Charlotte's heart was full as she scrunched her toes in the cool evening sand and kept her attention on Georgiana and Otis. The two were the center of attention, as they took their places beneath the canopy that had been set up on the beach. The canopy's flowing white sheets fluttered in the evening breeze, framing the perfect picture of happiness with gentle tropical waters as the backdrop. Leading up the canopy were hundreds of pink and orange and white and yellow frangipani flowers and flickering candles. It was perfect.
Charlotte glanced around at all the smiles that matched her own. Happy relatives and the Captain and Sidney. Even Lady Denham was struggling to keep her disapproving smirk in place. Georgiana and Otis may have had a questionable start to their relationship but it was difficult to see how it could get anything but better from here. As she glanced up at Sidney beside her, her smile grew wider. Of course, he was watching her, his eyes intense and happy.
She curled her toes under her dress again, not used to the freedom that Antiguan society afforded them. Imagine the beau monde could see them now. In flowing dresses without tight stays and barefoot on the beach. The freedom was tantalizing. Sidney leaned closer, ignoring the sharp eye that Lady Denham turned on him.
"You're so beautiful, Admiral Heywood." He placed a soft kiss below her ear lobe and then slid a frangipani flower into her hair. She found it hard to breathe when he was so close. How was it possible for one person to experience so much elation? No wonder the poets went on about love so much. It was intoxicating.
She paid little attention to the ceremony as Sidney took hold of her hand and traced soft circles on her inner wrist as the preacher began speaking. All the worries about the success of Sanditon and about Sidney's intentions drifted away on the melody of a banjar as the ceremony came to an end. Soon the idle audience was up and about, hugging and dancing and splashing about in the warm evening waves.
Georgiana came racing up to Charlotte, her face radiating the happiness she felt.
"Mrs. Molyneux, I'm so happy for you." Charlotte hugged her friend.
"I'm so happy too Charlotte. Come swim with me."
It was the tradition of the past few days. Georgiana and Mr. Lambe made the most of every opportunity they had to encourage their English friends to engage in activities that would be fairly scandalous in English society.
"Swim with you right now? With all the men about?"
"Yes silly, please, it's my wedding. You can't deny the bride."
Charlotte's independent spirit made the decision for her. They raced to the water, laughing as they went.
"Are you happy, Georgiana?"
"I have never been so happy before, Charlotte. I would try to explain the feeling to you but the same feeling is written all across your face whenever you're around Sidney." They paddled out a bit further in the warm evening waves. "Speaking of Sidney, has he made his intentions clear yet?"
Charlotte opened her mouth to answer but ended up sucking in a good gulp of seawater as Georgiana dunked her under the water. She came up sputtering.
"Sorry Charlotte, the menfolk were too close. Wouldn't want them to hear our delicate discussions." Georgiana teased and laughed as Otis scooped her up in his arms.
Charlotte nearly choked again as she noticed the bare chests of Otis and Mr. Lambe and Sidney. She wasn't used to being around half-clothed men. She turned her back to them, floating on her back as she stared up at the stars and floated in the waves. This may be Antigua but she had to retain some of her dignity. She soaked up the quietness the water offered and the canvas of the evening sky with the first stars starting to shine. Oh, if only everything could stay this perfect.