And yet there will be happiness...

The farmer's daughters

Her breath caught in her throat at what was happening in the arena. Just a couple of minutes ago, she had watched with barely concealed excitement and pride as he came out to fight. He bowed elegantly to his opponent and looked at Allison, who was sitting in the main box. At the very sight of him, a flood of tenderness spread over her body and colored her cheeks with a bright blush. She wanted to wave at him, or even blow him a kiss, but Allison couldn't do it. Since her parents ' arrival, she had felt so incredibly confused and agitated that her mother had asked her several times if she was feeling well, and her father had looked at her and Charlotte so intently that the embarrassment was even greater. She wanted desperately to see Francis and wish him luck, but circumstances decided otherwise.
The fuss over the arrival of her parents and brother had turned everything upside down this morning. The joy of her  family's arrival was replaced by fear for Francis and excitement at the prospect of talking to his father.
The guests were met, accommodated and delivered to the arena just in time. Allison fidgeted with the white silk handkerchief that Crowe had given her to calm her down on the opening night of the tournament, and stared hungrily at the man who had robbed her young heart of peace, even in her innocent dreams.
The opponents took a stand, and the contest began. Allison couldn't take her eyes off Crowe. He was as graceful as a cat, so light, smooth, and elegant that his every movement delighted her. Allison knew that he was a worthy opponent, but the way he carried himself in the arena delighted her and made her heart beat faster.

Crow lunged, as if to hit his opponent in the shoulder from the right. His opponent, defending unexpectedly for himself, opened up for a backhand, giving Francis a chance, which he immediately took advantage of. The shot and another point count for Mr. Crowe. He bowed to the stands and returned to his original position.
The enemy became angry and resolutely went on the attack, mercilessly bringing down more and more blows on Crowe. He was clearly trying to run Francis down, and for a moment Allison thought he was succeeding. The sword flew so close to her face that she gave an involuntary cry and sprang to her feet, clutching his handkerchief until her knuckles turned white. He leaned back sharply, ducked, and lunged, catching his opponent before he realized what was happening.
- Touchet! Сrowе has won! Well done, Mr. Crowe!!! - Arthur exclaimed.
- My God, why do you have to scream like that? - Diana asked -  darling, you need to take care of your glands, it's very dangerous.
Allison, still watching Francis accept congratulations from his opponent, seemed to Wake from a dream when she heard the younger Parkers talking.  She realized that she was still standing in the box, clutching the white handkerchief. Turning, she saw Charlotte's bewildered face and her mother's surprised face. Allison was scared to death to look at her father, knowing full well that she had given herself away. "What will I tell him? Do I need to say something now? " - flashed through her mind. She looked up, confused, and met Mr. Haywood's eyes. It seemed to her that her father understood her without words. His deep, intelligent, warm eyes seemed to read her thoughts. Allison had always known that she was like her father, not only in appearance, but in character. Thoughtfulness, straightforwardness, justice, and kindness were the common characteristics of all the Heywoods. However, Allison and her father had something that not many people in this life could boast of - they were truly wise by nature, and this more than compensated for a certain closeness of both of them. Charlotte, on the other hand, inherited her mother's traits that made her unique. She was incredibly honest, open and brave, which in the end made Sidney Parker love her more than his own life.
- Are you all right, Allison? - Mrs Heywood asked - my daughter, you are very pale, are you sure you are feeling well? Maybe you should sit down. What are you so worried about?
- I'm really good - Allison said.
- Would you like a pie, Mother? - Charlotte asked, trying to distract her mother and smooth over the awkward moment.
- No, thank you - she replied - I'm very worried about your sister. I've never seen her like this.
- Why worry about her? - Phillip asked, eating a piece of pie with relish  - I think it's because of the gentleman in the dark breeches who just won the contest. And no wonder, he's such a good swordsman, and I want to learn it, too.
Allison was startled and looked at her father again, but paused for a moment, then sat up and looked at the arena where the new contestants were entering.
Charlotte frowned and glared at her brother.
- Phillip Haywood - she said - didn't you learn as a child that it's not nice to talk with your mouth full? And you are too young to interfere in the conversations of your elders.
- Aren't you too young to look at gentleman? - Phillip asked defiantly, mentally praising his own powers of observation - you've been looking at Mr. Parker ever since we got here.
Charlotte flushed, and Sidney, sitting next to her, smiled and looked down at the toes of his shoes.
- Phillip - said Mr. Heywood calmly.
- All right - said Phillip - can I have another pie?
- Of course, help yourself - smiling said Charlotte and handed him a plate of warm pie.
Everyone turned back to the arena, where two competitors were performing incredible pirouettes, bringing the audience into raptures.
Charlotte turned to Sidney and stared at him.
- No one said it would be easy - Sidney said, almost in a whisper - but I think we can do it.
- I hope so, but I need to talk to my father first - Charlotte said quietly, then added more loudly - more pie, Mr. Parker?