"One of the tests for longevity in a relationship is how issues are dealt with. Two people can fall in love, have amazing chemistry, compatibility, and be deeply connected at the soul level. And yet, love can be sacrificed on the altar of misunderstanding because of unhealed wounds and perceptions. Unless there is clear communication and a resolve by both partners to be understanding and recognize what is being triggered by ego, even the greatest love story can fall to pieces. At the end of the day, love is a choice. We get to choose whether we will fight for what we believe in, or to give up when the love-thief comes to try and steal the dream. True love is always worth fighting for."
~ Daniel Nielsen
Tom reached his room at last and sat heavily on his favourite armchair. He was in despair! In a matter of minutes, he had lost his family, his parental inheritance, his siblings, his gentlemanly status, and his yearly income! He was horrified! Mr Thompson told him that he was to be given £40 per year, a labourer's fee. He was going to be ridiculed by the whole town and his workers!
He realised that he was well on his way to having a panic attack. He needed to think! He breathed deeply, first in and then out. He repeated the same pattern until he could feel his heart resume its normal rhythm. Only then did he go to the brandy decanter at the corner of the room and poured himself two fingers of the amber liquid, which he downed outright. He then replaced the glass on the tray carefully, went to sit on his desk chair, brought out of his drawer a blank piece of paper, and stared blankly at it as if he was expecting it to come to life and blame him as well.
Tom had never really been an introspective type of person. Yet, his current circumstances forced him to become one such person. He had to plan what he was going to do next. With a heavy sigh that could rival the most talented actor, he picked up the feathered quill, dipped it in the amber ink bowl, and drew a vertical line dividing the page into two vertical columns. He named the first column 'The future' and the second one 'The past.' His writing pace increased as he started filling in each column with his thoughts.
He outlined all that he had lost in the 'Past' column with brutal honesty. Once he was done with that column, he worked on the one for his 'future'. The first thing he wrote was £40 per year. He was disgusted with himself. Despite having just lost his entire family's respect and support, he wrote down the annual income he was to receive as well as ideas on what projects to use it on! He indeed was a despicably, selfish human being! He should be begging for his family's forgiveness, not thinking of himself!
Yet, for some reason, he felt free for the first time in years. He felt as if the heavy chains of obligation and duty had been lifted from his previously unaware weary form to allow him to heave a sigh of heartfelt relief. He realised that he had just been given a chance to find his real self again.
He wanted to find that young teenager inside him whose father had made him abandon his true passion of wood carving for the sake of finance and business. Tom was eager to nurture the love for his family again and take the world by storm on his own terms. He found it ironic on how similar he was with Sidney on that respect however whimsical the idea sounded to his ears. It made him smile despite his dire circumstances.
He looked pensively at the white ceiling. What did he love doing? He certainly loved wood carving and creating new figurines to delight his children. He also loved putting a smile on his wife's face. In which order though, he wondered? Carving first? Mary or the children? If he were honest with himself, he did not know. However, he would follow this instinct and find out.
His wife and siblings were providing him a clean slate. Suddenly feeling all energised, he started to add entries on the future column frantically. He wrote about his apprenticeship under his yearly income with a note to self to ask his friend about the payment terms. His pay would not be much, but it was something. He would be doing something that he loved. That put a bright smile on his face.
He kept on writing. His other concern was where he would live. Would his siblings and Mary allow him to live in Trafalgar House? He added the sentence on the paper and put a question mark next to it- that would be a question for Mr. Thompson.
More questions kept cropping up in his head. Mary! He needed to speak to her at his earliest opportunity. She said she would go to her parents. He would do his best to talk to her before her departure. If not, he could write to her- he would ask her.
What about his children? How would he see them? He would have no carriages or horses to travel. Travelling by post would have to suffice.
His siblings? He groaned at the thought of them. What would he say to them? Charlotte? The Heywoods? Lady Susan? All those thoughts were taking him towards a downward spiral again! Despair was creeping in! Positive thinking, Tom! Focus man!
His thoughts started drifting back to his childhood and inevitably on his childhood friend, James Smith. The thought of his friend made him smile more. He had at least one person to turn to. James Smith, his mother, and sister could be beacons of hope in this mess. He could confide in his friend. James would tell him what to do. He would ask him when he came to tea tomorrow at 15.00.
Suddenly he felt exhausted. It was still the afternoon. Yet he needed a good nap to regroup and make some sort of decision for his future. So off he went to bed!
It was not a restful sleep. Tom was tossing and turning, twisting the sheets on the bed in an erratic manner. His brow was sweating profusely, and agonising murmurs of Mary's and the children's names came out of his mouth. His dream was terrifying in its intensity when he found himself in an empty white room chasing after his wife and his children. They were fading away as if they had never been there in the first place. The moment they disappeared from his dream; he woke up bathed in cold sweat.
He knew just what to do. It suddenly dawned on him that he had never given Mary the chance to know him for real. He was ashamed to say that he kept his most innermost self from her even during their original courtship. She knew the visionary with the misplaced enthusiasm for Sanditon but not the real Tom.
He got up hurriedly, made himself presentable, and rushed to his writing desk. He started writing as if the demons of hell were behind him. For the first time in his life, he wrote an honest six-page-long letter to his beloved wife. He told her everything- all his insecurities, all his demons, his childhood sorrows, his father, and his expectations of him.
He also wrote to her about his most innermost feelings and his carving. How he loved it, and he would love to pass on his skill to the children and to her. He told her about his only friend and his family.
He, furthermore, wrote about his love for her and their children. He pleaded with her to be given another chance to win her trust back. He told her that he would start his apprenticeship, work on the burned apartments. He asked for an opportunity to court her again in whichever way she wanted. He expressed his wish to take them all on a picnic. He would do whatever she expected of him, providing she would only give him a chance to redeem himself. Whatever and however long it took to win her back.
At the end of the sixth page, he looked at the clock on the mantelpiece noticing that it had just gone 16.30. His hand ached from the effort of writing. He ignored the discomfort since it was no less than he deserved. He sealed the letter and put it on the side of the desk.
He had no idea where anyone was. He would take the risk, and his wife's justified wrath at him. If only she would read his letter. That is all he could expect at this stage. He would win one battle at a time. He sighed resignedly, washed his face, changed his attire, and went in search of his wife.
The house was airily quiet when he walked with leaden feet towards Mary's room. He knocked on the door quietly, but no one invited him in. He shuddered, bent his head, and put the letter under the door, hoping against hope that he was not too late.
Once the letter was delivered, he went back to his room. He had to make amends with his siblings. How? By letter? Perhaps. He realised that he had never really written to any of them as long they had known him. He hid from them as well. He had a lot of grovelling to do, and there was not even a guarantee that it would get him anywhere.
He wrote a letter to each of them, showing them his real self. He told them of things they never knew as he never took the trouble to tell them. He explained all about the apprenticeship and his intention to help with the rebuilding of the apartments. He apologised profusely to each of them in turn.
The most difficult letter for him to write apart from the one to Mary was the one to Sidney. He was horrified by how much he had taken Sidney for granted. He poured his soul in the letter confessing all he felt and expressed his sincere apologies for being the cause for him nearly losing Charlotte. He expected nothing of his brother.
Tom also realised that he never took the trouble to become acquainted with Arthur and Diana. He was amazed at his youngest brother. He had an uncanny knack to forgive. He was so jealous of that. And Diana? What did he know of his sister? Nothing! He dismissed her outright without a second thinking. His letter addressed to her was equally heartfelt. Well, at least in his opinion.
The clock indicated that it was already six in the evening. Tom realised that he had been writing for the past three hours. Oh, the damage he had wrought! After sealing the letters to his siblings, Tom picked another piece of paper to write to Mr Thompson. He had a clear head now, and the questions poured from him. He asked the solicitor about the income of £40 per year, what he could do with that and what he was not. That would be a start. It was necessary to know where he stood. That letter was also finished and sealed by half-past six.
The writing of the letters proved to be the easiest part, though. The tricky part was now to deliver them to their recipients and grow a backbone. He needed to take control of his life. He would go to Arthur and Diana's house and then to the hotel to speak to Sidney. He decided to go to the hotel first and square things with Sidney.
He stood up wearily, wore his coat, and placed the letters in the coat's inside pocket. He opened the door, and he was simply about to walk out of his bedroom when he spotted his sobbing wife on his doorstep. For what it looked like hours, they were standing looking at each other. He moved aside without a word, and she went into the room.
The silence between the two felt awful. Tom did by no means dare break it. Neither did Mary. It felt like a discreet truce after a long battle. She abruptly got up and picked up the small carved figure that he had fashioned. She gazed up at him and back at the small figurine of a woman with three children. She stroked it gently and then placed it back on the desk.
She kept staring at him as if she attempted to expose the hidden depths of his soul. He still dared not speak. He obviously did not know what to say. He waited her out patiently.
Mary finally said, 'I read your letter. What took you so long, Tom?'
He swallowed visibly and answered as timidly as he was able to, 'I was terrified you would consider it a weakness as other people have done. It has been beaten into me since I was five years that a man must conceal their feelings.
That is precisely why I took up carving. It turned out to be a way of expressing those repressed feelings in a generally acceptable way. Once that was taken away from me, I suppose that I just switched this part of me off up until it was resurrected a few hours earlier when I realised that everything was lost. I was required to reach out to the last few remnants of my sanity that I had left.'
She focussed her attention on his words and his body language. She understood that he was telling her the truth. She grasped that all that pretence to stay one step ahead of everyone was a safeguard strategy to save face. It was the only face that he had been tutored to share with the outside world and eventually herself. She discovered that this sad, humble, and vulnerable man in front of her was somebody whom she had not met before. The man in front of her turned out to be the real Tom. She needed to get to know him all over again.
She replied, 'This is a Tom whom I have never encountered. I would be an honour to make his acquaintance and get to know him. Still, I need a straight answer from you. Did you mean what you said in your letter to me? You would give up Sanditon?'
Faint hope flourished in his heart at her words. Could it be? Might he have yet another chance to win her trust and affection back?
He responded and moved his head up and down as excitedly as a child who is currently being given a treat, 'Yes, Mary, I meant it. My friend James offered me a carving apprenticeship and the opportunity to focus on my passion. It was everything I had ever wanted to do. Sanditon was an unfortunate pipe dream that I used as an outlet for my creativity. I allowed it spiral to my absolute disadvantage, and I would not listen to reason. I wish to follow my dream and spend additional time with my family. I hope to make it up to my siblings and fix any damage that I have inflicted. I will accept any terms and conditions you all set me. I want to make it up to all of you for the suffering that I have caused.'
She grinned at his words, 'Well, if this is the case, I look forward to getting to know you better then.'
He smiled happily at her and inquired cautiously, 'May I court again, Mary? Might we start again? Please?'
She nodded approvingly at his request thanking her lucky stars that she had not sent the letter to her parents yet, 'Yes, Tom, you may.'
The genuine joy on his face made her heart flutter anew, and she delighted at the feeling. She could not resist, so she went to kiss him. She took him by surprise at the outset but returned the kiss eagerly. They were happily employed in reacquainting themselves for the next couple of hours. They spoke about everything, and then they set the foundation to get to know one another again. All was out in the open—a tidy slate for them both for a new beginning with no hidden truths.
Thus, the sight of an over-attentive Tom towards Mary cheered the heart of hearts of Sidney, Arthur, and Diana when they brought the children back at Trafalgar House just after eight in the evening. The children were bundled up in their nursery, ready for their dinner. The siblings did not take the trouble to ask either parent as they felt that the family gathering was at last going to occur.
The meeting did, indeed, happen. Tom and Mary were in the sitting room when they caught up with them. Tom gave each of his siblings a letter to read along with the letter their father had given him. He asked them to read both documents before they talked.
All three siblings appreciated a calmer, happier Tom with no exuberant moods. It was a delightful change that they indeed approved of very much. They took their time to read their letters. In the meantime, Tom devoted his whole attention to his wife, trying awfully hard not to wince at his siblings' reactions to the notes.
He did not have to wait for a long time. Nothing was said at first. Sidney gave Arthur and Diana a small glass of brandy each and poured one for himself. You could slice the tension in the room with a knife. On the one hand, Sidney's black look of anger was highly visible to everyone. On the other hand, Arthur looked nervously between Tom and Sidney, trying to predict who was going to speak first. Finally, poor Diana had no words to express what she felt at present.
Moreover, Mary was observing everyone's reaction. She understood Sidney's anger. It was evident to her that he would have loved nothing better than to beat Tom within inches of his life just to feel better. Yet, his self-imposed self-control was impressive as it showed his respect for both hers and Charlotte's feelings.
In the end, Sidney looked at Mary questioningly. She tried to communicate her thoughts to him with her eyes, which made Sidney sigh resignedly. He rolled his eyes at her and nodded slightly. This was reason enough for her to smile widely at him.
Tom, Arthur, and Diana were puzzled at this silent communication between Mary and Sidney. They could not have known that Sidney was fretting because of how Tom had treated Mary. She was communicated to her brother-in-law in her own way that she had forgiven her husband and that they were trying again to build their marriage up.
Sidney understood the message loud and clear. He could see that Mary was happy, and that would have to enough for him for now. A slight smile on his lips told her that he was okay with this, and her returning smile confirmed her understanding. Only then did his anger relent enough to stop a further frown from marring his handsome face.
The room somehow became more cheerful as the tension subsided. Tom felt it as well to his relief. He looked at Mary, who smiled and nodded at him to go ahead. Tom was still terrified. Yet, he knew that he had to try.
'I am aware that neither of you may want to speak to me again after everything I have put you through. The letters I have given you will justify none of my actions. I wrote those epistles to show you how it felt to be me. I am by no means a perfect person. There is no such thing. However, I want you to get to know the real me. Please allow me to get to know you as well.
These are my plans. To start with, I will back off from the Sanditon project completely. I will then accept the carving apprenticeship that my friend James Smith has offered me. He will come to tea with his sister and mother at 15.00 tomorrow if you wish to meet him. He is my oldest friend—the one I had to give up at our father's behest.
In addition to the above, I want to help with the rebuilding of the apartments, learn how to build them from scratch and work with the workers. If that means a loss of stature as a gentleman, so be it. I was never one to start with if you judge how I have treated all of you.
To sum up, Mr Thompson mentioned that I would get £40 per year. That is good enough for me. I want nothing else.'
Arthur, Diana, and Sidney were stunned at Tom's speech. They have never heard him speak thus before. They looked at each other in surprise.
Sidney opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. The only words that came out were, 'How can we trust you after all you have done, Tom?' Sidney did not know it then, but he had voiced everyone's thoughts with his question.
Tom bowed his head as he had fully expected this question. He took the figurine he had carved from his pocket and put it in Sidney's hands. Sidney looked at him puzzled and asked again, 'What is this? Who made it?'
'I did, Sidney. That is where my passion lies. I will frankly admit that this carved figurine is no reason for you to trust me. However, I will go where my passion takes me. My passion is carving and my family. Losing those two would kill me. I will do no such thing. If my motives are selfish, then so be it.'
Sidney looked at the figurine admiringly and nodded at his eldest brother. He commented with a cheeky smile, 'Yes, I believe you are correct in that. You will not do that. By the way, you are rather good at this carving of yours. Charlotte asked me to convey her congratulations. She saw the figurine that you had carved for Alicja at the beach. I saw it as well. It was rather good.'
Tom blushed like a schoolboy, and that made the whole room erupt with laughter. It broke the ice, and Tom even joined in after getting over his embarrassment. Mary squeezed her husband's hand affectionately, and he looked at her with misty eyes.
Diana took courage and piped up nervously, 'As we are all sharing news, I have some to share. Dr Levinson has asked to court me. I admire him as well, so I have accepted. He will come to ask you, Tom, Sidney, and Arthur, formally once I tell him that I have shared the news to you. You see, my dear brothers, Sanditon enchanted him to such a degree that he wishes to make our town his permanent base to practise medicine.'
Mary shot up from her seat and went to hug her sister-in-law. She gushed, 'Oh Diana, that is such wonderful news! Congratulations!' The three brothers congratulated her heartily as well. They reassured their sister that they would be delighted to speak to her beau.
Sidney also felt that it was time to share his news with his family, 'Well, might as well tell you all. Charlotte has accepted my hand. She is to be my wife. It was all settled with her parents earlier today.'
The room erupted again with excitement. Mary and Diana each hugged Sidney and were beyond happy to gain Charlotte as a sister. Both Tom and Arthur shook a grinning Sidney's hand in congratulations.
The whole Parker family was joyful during their dinner this Saturday evening as they enjoyed more lively conversation and laughter than any other time in the past. It felt as if a black cloud had been lifted from their souls. It was true that they had to learn to function as a family unit again which would take some doing. However, neither of them had any doubts that good news all around would only encourage that process.
It was also the first time the three brothers spoke to each other on an equal and amicable basis. They kept the conversation to neutral topics. Tom grabbed his chance to give both Sidney and Arthur a quick carving lesson. Arthur enjoyed handling the wood and seemed quite skilled at carving simple small figurines.
Sidney, however, did not take to it too well. He accepted this defeat in good humour, laughing at himself for his folly. He finally recognised then what Tom meant about his passion for carving. He could see his eldest brother's face come alight with joy as he was explaining to them how to slide the knife on the wood. It was a joy to see.
Sidney himself had no interest in any sort of artistic pursuit which made any creative tasks feel like a chore. He could hardly imagine what his eldest brother went through, not being able to do what he loved. It gave him a better understanding of why Tom struggled with the financial side of the Sanditon project. It was a difficult task for him. Yet, it was not for Sidney. He loved numbers and the excitement that came with the solution of a problem. He reluctantly concluded that both Arthur and Tom shared the creativity gene more than him.
He also realised how astute in their observations both Charlotte and his future mother-in-law had been. Charlotte implored him to give his eldest brother another chance whilst his mother-in-law insisted that he should stay with his family this evening to clear the air. He felt right down to his bones that being a member of the Heywood clan would be the making of him.
Unaware of Sidney's ruminations, Mary and Diana rejoiced at seeing the three Parker brothers getting on so well. They thoroughly enjoyed discussing Dr Levinson, Charlotte, wedding plans, and whatever else came to mind without a care in the world. The evening came at an end with the promise that they would meet for tea tomorrow at 15.00. Arthur and Diana headed towards their house, Sidney towards the hotel and Tom and Mary towards their room.
A tired but happy Sidney reached his room where he found Charlotte's note under his door asking him to join her family and Lady Susan for breakfast tomorrow. The thought of seeing her again so soon made him grin widely. Oh my, he was besotted, and he loved it! He could not help thinking about what happened when he was at the hotel.
He remembered both Arthur's and his dejected moods as they walked in the hotel lobby. They were a bundle of nerves as they thought of the children. What would they tell them?
Their grim fears must have shown on their faces when they met Charlotte coming out of the sitting room. Their worried faces made her blood run cold, and she ran to them. Despite being like a cat on hot bricks, Sidney's heart missed a beat upon the sight of his love. He took her hand, kissed it gently, and guided her to the hotel's sitting room.
They saw the Heywood and the Parker children playing happily at the end of the room and the adults having a pleasant conversation. There was an empty space between Lady Susan and her mother. He whispered in Charlotte's ear that he would explain shortly and pleaded with his eyers for her to sit between the two ladies. His gesture did not reassure Charlotte in the least. It only made her anxiety since she was already on pins and needles from the urgency to find out what had happened! Lady Susan and Charlotte's mother eyed him suspiciously. The last thing they wanted was to see Charlotte relapse due to excess distress. In the meantime, Arthur went to sit next to Miss Emily instead.
Sidney addressed Mr Heywood 'Mr. Heywood, sir, might we have a word in private for a moment?' To start with, Charlotte's father looked at his prospective son-in-law for a long moment. The young man displayed a calm façade which was marred by his troubled brown eyes and his slightly hunched back. Mr Heywood then directed his gaze at Charlotte's pale and anxious face.
It did not take him long to arrive at his decision. He asked the nursery nurses to take the children upstairs and Lady Susan if she could please stay with Arthur and Emily while Mrs Heywood, Charlotte, Sidney, and himself went to the private sitting room upstairs.
Lady Susan assured Mr Heywood that she would do his bid and Arthur sent his brother an encouraging nod in return. Sidney gave his younger brother a pained look accompanied by a sad smile. The interactions between the two brothers made Charlotte panic, even more, making her face seem paler and more pinched than usual. Eventually, the children were safely ensconced in their bedrooms, so the Heywood parents, along with a very pale Charlotte and a silent Sidney, headed towards the private sitting room.
Lady Susan decided that some tea would benefit everyone in question. Therefore, arrangements for tea were made, and fresh tea was delivered to the sitting room where she was with Arthur and Emily, upstairs with Charlotte and Sidney, and snacks to keep the children happy.
She had the sneaky suspicion that it was going to be an exceptionally long wait. Well, there was nothing for it. She would cherish the opportunity to enjoy Emily and Arthur's company. Might as well aid this fledgeling romance.
At this stage she would do anything to distract her from seeing Charlotte's blanched face earlier. She had no idea how Alison and her mother had dealt with their feelings during Charlotte's unconscious state. That was her last gloomy thought before the refreshments arrived, and she started discoursing with the two young people under her supervision.
The solemn party upstairs had only just entered the Heywoods' private sitting when a maid came in with refreshments. Mrs Heywood poured for all of them, and they enjoyed a slight repast while dancing around the elephant in the room. Nobody dared mention anything until they fortified themselves with food and drank each for their own reasons.
Sidney was both as nervous as a schoolboy now that the time came to ask Charlotte's parents for her hand in marriage and anxious about imparting to them the latest developments at Trafalgar House. Unbeknown to him, Charlotte and her parents were stilling themselves for bad tidings.
Mr Heywood eyed Sidney with a demanding look, making Sidney adjust his necktie as it suddenly felt too tight. He decided to go for it like a man. He addressed Charlotte's parents, 'Mr. and Mrs. Heywood, I... would like... to ask for Charlotte's... hand in marriage.'
He felt even more nervous, but he bravely went on, 'I love her deeply. She has agreed to marry me, and we... would like... for your blessing.' The tension immediately disappeared, changing to unbridled joy in Charlotte's chest. So much, so that happy tears started pouring from her eyes. Charlotte grinned at her fiancé widely and went to sit next to him, placing his free hand firmly in hers. He looked up at her lovely face smiling back at her. They then faced her parents together.
Both her parents were overjoyed to give their consent, making Charlotte get up from her seat to hug them warmly to express her delight at their blessing. Sidney felt as if he had narrowly missed being shot down. His relief was so palpable that his wide smile was covering his whole face. Both Mr and Mrs Heywood welcomed him to the family with open arms.
Once the excitement subsided a bit, Charlotte went to sit next to Sidney. She noticed that his smile faltered, and he became more solemn. She asked him gently, 'Sidney, what is it? Tell us.' She gave him a reassuring smile, took his hand in hers, and squeezed it. He was one lucky man to have the chance to have his wonderful Charlotte!
He raised his head and told them what happened at Trafalgar House. He told them about Mary's decision and Tom's reaction.
Silence fell in the room until Mrs Heywood said, 'I believe there are some crossed wires between Mr and Mrs. Tom Parker. Speaking from experience, it may be best if we let sort them sort this out amongst themselves. The situation at Trafalgar House does mean, though, Charlotte dear, that you may have to sleep here are the hotel tonight.
Let us do this. Shall we wait until dinner time? The Parker children can stay here with us for the time being. There is no need to upset them unnecessarily. Our children, Mr. Heywood, get on with them like a house on fire. There is no fear that they will keep them well entertained.
As for you and your brother Arthur, Sidney, you should judge how the situation pans out when you take the children back to Trafalgar House. If the issue remains unresolved, I will speak with Mary, and Mr. Heywood can have a stern word with your brother Tom tomorrow. We are to be family, after all, and we will do what we can to help them.'
Mr. Heywood commented, 'That is a wise plan, my dear. Well, then, since that is out-of-the-way, there is something else to discuss. Something that we will need to help us with, Sidney.'
Sidney was somewhat puzzled at this remark, 'Anything I can do, sir, I will do. How may I be of help?'
Both Mr and Mrs Heywood at each other briefly, exchanged a loaded look full of concern and the dye was cast. Mrs Heywood took out a signed letter from her reticule and gave it to Charlotte, asking her to read it in answer Charlotte's curious look. Sidney had an unbelievably bad feeling about this.
Charlotte broke the red seal and started reading. Her whole body started shaking like a leaf, tears were streaming from her eyes, and she fainted right there in Sidney's arms before anyone could stop her. The other three occupants of the room gasped at her reaction. Sidney was frantic, and he kept calling her name repeatedly. He looked helplessly at her parents, who looked broken-hearted, but they rooted on their seats. He was terrified, holding Charlotte's limp body in his arms- he could not feel more helpless if he tried.
Mrs. Heywood asked him in a broken voice to lay Charlotte on the settee. Her unspoken message was that she wanted him to speak with her husband while she attended to her daughter. Sidney did as he was told without a word of complaint. It helped that the sofa was only a few feet away from him, so he always had a view of her pale face. Having her on his line of vision reassured him a bit but not a lot. Both men watched as Mrs. Heywood brought a wet cloth to put on her daughter's forehead. She thus proceeded in whispering to her daughter and asking her gently to regain consciousness.
Mr Heywood looked at his son-in-law, gave him the letter, and waited for him to read it. As soon as he finished reading, Sidney looked up at his father-in-law with a frown on his face. He could only ask, 'Who is this uncle David? Why did Charlotte react this way?'
Mr Heywood explained that David was one of Mrs Heywood's brothers who lived in the West Indies. The family was concerned about his wellbeing as none of them had had any news of him until Frederick and Anne brought them the news of his death. David died a year ago after being struck down by yellow fever.
Mr Heywood expanded further upon the £130,000 inheritance for the Heywood family and how it was divided amongst them. The patriarch clarified that Charlotte had now a dowry of £10,000 and a further £10,000 that she was to use for the purpose of founding either a school or a library at a place of her choosing.
He also expanded upon how important her uncle had been in Charlotte's young life and the bond they had shared.
He concluded by saying, 'You see, Sidney, Charlotte's reaction to the news is what we were afraid of when we broke the news to her. That is why we waited to tell her until we consented to your match with her. She loves you too much to leave you in her own volition. We hope that this emotional link between the two of you will not let her slip away from us again. You saved her once before, so you are the only one who can bring our daughter back to us again. That was what we wanted your help with earlier.'
Sidney only agreed in the affirmative. Mr Heywood looked at his worry-stricken wife, who understood and departed from the room along with her husband. Sidney ran his hands through his curly hair. He kept thinking to himself how he was to bring her back. He could not lose her. Not now or ever, for that matter! Not when their future was just beginning.
He ran to her. The first thing he did was remove the cold compress from her forehead and lift her in his arms. He then sat her on his lap with the arms around her upper body. He kissed the top of her head and started whispering of his love to her in her ears. He accentuated each love profession with loving kisses on her face and her lips.
He continued his ministrations for what it seemed hours to him when in truth, only fifteen minutes had passed. His attentions to her person seemed to have some effect as he felt Charlotte's breathing pattern change slightly. She seemed to awaken. He needed to be sure, though. Therefore, he started kissing her lips, applying more pressure. There was no reaction for the first five minutes, but to his joy, she started kissing him back as if her life depended on it. He deepened the kiss, responding to her need of him. Their need to taste each other was insatiable.
He tried to control himself, but her kisses were driving him to distraction. His original restraint was gone. He lifted her skirt and allowed his hands to explore the silky skin of her thighs. This unexpected movement of his hands on her body drove Charlotte mad, and she intensified her kiss further. Her reaction to his kiss inversely caused Sidney to do the same.
Sidney then suddenly stopped his kiss to ask her briefly, 'May I show you Charlotte?' Charlotte knew just what he was asking. She nodded and continued kissing him fervently. Sidney deepened the kiss even further, which made her moan deeply at the back of her throat. He knew she was ready then.
He left his hand travel up her legs towards her centre and played with her folds. He moaned and whispered to her between kisses, 'Oh, my love, you are so wet for me.' She moaned at his words as his fingers kept agitating her further until she came right there on his lap and collapsed on his shoulder. He whispered loving words in her ear until their breathing became more regular.
In a hoarse voice cracking with emotion, he said, 'Your fainting fit has just made me age ten years. Please have mercy on my heart. The last thing I want to do is lose you when we can finally taste our happy future.'
Charlotte smiled faintly at his comment, thinking about what Dr Levinson had told her and how right he had been. She decided to share the wise doctor's advice with her fiancé.
She looked up at him, 'You see, I spoke to Dr Levinson about this during our seaside walk earlier today. He said that my condition would not go away. Yet, we can keep it under control. There would be occasions when my reaction to horribly unpleasant news would be as it was today. I cannot stop that from happening. He explained that if I have a motive to come back, then everything would be well. I would never leave you. I love you too much for that.'
Her words lightened his heart, which gave her a happy boyish-looking smile and another deep kiss she returned wholeheartedly. The kiss left them both breathless. She waited a moment before continuing her speech.
'Well, that was some kiss, my prince. If I get such a kiss just by relaying my doctor's advice to me, I wonder what I will get when I tell you this piece of news. Dr Levinson further reiterated that my heart condition would not stop us from having any children providing there was a doctor there to monitor my condition.'
She looked at his face transform into a visage of real joy. He could only utter, 'Truly, my love?'
She smiled widely and nodded at him, 'Yes, truly.' To which response, he proceeded to whisper in her ear what he would have done if it had not been for her parents and siblings nearby. She blushed prettily. She thought to herself that if what he did to her a moment ago was any sign of what was to come, then she would be a delighted woman indeed. He was as proud as punch from her pretty blush and could not help but kiss her again.
After a little while, he asked her about her uncle David. Her shoulders slumped. He kept her close to him and waited her out.
She eventually said, 'Uncle David shared my craving for travelling and adventure. He used to tell me the most captivating stories. We used to talk about any book that I was reading at the time, and he taught me to face life's troubles head-on.
His loss was a surprise to me. His request for me to start a school or a library, though, did not surprise me as much. It was one of my childhood dreams after seeing there was no school that our tenants' children could attend. I remember feeling indignant that they could not read or write.'
Sidney smiled at her. He responded, 'Always the revolutionary, my darling. What are your plans? What will you do with the money?'
She pondered for a moment, 'I am not sure yet. However, I know one thing. You should have an open mind when it comes to your brother, Tom.
You see, my love, Alicja, showed me a dolphin figurine that he had carved for her. It was truly exquisite. I have not seen such talent before. Your brother may not be the genius with figures that you are, but his woodwork talent is inspiring.
He deserves a chance to teach it to others. He will thrive on it. Listen to him and to his plans. Do keep in mind that I neither defend nor forgive any of his earlier actions as they have nearly destroyed us. Yet, I feel that I can understand him better. Will you try? For me?
I also know that it is better that I stay away from Trafalgar House until you know how things are there. My mother is right. You should spend time together as a family.'
He could never refuse her a thing, and she knew it full well. He sighed and said, 'Yes, my love, I will try. For you. Shall we call your parents?'
She nodded. Sidney lifted her gently, sat her back on the settee, put a blanket on her, and left the room to find her parents, who were found sitting in the sitting room with Susan, Arthur, and Emily. The room's inhabitants' worried faces gave him to understand that the Heywood parents have relayed what happened earlier.
He smiled at them and said, 'Charlotte is awake waiting to see you. I will give you some space and stay here.' Huge smiles erupted on everyone's faces. Mrs. Heywood ran to embrace him briefly and ran upstairs to her daughter. Mr. Heywood shook his hand firmly and said with a voice full of emotion, 'It is an honour to call you my son. I am forever in your debt. My Charlotte is a fortunate girl, indeed'. He then left the room himself to join his wife and daughter.
Sidney stood there, feeling a warmth feeling his chest, watching Mr. Heywood leave. His father-in-law's word filled a gap in his soul that he did not know existed- the lack of his deceased father. Arthur understood, though. He went to his brother and hugged him tightly, which made the ladies in the room all teary from observing the happy scene.
Lady Susan broke the emotional scene by offering Sidney some tea. He gratefully accepted the offer and told them about Charlotte's discovery of Tom's carving talent. Arthur was surprised, to say the least, Emily found the news fascinating, and Lady Susan wondered at the information. They chatted amicably for a while.
In the meantime, both Mr and Mrs. Heywood were spending time with Charlotte. The moment Mrs. Heywood entered the room, she went beeline to hug her daughter tightly. Charlotte enjoyed her mother's hug and reassured her that she was okay. To which statement, her mother exclaimed, 'Thanks to your Sidney, you are. I tried to wake you, but I had no way of doing so. God bless him!'
It was at that moment that Mr. Heywood came in and expanded on his wife's comment,' I could not agree with you more, my dear, that young man is worth his weight in gold.'
Charlotte blushed at her parents' comments, 'I could not leave him. I didn't want to.'
Her mother reassured her, 'We know, my sweet daughter. That is why we told you the news of your uncle's death when he was in the room with you. There was no easy way to break the news to you in a good way. We felt that having him in the same room with you would give you a fighting chance to recover.'
Charlotte promised her mother that she understood. She proceeded to enquire about the inheritance details. Her parents were more than happy to enlighten her. She was, in truth, relieved that her siblings' future was now secured. She breathed a sigh of relief at the thought.
The three of them discussed all the plans and details that were already underway. In the end, Charlotte's father said, 'Now that you are aware of your uncle David's death, we can tell the rest of your siblings. Only Emily and Alison will know of their change of fortune. It will not matter so much for the rest of your siblings as they are too young.'
Charlotte agreed to that. She asked hopefully, 'Could we join the others downstairs?' Her parents nodded as if they had already expected the request to come well before now. All three of them rose and went to join the others at the main hotel room downstairs.
Sidney rejoiced to see her on her feet and escorted her to sit on the sofa next to him. Her parents left them to it to enjoy another cup of tea. The conversation flowed effortlessly into the room. Sidney and Arthur enjoyed an enjoyable visit with their lady loves until it was time to take the children back to Trafalgar House.
Charlotte could feel Sidney's unease. She looked up at him, encouragingly and squeezed his hand tightly. They could do that as they were engaged to be married. Arthur and Emily could not. This notion ate them up in secret as they could feel their feelings grow. All Emily could do is express her belief in the kindest words she could to Arthur. Arthur appreciated it all the same. He made a promise to himself to speak to Miss Emily for a courtship soon.
Mrs. Heywood asked the maid to inform the nursery nurses to bring the Parker children in the sitting room. All three children were exuberant in seeing their uncles. They chattered endlessly on the short way to the house.
Sidney chose to hold on to Alicja's hand with an ulterior motive. He wanted to see what Tom had carved for her. After solemnly promising to keep it a secret, the little girl took the figurine from her pocket and placed it in his hand. His Charlotte was correct. It was exquisite.
Who would have thought that Tom would have it in him, indeed! Wonders would never seize! He passed the figurine on to Arthur, who looked up at him in surprise and nodded in answer to his brother's unspoken question.
