about it.
- He'll have to accept it - she said proudly.
- You quite strongly risk - honestly said stringer - believe me, I'm not worried about myself, I have absolutely nothing to lose.
- Mr. Stringer - Augusta said angrily - let's not talk about this, I've thought it over and I don't care what anyone says.
- You are still too young and inexperienced to make such decisions - honestly said James - you do not understand, the opinion of society can destroy your entire life.
- You sound just like my brother now - said Augusta, pouting her pretty lips.
- Because Lord Babbington rights - almost inaudibly said Stringer - we both wish only the best for you.
- Why does everyone decide for me? - Augusta exclaim - why isn't anyone interested in my opinion? Who decided that it was the right thing to do?
She stamped her foot and turned her back on him.
- I'm not really the best match for you, Lady Augusta - James said, coming up behind her so close that he was intoxicated by the scent of her skin and hair - or rather, the worst possible match. I'm a simple worker and I can't offer you what you deserve.
She whirled around, wanting to challenge him, but suddenly found herself face-to-face with him. The blood rushed to her cheeks and her heart pounding in a frantic rhythm. This had never happened to her before. He was so close that she lost her head. All her resolve disappeared in an instant, and her question, which she wanted to throw in his face with frustration, she only whispered softly:
- Do you want me to leave now? - Augusta asked.
Her soft whisper sent a shiver down his spine and his body stopped responding to it, drawing closer and closer to her. The rush of thoughts that raced through his mind in a split second almost knocked him off his feet.
"Do I want her to leave now? She has to go, it's the right thing to do! But damn, do I want it?"
- No - he breathed, looking down at her soft lips and beautiful eyes - I don't want you to leave, Augusta.
He felt the ground give way beneath his feet. James leaned over and touched his lips to hers. She let out a loud breath and responded to his impulse, leaning toward him with feeling. Time stood still for the two of them, taking them away from the real world and all the problems surrounding them.

P. S. On foto my vision of Lord Broome

#Sanditon #Sidlotte #Sanditonfanfiction