And yet there will be happiness...

What do you know about love?

A heavy twilight fell over Sanditon and its environs. It was noticeably cooler, and she hugged her shoulders to keep warm. The noisy arena was far behind her, but she was glad that they were away from prying eyes. She had received too much unnecessary attention today.
- Are you cold? - he asked.
- A little - she said, shivering.
- Allow me - he said, draping her coat over her shoulders - Are you sure you don't want to go back?
- No - said Georgiana - I've had enough of the Reverend and his everlasting sermons and all the rest of them for one day. My head is spinning.
He laughed and looked at her carefully.
- What? - said Mids Lamb - I am quite serious!
- Oh, I don't doubt it at all - said Broome, looking around.
- My God, what are you looking for all the time?  - Georgiana couldn't stand it
- I'm thinking of a place to hide so I don't have to bother you with my presence any more - Broome said in a perfectly serious tone - but there are rocks to the right and the sea to the left, and I really don't know where to go.
It was Georgiana's turn to laugh.
- My God, Lord Broome - she said, smiling - you never seem to get tired of joking with me.
- Not over you, but for you - Broome corrected her - I like it when you smile. Unfortunately, you don't usually do this very often.
- I don't usually have any reason to - Georgiana said, thinking for a moment.
He paused, then decided to ask the question that had been bothering him for several days.
- Do you still miss him? - he asked.
- What? By whom? - she asked.
-  Your lover - Broome said - You remember telling me about. Otis. I'm talking about him now.
Georgiana looked down, embarrassed, glad that the gathering darkness was blocking him from seeing her face.
- I shouldn't have told you - said Miss lamb.
- So you're still thinking about him... - Broome said to himself.
She stopped and looked into his eyes, and in the light of the rising moon, reflecting its soft light from the sea, they seemed somehow unearthly. He smiled at her.
She paused, not knowing what to say to him.
-  I am... I don't know what to think - she admitted - he's sent me another letter asking to see me, and he wants to come to Sanditon and. ..
- Then perhaps you should let him come? - he asked, trying to keep his tone calm - since your heart desires it so much.
He turned and looked at Sanditon, finding it harder than ever to meet her eyes. He didn't want to see love for another man there.
Georgiana looked at him, Broome looking calm and aloof in a way she'd never known before.
- Do you really think I should forgive Otis and bring him back into my life? - she asked.
- Miss lamb, if it makes you happy than yes - he said dryly.
- Do you really want me to do this? Really? - with a challenge and pain in her voice, she asked - answer me!
He turned to her and came as close to her as he could.
- No - he said, barely able to contain himself - I don't want that, Georgiana.
She looked at him with eyes full of tears. Broome's stomach churned, and his heart felt cold and uneasy. It pained him to see her tears.
- Then why did you say so? .. - she couldn't go on.
- I just want you to be happy - he said, his voice hoarse with excitement - I.. Damn, why is everything so complicated when it comes to feelings?
He exhaled noisily and turned to walk forward, wanting to hide from her eyes. He was not used to feeling embarrassed in front of ladies; this was new to him. Broome looked up at the sky, cursing himself for bringing up this difficult subject. He shivered as a small, warm hand dropped into his. His heart started pounding. Broome took her hand in a firm grip and turned to look at her.
- Do you really want to know what I think of Otis? -  she asked.
- Yes - he said, feeling his throat go dry.
- I don't need Otis - she said softly - he was never right for me, and he never really loved me. Unfortunately, I realized this recently.
- Are you sure? - asked Broome, not believing his own ears.
- Yes - she said, almost inaudibly, and squeezed his hand tightly - now more than ever.
He smiled, and his eyes were bright again. Georgiana's heart warmed.
- You must be tired - Broome said, still holding her hand - let me walk you home.
- On one condition - said Georgiana, and then, looking at the questioning expression on his face - we will go very slowly.
- As you command, my Lady - Broome said with a smile.
They walked slowly along the beach, smiling and exchanging words, still holding their hands.