Sidney arrived at his brother's house to inform them of his decision and needed to warn them that it might be difficult times coming for the family. He had come to realise he had to let his brother suffer for his own mistakes. It was not going to be easy but Charlotte had shown him how he could help without being manipulated. On arrival he discovered that Tom and Mary were going out. He was disappointed as he needed to speak with his brother.

"Mary, you are looking lovely tonight" compliments Sidney

"thank you, I'm sorry that we will not be here tonight" Mary seeing Sidney's despondent face took pity on him "one of our friends couldn't come, would you like to go in his place?" Sidney nods and thought there may be a moment in the night he could speak with his brother. "I will go and get changed" He dresses quickly and is ready by the time the carriage arrives.

"We have promised to pick up Charlotte" comments Mary and see a smilie appear on her brother-in-law's face. Fate was finally shining upon Sidney and knew he would have his chance to ask Charlotte to marry him. "Sidney!... the carriage has arrived and we must not be late!" Tom cries.

In fact it was Thomas and Susan who had arranged matters so Charlotte would be picked up by the Parkers. Thomas had predicted that Sidney would be going to visit his brother Tom. "I will wager Mr Sidney Parker has cancelled the marriage contract today and will want to propose to Charlotte. We will see Sidney Parker tonight at the dinner with the Duke and Duchess of York". Susan laughing at her nephew.. "How much will you wager?" By the time the Parker carriage arrived for Charlotte both Susan, Georgina and Thomas had left. She had been a little confused by this arrangement but was happy to go with Mary and Tom. She did stop and wonder when she would see Sidney but had to push that thought out of her mind as she had business to complete tonight. She heard the carriage and gathered the last of her needed items and headed towards the hallway.

The Parker carriage stopped and Sidney quickly got out before his brother and headed to the door. He was accepted into the house and waited for Charlotte. She was walking out of the drawing room and came to a complete stop when she saw Sidney.

"You came back?" and tears formed in her eyes.

Quickly going to her, he takes hold of her hands... placing his forehead against hers. In a low, passionate voice he spoke "I promised I would be back, and I am free to tell you I love you and want to marry you". He didn't care if it was in the hallway, he needed her to know his intentions. She framed his faces with her hands and nodded her acceptance. Tears flowed down her face and he slowly wiped them away with his handkerchief. Leaning down he moved towards her lips for a kiss It started out being gentle and deepened as the months of pain melted away. After they emerged for air they remained close with their foreheads against each other. Sidney breathing out a contented sign and a huge smile across his face. "Thank you for your letter and I hope I get more" smilies Charlotte and gives his own letter from her.

Sidney making sure Charlotte was secure her in his arm they walked out. He would never let her out of his sight. Mary noticed a change in Sidney who was suddenly relaxed and no longer looking tormented. Sidney happily sat next to his dearest Charlotte and was having trouble concentrating. Every time the carriage moved she rubbed against him and it drove his crazy. Her letter was also burning a hole in his pocket and he was going to have to wait till later tonight to read it.

"Thank you, for picking me up, Lady Susan is already there, and Thomas is coming later due to a business commitment" a grateful Charlotte commented to the Parkers.

Charlotte knew that they only had a small amount of time before they arrived at their destination and wanted make sure Tom and Mary were prepared. "Sidney, could you please excuse us for a moment as we have to discuss some matters?". Sidney nodded and watches Mary and Tom each take out their pocket books. In a business like manner Charlotte started talking "I'm going to go through our plan for tonight, ready?" both Tom and Mary nodded and waited for Charlotte to continue. Sidney opened his mouth to speak but was stopped when Charlotte placed her hand on his. "Tom tell me what you are going to do?" he rattles off a number of names of people he was going to talk with. Charlotte then looks at Mary who listed different name. "Okay, I'm going to make sure I talk too..." and she listed other names.

Charlotte looking at Tom "have you been practising your conversations?"

"yes, my dear, Thomas was very helpful" smilies a determined Tom.

"Now what are you NOT going to do" Mary demands

"I am not to try and promote Sanditon but talk about the beauty of the place." Tom replies

"Good" Charlotte says encouraging …" but remember, If there is any talk of the project I'll let Thomas know". Tom laughs but has a serious look on his face.

"The aim of tonight is extending our acquaintance and develop social ties. Tom has the married man, Mary the married women and I have a mix of the unmarried." commented Charlotte.

Charlotte turns to Sidney who had a confused look on his face. "I'm going to need your help tonight, you are going to have to be my protector and escort." Sidney's face turns serious "Charlotte is quite popular and needs a security guard to keep off the admirers. Charlotte is avoiding a certain prince who has asked her to marry him" Charlotte giving Tom a stern look pulls out her fan to hide her embarrassment.

She moves slightly to Sidney "Yes, but I rejected his offer"

The carriage stops, and they get out and Sidney discovers it is the residence of the Duke and Duchess of York. The party divided at the front room and agreed to meet again before being announced. Charlotte firmly holding Sidney's hand as they entered the residence. They separated, Tom speaking quietly to his brother "Thomas and Charlotte have been helping us. I've made some great contacts and business is looking up, I have also been presented with some good investments to increase my cash flow." Sidney looks at his brother "I've never seen you so focused on your work". "You have to thank Charlotte, Lord Thomas and Lady Susan for the change" Tom replies.

Sidney quickly asking his brother "Who proposed marriage to Charlotte? grabbing his arm firmly. "Steady, brother, Charlotte is very popular, and I say well done to her. "Who?" demanded Sidney "HRM Prince Michael of Norway. He was very determined to gain her hand and the money being offered was huge. I couldn't understand why she rejected him, she must have wanted to stay in England." pondered Tom.

Sidney couldn't believe she had chosen him over a prince… she could have been a Princess!.

He started to doubt if her father would accept his offer of marriage as he had only himself to offer. His low view of himself started to rear its ugly head and was frowning when the ladies joined them. Charlotte, May and Tom were all calm and relaxed and it was evident that they had attended a number of similar events before. Sidney was the one nervous and didn't feel he belonged.

A voice beside him said "Mr Parker, don't doubt yourself you are more than equal to any man in this room" he turns and find Charlotte smiling up at him. He smiles back and feels that everything will be fine as she was going to be with him. He felt she was able read his thoughts and emotions.

"So this is not your usual habitat?" Charlotte taking out her fan and he laughs." Do you know my love, that night was when I realised I was in love with you. Unfortunately, I was alone in that knowledge and had to watch you socialise with Eliza". A sad look came over Sidney and she places her arm in his. "We don't need to worry about the past as we now have each other" shared Charlotte. With her eyes she communicated her love for him which boosted his confidence. For the world Sidney had created a hard shell and appeared to be tough but in reality, he was a soft soul that was finally getting air for the first time in years.

Charlotte had been able to crack his impregnable heart and was redeeming him.

Looking around she says to Sidney "Since we are in such high circles I suggest we stick together as you can see your brother is fine. Thomas has been introducing him around. Sidney 's respect for Thomas increased and he was grateful for the help he was giving his brother. She also pointed out Arthur and Diana which greatly surprised Sidney. "Arthur and Diana hold their own at these events and don't be surprise if they are engaged by the end of the season. We need Tom to be able to stand on his own feet and no longer put pressure on you my love, you don't deserve that". Sidney couldn't believe the effort she was putting in even when she thought he was lost to her.

"I wish we were alone" he tenderly suggests and she laughs "Why Mr Parker, you are being forward tonight but confess I am thinking the same thing". You are right about the dangers of the royal circle, I am grateful to Susan, but I have been getting the attention of a number of gentlemen who make me feel uncomfortable."

Sidney sees that no one was looking and found them a quiet place for them to sit. He had taken on an intense protective look and took some deep breaths to calm himself. "Thomas normally watches over me, your brother doesn't usually notice. I was starting to worry about tonight as I didn't know you were coming. She points towards some men with her fan "Lord Campbell, Lord Lassie and Lord Simon, all younger sons of Dukes, who are not looking for a wife and I believe they may know that London boarding house?" Charlotte lifted her eyebrows at Sidney and he agrees with her assessment.

"I have had to be creative in getting away from that pack of young men" Sidney's face took on a look she had only seen when he dealt with Ottis.

Taking his hands which had become fisted "Also could you make sure no one touches my drink? These men are known to put things in ladies drink to take advantage of them. Thomas was able to save me last week as I was a target of Lord Campbell and his cronies". Sidney couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Thankfully I only drank half the cup and Thomas noticed before I passed out. They were able to get me home and give me the antidote to the poison". Charlotte could see Sidney growing angry. He takes her to a side room and sits her down. "What do you mean you were poisoned?" questions Sidney. He got up and started to pace and he was clenching his hands in fists. She waited until he stopped and asked him to sit down and he pulls her into an embrace. "I could have lost you Charlotte, I will be watching those men all evening" a determined Sidney speaks into her ear. "I always feel safe with you and know that you can take anyone down when you are angry". He laughs but at the same time ashamed of his rough reputation. He promised he would show self control and never leave her side. "Good" getting up she offers her hand and they walk out of the room together.

"How do you want me to introduce you?" Giving him a bright smile… "My father told me it is my decision whom I can marry so I will be introducing you as my betrothed so you can claim my attention anytime" smiles Charlotte and was rewarded with a tender smile.

Charlotte looks at Sidney " I am going to put on my high circle manners so don't laugh at me. We will be introduced to a number of people and we need to play some cards with the people I mentioned in the carriage."

They enter the card room and Sidney notices that Thomas was playing cards with Tom and a group of gentlemen. Charlotte going straight over to him to tells him their news and Sidney receives a firm handshake. She points towards the table they need to go and play at. "There are a number of men who have some of Tom's debts and we are trying to work out what their weaknesses so we can negotiate deals. It is important you don't look like you are going to kill them… follow my lead. I also have a number of people who have some business interest Thomas and I want to invest in" directs Charlotte. Charlotte was in fact getting information for investing purposes and playing cards gave her a good reflection of their business decisions. Cards are always the best way to tell a man's heart. Sidney played with too much emotion and this was true in his real life. After a couple of games, they decided to leave the table and headed out for some fresh air.

They headed to a quiet space in the side room and were joined by Mary. Charlotte breaths out relaxing for the first time and the three of them talked about the Heywood and Parker family. Mary warns Charlotte "I heard there's going to be dancing, Lord Lucy was telling Tom and he was asking where you were." Charlotte getting out her fan and gives them an annoyed look. "The other night I spent an evening hiding in the library of Lady South's to avoid Lord Campbell. He becomes quite determined when he is drunk, at least Mr Crowe was pleasant. It is not the first time I have had to go over a balcony to avoid those men" laughs Charlotte but stops when she sees Sidney's furious face

"Where was your chaperone" he asks

"She has her own men to watch out for. I tell you Mary living with you was much easier and safer". She looks at Sidney and always felt safe with him even when they were angry with each other. Looking at him "Please don't leave me?" he nods and Charlotte relaxes her shoulders and leans closer to Mary and the women start talking about the children.

There was a moment when he had to step out and when he returned the dancing had started. He saw the look of horror on Charlotte's face when a group of men were heading towards her and Mary. He walks quickly and calls over them "Charlotte, remember you promised to dance with me" she excused herself and walks away. "Thank you, I've been told there is going to be four sets of dancing" says Charlotte" "well, I guess I'll be dancing the four sets with you" smiles back Sidney. Charlotte loved dancing and it showed every time.

As they danced Sidney just focused on her... Charlotte was the woman who truly understood him and loved him the way he was. You couldn't put a price on that love.

Later that evening three young men surround Sidney and demand he leave Miss Charlotte Heywood alone. Sidney who had never backed down from a fight returned their threats with his own. " Miss Heywood is not your concern and I would suggest for your won safety you leave her alone or you will be answerable to me". His growling voice and threatening stare communicated clearly his point. He watched the three men walk away and made sure he never left the side of Charlotte the entire evening.