The dinner ended and the company moved to the sitting room for coffee and biscuits. The gentlemen decided to stay with the ladies that evening. Neither Sidney nor Arthur felt comfortable in the presence of Tom these days. Having the ladies present was certainly a buffer that was welcomed by both of them. Tom continued being vigilant with his observations and for the first time sensed how uncomfortable his brothers felt around him. It made him very sad that it got to this stage. Yet, the only person to blame was himself.

The group divided in groups. Mrs Heywood, Lady Susan and Diana were having a discussion on the latest fashion on sleeves, Alison and Arthur were discussing her performance in the tag game which has impressed the youngest Parker brother immensely and Tom was sitting with Mary reading a book of poetry they shared during their courtship days.

This left both Charlotte and Sidney adequately chaperoned talking quietly in the furthest corner of the room. Sidney took his chance to tell Charlotte about the doctor's visit tomorrow afternoon and perhaps ask her about Frederick.

'Charlotte, my love, how have you been feeling?'

Charlotte looked up at her betrothed in a puzzled manner which caused her to scrunch her brow in thought- an action that Sidney found utterly adorable. He wanted to kiss it away.

'I am well, Sidney, why do you ask?'

Sidney suddenly felt very shy. He did not want to embarrass her. 'Well, my love, you were a bit flushed during dinner. I was just concerned that you were feeling unwell.'

Charlotte grinned at him 'Oh, Sidney, I am perfectly fine. The room was very warm, that is all. You should know why. You were sitting right next to me. I could hardly concentrate on my food with you holding my hand throughout dinner.'

Sidney kissed her hand lovingly and said, 'You were a wonderful distraction yourself. I don't think I even remember what I ate. Yet, Charlotte, I worry. You have said that you wanted to be out and about more. I worry that you will relapse, my love, and my heart could not take it if anything happened to you. The first time nearly killed me- the second one would finish me off. Would you not consider seeing Dr Levinson one last time for him to check that everything is in order? For me? It would make me feel better. '

She sighed rather loudly which caused Mrs Heywood look at her. Her motherly spidery instincts were awoken by Charlotte's sigh. Charlotte noticed her mother's reaction and smiled at her reassuringly. Her mother was appeased and turned her attention to her conversation again.

She then turned to look at the anxious face of her betrothed. She told him in mock anger, 'I will if it so important for you. Yet, know this- I refuse to stay in that bedroom a moment longer than necessary. I intend to spend most of my time out of the house.'

Sidney grinned widely at her, 'Thank you, my love. Mary has asked him tomorrow for tea. Talking about bedrooms though, I will remind you though that there will come a time after we are married that you would only want to spend time in the bedroom and nowhere else. I am certainly looking forward to that time myself very much indeed.'

Charlotte blushed at that. She returned the tease, 'I can certainly imagine the bedroom being a more interesting room if you happen to be in it at the same time.'

Sidney shook his head at her and she could see the slight blush on his cheeks. Sidney thought to himself that only his Charlotte even had the power to make him feel like a teenager in love.

He had to ask about Frederick though. He was burning with curiosity. 'Charlotte, who is Frederick? Tell me about him.'

She expected that question. She did not want to keep any secrets from him. 'Frederick is our second cousin from mama's side. Frederick Wentworth is his full name. He lives in the North of England where the rest of mama's family comes from. He used to spend his summers at Willingden until he joined the navy at the age of 15. He is currently the captain of the Laconia. He has not come to see for a while. Papa mentioned in his letter to mama that he would bring him along to Sanditon.'

Sidney shifted in his seat slightly and asked cautiously, 'And...what do... you... think of him?'

She smirked at him fondly and said, 'Frederick is very handsome and popular amongst the Heywood ladies.'

This comment made Sidney frown and huff indignantly, 'I see...Anything else I should know?'

Charlotte laughed aloud at that reaction which made Sidney scowl even more. 'Really, Charlotte, I do not see how that is funny!'

She kept giggling for a few minutes until she collected herself enough to respond, 'It is merely that you are jealous of a cousin that you have not yet met. It is utterly adorable, my prince.'

She went all serious then, he took his hand and looked at him adoringly, 'You have no reason to worry. I think of Frederick as my cousin. I only love one man and that man is you. It has always been you ever since I met you with Mary at the cliffs for the first time- do you remember when you mistook me for the maid?

Yes, I will admit, I used to have a youthful crush on Frederick. So did Allie. So did all the ladies at the village of Willingden. He is a handsome man but he holds no candle to you, my love.'

Sidney squeezed her hand at her words and sighed happily, 'What a relief! I guess I will make my own mind about him next week. It doesn't mean I will not keep an eye on you when he is around. You are far too precious to lose, my sweet.'

She retorted, 'I would expect no less of you. I expect the full courtship process, kind sir with no shortcuts! What did you think when you saw me at the cliffs with Mary? I have always wondered. Will you tell me?'

He smiled at the memory and said, 'I remember I was angry for having to visit Sanditon upon Tom's insistence that day. I did not know who you were at the time but I think it was love at first sight for me as well.

Not that I wanted to admit it at the time. I resisted until I could not resist any more. You somehow managed to bypass the wall I had encased my heart in and smashed it in smithereens. The beauty of it thought was that had no airs and no idea that you had done that.

In fact, I got angrier and scowled at myself even more for falling under your charm. That is why I pretended not to know your name after Mary introduced us. I did not want to show my weakness.'

She giggled, 'What a brave attempt not to succumb, my darling Sidney! I am glad you did in the end. Look where we are now.'

Both Sidney and Charlotte's discussion was observed by everyone in the room. They were all happy for them. Tom continued observing the people around him. He was still sitting next to Mary and they were looking through the list of poems. She was telling him how she liked Shakespeare's sonnets, which of course he made a note for the future.

Yet, he was slightly distracted again by Charlotte and Sidney's interaction. He kicked himself again on how stupid he had been. They looked so happy. Sidney's face was open and affable as when he was young. Charlotte only had eyes for Sidney. He really has to apologise to both of them for putting them through such an unnecessary hardship.