The Guardian

Episode 5 Part 5 - Alison's Wedding

The wedding ceremony was due to take place at nine o'clock the next day. It was to be followed by the wedding breakfast at the Elliot's house which was to be close friends and family only as was customary. Charlotte was awoken early by Jane who knocked on the door of her bedchamber. Somewhat reluctantly she roused herself from her slumber and slid out of bed to open the door. Bleary eyed she greeted Jane who got to work in helping her get ready for the day.

"How did you sleep, Miss?" Jane asked as she started to lace Charlotte's stays.

"Not too badly." Charlotte replied.

"How was dinner at your friend's house?"

Charlotte couldn't help by smile for she had had such a delightful evening, even if it ended somewhat confusingly. "It was wonderful. I didn't realise how much I missed being here. Although they made me sing again."

Jane chuckled. "But Miss Charlotte, you have such a lovely voice. Tis no wonder that they asked you to sing."

"Thank you." She replied, blushing slightly, for she still found it difficult to accept the compliment.

"Did Mr Parker enjoy himself too?"

If possible, Charlotte blushed even more, and was rather pleased that Jane couldn't see as she was stood behind her. "Yes, I think so." She replied, remembering his words in the carriage on the way home. "What is the weather like outside?" Charlotte asked wanting to change the subject.

Jane walked over to the window to peak out. "Looks like it's going to be very fine, Miss."

"That's good. Oh I do hope I made the right choice with the blue gown." Charlotte said, feeling nervous.

"I think so Miss and it fits your figure very elegantly. You'll see once we get you into it after you've broken your fast. Are you meeting Mr Parker for breakfast?"

"Oh... I'm not sure, we never discussed it." Charlotte said and as soon as she had said it there, was a knock on the door. Charlotte was only in her stays and looked at Jane in fright. "Who is it?" She called.

"It's me." Came the familiar voice of Sidney Parker through the door and Charlotte was sure the earth started moving beneath her feet.

She walked up to the door to talk to him through it. "I am not yet dressed." She explained, unable to see Sidney falter the other side of the door.

"Right... well... shall I meet you downstairs when you are... when you are ready?" He replied and Charlotte didn't notice the tremble in his voice.

"Very well. I won't be long." She replied and then she heard his footsteps retreating from her room and going down the stairs.

Sidney was sure he was running down the stairs his heart racing at breakneck speed. What was he thinking knocking on Charlotte's door like that? It had not occurred to him that she wouldn't be ready, but now she had told him that she was in a state of undress his mind was going wild with all sorts of inappropriate thoughts. Thank goodness no-one could see inside his head! It had been the same last night, for as soon as they had entered the carriage alone he had felt it: the strong magnetic force of her, seeming to pull at his very soul and flood his senses. Sidney had desired many women, of course, but this was different because never before had he struggled to gain control of himself like he had when it came to Charlotte. It wasn't because she was more handsome or alluring than the other women, it was because she had some sort of power over him that he could not explain and it confounded him greatly.

Breakfast was a quiet affair, each party seemingly nervous of the other despite the fact they had spent all day together the day before. The nerves meant that Charlotte did not have much of an appetite which when challenged by Sidney, she explained as being due to the excitement of seeing her friend get married today, which was only a half lie. Once breakfast had concluded, Charlotte returned to her room to put on her new light blue silk dress over which she wore a cream coat with matching bonnet and gloves. She stood and looked in the mirror as Jane looked on admiringly.