And yet there will be happiness...

What is it you want from me?

She slipped into the podium and sat directly behind the Beaufort sisters. Her heart was pounding, and her breath was still coming in gasps from running so fast. "I made it! - she thought with a smile and began to smooth out the folds of her blue-and-white dress. Another couple of minutes passed when she finally calmed down and looked at the arena.
- What do you think you're doing, young Lady? - came a low but menacing voice from behind her -your behavior is simply unacceptable and unworthy of the title of lady. You have completely disappointed me.
She looked around sharply and met the gaze of the owner of the same radiant green eyes as her own. Her older brother was standing right in front of her and was extremely displeased with her. He sat down next to Augusta.
I am...I was just going for a walk - she said - I don't see anything wrong with that.
- Take a walk? - Babbington asked, frowning almost in a whisper, so as not to attract the attention of the other guests - At senen o'clock in the morning? What's the need for that?
- It's not my fault that you and Esther have been sleeping so long - Augusta said, trying to confuse her brother.
- Don't talk me out of it, young Lady - Babbington said - I'm not as stupid or blind as you think I am. You're forcing me to take extreme measures.
- What? Which ones? - Augusta asked.
- If you don't stop lying to me now, you'll have to leave Sanditon for good - Babbington snapped.
- Oh!That's not fair! - she exclaimed, rising to her full height.
- You'd better sit down, dear, I'm also worried about Lord Broome, but you can see very well when you're sitting down - said Esther, patting her gently on the shoulder.
Augusta obeyed and sat down next to her brother, while Esther sat elegantly on the other side.
- I think you've chosen the wrong time and place to find out your problems - she said calmly, smiling at both of them - I advise you to stop this madness now.
- But he started it - Augusta said - I just came to watch the fight.
- You don't care about the fight, you don't care about anyone. Why should I run around the city looking for you, like some boy, going mad with suspense and excitement? - Babington exclaim.
- That's enough - Esther said firmly.
Babbington heard a note of authority in her voice that reminded him that his dearest wife was Lady Denham's niece. He admired her strength, bordering on touching vulnerability and femininity. It gave Esther an incredible charm and made her extremely attractive in the eyes of her own husband.
- You're always right dear - with a smile he said - I better go stroll along the beach and think. Augusta, we'll talk to you at home.
- A good choice, Lord Babington - said Esther, smiling affectionately at her husband.
Babbington bowed to the ladies and went downstairs, leaving the two ladies to their thoughts.
For several minutes there was complete silence, which was finally broken by Augusta.
- Are you judging me, too? Don't judge me too harshly - she said, looking Esther straight in the eyes - This has never happened before in my life.
- I don't judge you at all - said Esther - and no one can, not even your brother.
Augusta opened her eyes wide and looked at her.
- Talk to him - Esther said firmly - he doesn't deserve all of this. Your brother is a very good man. He is very sensitive and you must not deceive him any more.
- I know... - Augusta said softly.
The ladies looked at each other and turned their eyes to the arena where Lord Broome was finishing his duel.

Blow, another blow, the opponents crossed swords and the audience for a moment stopped breathing again, unable to take their eyes off what was happening in the arena.
Broome lunged forward, and his opponent moved his sword sideways to knock the point off. In one sharp movement, Broome made a figure of eight in the air, knocking the sword out of his opponent's hands. A step forward, a stab in the chest, and the entire arena erupted in deafening applause, proclaiming his victory. The ladies let out a sigh of relief and finally let go of each other's hands.
- Touche - Crowe said cheerfully, making Allison jump at the sound of his voice - and Broome is good, I haven't seen him in battle for a long time. I look forward to meeting him.
- I think you will have such an opportunity - agreed Sidney - you, too, master of your craft, although you say that gentlemen do not need training.
- My dear fellow, I'm afraid my theory doesn't work with fencing - Crowe said, and bowed to the ladies who turned to them - Miss Heywood, Miss lamb.
- Charlotte, Georgiana, Miss Heywood - Sidney said, also bowing.
- Mr. Crowe, Mr. Parker - Charlotte said, and curtsied, while the other two girls did the same in silence - you came so quietly that we didn't hear you. How long have you been here?
Allison looked up at Crowe in confusion, but when she met his gentle gaze, she blushed and looked down again.
- It's been a long time - Sidney said - we were able to enjoy the Lord Broome's fight. I agree with Crowe, he did it brilliantly.
- We should go congratulate him - Georgiana exclaimed, still clearly nervous and unable to do anything about it. This was not lost on Sidney and Charlotte.
- I think Broome needs time to catch his breath and get himself together - Sidney said.
- Nonsense - said Georgiana, and she slipped past Sidney and Charlotte and ran down the aisle to get down to the arena.
- Well, what can I do with this girl - sighed Sidney, looking at Charlotte - then the race, then this now, she is completely out of control. Her father would break my neck if he found out. I'm not a good guardian.
- Look how happy she is - said Charlotte, gently patting him on the hand - is the most important thing right now - Besides, Lord Broome is not one to turn young ladies ' heads and make them do stupid things.
- Yes, I suppose you are right - Sidney agreed.
- I need to talk to Tom about my parents 'arrival - Charlotte said with a smile.
- I'll walk you out - Sidney said, holding out his hand.
Allison shot a quick glance at Francis, as if seeking support, and he smiled back and looked at Sydney.
- If you'll excuse me, I'll stay here and watch the rest of the competition - he said - as a matter of fact, I'm not ready to meet Lady Denham after yesterday's heart - breaking lecture.
Charlotte and Sidney laughed at the memory of their unexpected tea party, and Allison looked at Crowe with a modest smile.
- Miss Heywood, I hope you will accompany me - he said - I would be able to tell you about the basic techniques of fencing and some of the secrets that will make it much more interesting for you to watch the competition.
- With pleasure, Mr. Сrowe - Allison said.
- Then we can go - Sidney said.
Charlotte took his hand and glanced back at her sister, who was still watching at Crowe, then smiled and followed Sidney into the main box.