Susan had decided to hold a family luncheon. It would be a good opportunity for Thomas to spend time with Miss Lamb. She knew from Charlotte that Thomas was attracted to Georgina. Georgina and Thomas shared similar histories and it helped that Georgina had money. Susan had invited Mary and Tom as Charlotte considered them to be family. She wanted an afternoon where everyone could laugh and relax. So many of their function were formal and restricted their interactions. She also wanted to show Charlotte that her family circle was similar to Charlotte's and liked having fun. She entrusted the afternoon entertainment to Charlotte, Thomas and Georgina. A number of the family had asked if they could bring some friends as they wanted to meet Charlotte. Susan noticed that people gravitated to her as she had a spirit that attracted people. It was going to be a good afternoon.
Sidney Parker after great consideration arrives at the house to see Georgina. After being accepted into the home he waited for his ward to appear. Georgiana walking from the ballroom looking angry "what are you doing here? I sent you a letter to let you know where I was. Mary agreed. I'm happy and I don't want to leave" Sidney replies "I am your guardian and will decide what is acceptable". Thomas steps out and feels the tension between the two. He greets Sidney and comments "I believe you will find your brother Tom inside Miss Lamb, Charlotte and I have organised the afternoon program.
"Thomas! Georgina! we need to get started" calls out Charlotte.
Charlotte could tell by the strain on Sidney's face that Georgina had been disrespectful.
"Good afternoon, Mr Parker, you are welcome to stay and if you go through this door you will find your brother". Sidney bows his head and says thank you. Sidney was thankful Eliza was not present. She didn't like Georgina and both women argued regularly. He had been trying to be a better guardian but with his own personal turmoil he had failed miserably.
"Sidney" cries Tom " a nice surprise to see you!" To be honest Sidney had been avoiding Tom as he was angry with his brother.
"Mary and Diana are seated over there with Lady Susan" pointed out Tom
"Where is Georgina and Miss Heywood?" questions Sidney.
"They have been put in charge of the entertainment, Charlotte and Thomas have promised a fun afternoon for all" similes a happy Tom.
"Who are all these people?" asks Sidney
"Charlotte told me that it is family members of Lady Susan and Lord Thomas. I think there are some friends who asked to attend as well" commented Tom
Who do you know?" he asks Tom.
"I have meet most of the men and Mary has been socialising with the women". Thomas or Arthur are the best person to introduce you".
Sidney asks about Charlottes' brother's and found out they had returned to the farm but were planning to return the following week.
"They told me that they need to keep a watch over their sister." Sidney shifted uncomfortably from his brother's words.
Zeus and Hercules finding Sidney decided to settled next to him. "Those dogs only do that for Charlotte and I don't understand why they have taken a liking to you?" Sidney similes and just rubs the back of the dog's necks.
He hears familiar voices talking loudly outside the door and turns to see Charlotte and Georgina in a heated argument. Charlotte was very angry and giving Georgina a piece of her mind. Her eyes were fierce, and a person could image steam coming out of her ears.
"You promised me Georgina! l will not let you speak that way to Sidney, he is your guardian and he must be respected".
Georgina looks back unrepentant and tries to justify her actions "you know he is a horrible man and he doesn't trust me".
"Stop", replies Charlotte "don't you want him to treat you like an adult? If you want him too, start acting like one!" Georgiana holds your head higher, but Charlotte continued pointing her finger at Georgina "you need to go and apologise for your bad temper and childishness. If you don't, I don't want to be your friend. Every time you hurt him, you hurt me. You promised me and you are now breaking you promise" Charlotte's eyes had teared up and she wipes them away. "Georgiana be compassionate to me or you know I will carry out my threat" Charlotte saying this in a warning tone. Georgiana nods and they go through another door.
Sidney had experienced the wrath of Charlotte personally but never as a bystander. She was frightening and clearly a woman not to be crossed. His heart was beating wildly as he witnessed Charlotte defending him and also her tears of distress. She was supporting him as Georgina's guardian and not allowing Georgina to abuse him.
She still loves me! His heart cries …. And all he wanted to do was be at her side.
His attention was brought back when music started playing and the guests started clapping. Thomas and Charlotte entering the stage area dressed as pirates "Good afternoon ladies, gentlemen" cries Thomas "boys and girls" cries Charlotte" both giving the audience a sweeping bow. Each introducing each other and explained the program. A butler brings out board covered with a red cloth. "Let me explain the dares for the afternoon" Charlotte goes over and dramatically pulling off the cloth displaying a board with writing. Now Lady Susan and Lady Sophia have bells and when they ring they will call out a number and we must follow it. Sidney notices amongst the children were his nieces and nephews.
The audience didn't know what each dare which this added to the excitement.
Dare One – All talking must be communicated through singing
Dare Two – All instructions must be giving by miming
Dare Three – Thomas or Charlotte need to perform a dance
Dare Four – Thomas and Charlotte perform a sword fight
Dare Five – Everything must be completed in Italian
Dare Six – Perform a death scene from a famous play
"Captain Thomas we need some shipmates to come on our journey?" and they got the children up and gave each a sailor's hat. "I think we need some officers" and a few young men from the audience jumped up to join in. After this Charlotte started telling the audience about hidden treasure in some mysterious island located somewhere in the Caribbean Sea. Pulling out an old map she shows the children the place of the treasure. She asked the children how they should get the treasure and the children were quick to give suggestions. "I think Captain we will need to take this into consideration, but I think we need to entertain our new crewman?"
Lady Susan and Lady Sophia rings their bells and calls out together 'Dare Four' and instantly Charlotte and Thomas stop and look at each other.. drawing their swords. They engaged in combat and it was clear it was real because the audience could hear the blades clashing. The bells sounded, and the ladies called out Dare three and instantly Charlotte and Thomas taking a partner each from the audience danced to the music being played. The couples bowed, and the audience clapped.
"Captain we were interrupted, and we beg that the ladies hold off until we have performed our magic tricks!" the children clapping wildly, and the adults waited to see if it was going to be more than just card tricks. Everyone was bedazzled by the magic tricks they performed. Charlotte made rabbits disappear and reappear. Thomas made items gravitate including Charlotte. The most shocking trick involved Charlotte laying in a box while Thomas pushed through real swords then sawing the box in half. The audience gasped when he moved the box apart. There was a sigh of relief when she got out of the box unharmed.
Since Charlotte had been given Dare One she started the singing competition. Each person was given a line from a play and had to make up a song. Various family members stood up and took on the challenge. Thomas and Charlotte helping out each participate. Sidney was amazed at the knowledge and skills of all participants but especially Charlotte and Thomas. Charlotte couldn't finish dare two because she couldn't stop laughing so one of the young gentlemen came up and completed it for her. She graciously thanked him and allowed him to kiss her hand.
Charade was a favourite among the group and everyone was placed in teams. Everyone laughing as Thomas who was forced to give instructions in Italian (Dare Four) and then he had to do it while dancing with Charlotte (Dare Two). Playing in teams everyone had to work together. Charlotte always making sure that the children could participate. At the end of the game the bells rings (Dare Six) Charlotte and Thomas perform a famous death scene from Romeo and Juliet. The performance was spell binding and there were a number of ladies crying at the end. To lighted up the mood the bells rang and Dare Four was called out… Charlotte and Thomas taking a deep breath and began their sword battle but this time sitting on chairs and the audience couldn't stop laughing.
The final activity was group drama performances. Thomas placing all participants in teams and gave them 15 minutes to come up with a scene, but they would have to switch characters during the performance. Charlotte moved towards the back of the group and asks Sidney if he could help her with the children's group. Sidney enjoyed helping Charlotte with the children. The children wanted to perform a story about a prince and princess. Charlotte and Sidney had to be the main characters and the children supported their performance. Susan allocated points giving more to the children who clapped loudly.
Thomas and Charlotte closed the event and the audience surround them. Charlotte going down on her knees to give the little children a hug and thank them for their help. She was helped up by Thomas and then the adults congratulated them. Sidney from the back of the room noticed the young gentlemen trying to get Charlotte's attention. She smiles at them and replies to their questions but looks over to at Sidney and their eyes lock. Georgina comes over to speak with Sidney. She apologised for her rudeness and communicated she wanted to improve her relationship with him.
Everyone started to head towards the dining room, but Sidney noticed Charlotte sitting by herself. When he got closer he observed she looks drained.
"Miss Hayward, would you like me to get you some water?" a concerned Sidney asks
"Thank you, Mr Parker" replies Charlotte. "I think I have over done it" she breathes deeply and puts her head against the wall.
Sidney calls the servant and sits with her looking concerned and at this point closed her eyes. She was tired from the show but to be honest she had used most of her energy to mask her pain and grief. A glass of water was put in her hand and someone helped her drink it. A wet handkerchief was placed on her forehead.
Even though her eyes were closed she smiled without thinking said "thank you Sidney, for thinking about me". "I am so tired pretending everything is ok". He sits next to her and watches her face with concern. "Charlotte, Georgina apologised to me" comments Sidney "good" she replied "you don't deserve her anger" she smiled sadly "you've had to make a hard choice to help your family.
Tell me, how long does it take for a broken heart to heal?" She whispers as tears started falling down her cheeks.
He couldn't answer as his own heart was breaking and he couldn't comfort her the way he wanted to. He just sat with her and she cried "please, forgive me, I don't mean to make your uncomfortable but I can't lie to you"
"I am glad just to sit with you" whispers Sidney.
"I am so sorry for scaring you last night at the ball" her tears were flowing "I panicked and didn't want to cause a scene at the ball. Please believe me I was only thinking about you". He grabs her hands "What I am going to do with you?" Sidney asks
"I wish you could marry me" Charlotte opens her eyes and just looks at his face
The moment was broken by voices of Mary and Tom's kids sent to find Charlotte. They launch themselves on her, Sidney grabbing hold of Henry to make sure she was not squished. Charlotte looks at him "I have a number of fans who demand my attention!" Sidney observed it wasn't just the children but a number of gentlemen who attempted to improve their acquaintance with her. She looks at him holding Henry "can you stay with me and the children?" He nodes and they entertain the children while the adults socialise.
Mary noticed how happy Sidney was when he was with Charlotte.