Sidney goes back home melancholy. It broke his heart to break Charlotte's. He wanted so badly to have been able to come home and propose, but it was not to be and now Charlotte was gone.
Charlotte arrives home and settles. She tells her family of her time in Sanditon, but doesn't mention Sidney. It hurts too much.
Sidney goes through the motions with Eliza. She wants his input on everything wedding wise, but he just doesn't care. He feels like a prisoner getting ready for his last meal.
Sidney and Eliza's wedding day arrives. He can't get through it without drinking. He misses Charlotte. He wants to be marrying Charlotte.
He asks Tom, his brother, Charlotte's address. Her family home. Where does she live? Tom urges him to leave it alone, but Sidney begs. He must see Charlotte. Tom tells him, but tells him to be careful.
It is far too easy to tell Eliza he's taking a business trip. She doesn't care and if she does, doesn't show it.
He sets off for Charlotte's home. Her father answers the door, invites him in. Her mother is beaming. It breaks Sidney's heart to think they think he is here to ask for Charlotte's hand. He wishes he could with everything he had, but not yet.
He invites Charlotte on a walk and she reluctantly accepts.
'so how is married life?', Charlotte asks.
'Busy. Eliza keeps quite the social calendar', Sidney says.
'Does she know you are here with me?', Charlotte asks.
Sidney cannot lie. 'No she doesn't. I told her it was a business trip'.
Charlotte's face falls. 'Sidney, My reputation in society. I cannot risk it'.
'You won't', he says sternly. 'I will finish my business at Sanditon and we will be married'.
'you will cause a scandal leaving her for me. I won't allow it', Charlotte says.
'Charlotte do you not understand we don't love each other?', Sidney asks. 'Do you wish that for me for the rest of my life?'.
'No', she says. 'I wish for you to be happy'.
'and you make me happy. All I want is to be with you Charlotte. Please, wait for me'.
Charlotte sighs. 'I wish you had not come. My family will think you are a suitor'.
'Am I not?', he asks.
'we cannot get engaged or be married right now, Sidney'.
'We are far away from Sanditon, Charlotte. Who is to know?'.
'it will weigh on my conscious, Sidney'.
'Will it not weigh on your conscious I am trapped?', he asks.
Charlotte is quiet a moment. 'Yes, yes it will'.
'I love you, Charlotte. I know you may not believe me but I do'.
'I believe you', Charlotte says quietly. 'I love you too'.
Hearing the words actually come from Charlotte's mouth overwhelm Sidney. He kisses her. He waits to see what she does, but she passionately kisses him back. He looks around to see if anyone is around and sees a tree. He holds Charlotte's hand and pulls her towards it. He leans against it, kissing her again. Suddenly she pulls away. 'Sidney, I can't. you may not love Eliza but she loves you. I can't do this to her'. Sidney sighs. 'Let me take you home'.
Charlotte still feels Sidney on her lips after he's gone. She tells her parents the same lie-he's a friend from Sanditon in town on business. To avoid them thinking he's a suitor, she tells them he's engaged. Sidney had left where he was staying in case she changed her mind. It'd be mad to get involved with him, she tells herself. He lived too far away and for how long could he keep up this business trip lie? What if he was never able to leave Eliza? He didn't mean to make empty promises, she knew that. Her heart was racing. Her head was spinning. She would have to keep up the charade herself. She'd have to keep looking for suitors, even if Sidney was eventually the one. She took a deep breath, grabbed a coat, and snuck out of the house.
She arrives at the Inn Sidney is staying. She knew the owner so she sneaks up the stairs without being seen. She knew Sidney's room number and knocks on the door. He answers. He's shirtless, his beautifully sculpted body only covered by a towel. She doesn't know what to say but it doesn't matter. His lips are quickly on hers as he wraps his arms around her and shuts the door. He was the first boy-man-she'd ever kissed and she didn't know what happened past that. Sidney seems to sense that and takes charge. He lays her carefully on the bed. She feels his arms under her dress, lifting it over head. He kisses her neck and shoulders as he undoes her corset. She digs her face into his neck. 'hold on to me', he whispers. She wraps her arms around his neck as he slips his hands under her dress, sliding off her underwear, then his own towel. 'if this hurts tell me', he says in the softest voice she's ever heard from him. He lays on top of her and slides into her. She gasps. 'are you ok?', he asks. 'yes', she says shakily. Is this what it felt like? He leans in to kiss her. While they kiss, he grinds their hips. They rock back and forth gently. She feels him rub his hands up and down her back so she does the same. She feels a euphoria wash over her. 'Sidney', she says quietly. 'yes?', he says. 'faster', she says. He grunts and picks up speed. His thrusts make Charlotte groan. He's panting and exhausted and pulls out and rolls over. Charlotte, not knowing what to do or say, pulls the blanket up while Sidney catches his breath. 'are you ok?', he asks her. 'Yes', she says. 'are you hurt?', he asks. 'no', she says. 'is it supposed to hurt?'. 'it can', Sidney says. 'the first time or the first few times'. 'I guess we'll Have to keep doing it to find out', she says. He looks at her and kisses her again. This would not be as restrained. He kisses her neck and works his way down, stopping at her breasts. He sucks on each breast, flicking each nipple with his teeth. Charlotte shudders in pleasure. He kisses her stomach and spreads her legs. She feels his tongue inside her and shivers. She involuntarily feels herself grab the sheets. She's light headed. 'Sidney!', she moans. 'do you want me to stop?', he asks. She can't speak so she shakes her head. He works his way back up to her, kissing her stomach, her breasts, her shoulder, her neck and finally their lips meet. They kiss for a while, but Charlotte is falling asleep. 'I can't keep my eyes open', she says. 'that's normal, darling. You're exhausted'. He kisses her cheek. 'sleep'.
Half an hour later, Charlotte wakes in a panic. 'I have to get home'. 'Charlotte, what?', Sidney asks groggily. 'I can't be out this late'. She starts to get dressed. She's halfway out the door when Sidney stops her. 'Charlotte? Will I see you again?'. She smiles and kisses him, then runs. Sidney smiles to himself.