Sidney reached his rooms at his club and needed to work out how to get out of his engagement with Eliza. The $40 000 pounds had to be paid back and he had to find it. Last time he thought it was impossible, and he made a rash decision. Sidney realised he was angry with himself and not his brother. He knew that he was unworthy to have a woman like Charlotte, but she had told him she loved him. He had feared being poor and hadn't trusted himself to find a better way to save Tom. He couldn't let her down this time and needed to follow through with his promise to her. He resolved to sell everything to pay out the contract which will give him time to find a way to generate more money. He decided to write a letter to Thomas who had become an ally and asked him to pass a letter to Charlotte. He wanted her to know that he was doing all he could so they could finally be married.

My dearest Charlotte

I have been at my desk finding a way to get out of the marriage contract with Mrs Campion and have found a solution. To save Tom I was given money in advance and need to give it back to her. I am looking at all of my assets and have resolved to sell everything, so I can be free and offer myself to you. I know that I am unworthy of your love but I cannot live without you. You consume my thoughts and I am driven to distraction when I am near you. I will be coming soon to ask you to marry me.

Yours always

Sidney

Charlotte spent the rest of the day in her room. She was distressed and couldn't control her emotions. Thomas and Susan were concerned for her heath and decided they needed tell her some information that will help the situation.

"Charlotte, my dear… Susan says

"Your father and I are related. When he was a young man he decided to live a quiet life in the country. He is in fact the Duke of Eastwood and is closely related to the present King. Your family is one of the oldest families in the England and your wealth is only second to the King. You were christened Lady Charlotte Susan Sophia of Eastwood" and "Dear, your mother was originally from Belgium and was born HRH Princess Katerina of Belgium. She was the youngest daughter of the King of Belgium and your grandfather is currently the reigning monarch. Charlotte tries to respond but laughs "No, you are joking, my father a Duke and my mother a Princess?". "It is true" confirms Thomas, and you can marry Sidney and save his family. I am happy to go now and tell him?".

"No", cries a serious faced Charlotte "I have given him a choice and I want to see if he chooses me alone".

Thomas giving her Sidney's letter and after reading it she cries in relief. He was fighting for him and she prayed he would be able to get out of the contract. Zeus and Hercules had taken up their positions on the bed and she embraces each dog. Charlotte didn't know when she would see him but knew he was coming for her.

Sidney had visited his solicitor just before closing hour and formally arranged the cancellation of the marriage contract. He had also started the process of liquidating his assets. The evidence of Eliza's affairs had triggered the automatic cancellation of the marriage contract and he only had to pay back $20 000 of the $40 000 which he organised to be transferred into Eliza's bank account. As he left the solicitor's office he felt a huge sense of relief and was finally a free man. He hoped Thomas had given Charlotte his letter and knew that she knew he would coming to offer for her. Self doubt crowding his mind 'she was clearly above his status and why would she choose a poor man who had passed her over. But he had to remind himself that she had told him she loved him.

He had decided to personally visit Mrs Campion and inform her of the cancelation of their agreement. Eliza was preparing to attend an event that evening and didn't have the time. She was angry with him for being aloof these last couple of weeks and she was going to punish him. "We can speak tomorrow, and I have decided that we cannot help your family" and leaves with her sister. He wasn't going to be put off and writes a letter and gives it to the butler.

Walking from Mrs Campion's house for the last time he felt free. He was going to propose to his dearest Charlotte at the earliest opportunity and nothing was going to get in his way this time.