Sidney and Mr Stringer's discussion did not go unnoticed by the rest of the group sitting on the sand. Most of them, Alison, Georgiana and Tom, took it for what it was. An expected conversation between two acquaintances about the tag game and London, where Sidney had just returned from. They did not think that anything extraordinary had been communicated throughout it.

However, the people who were in the know, namely Diana, Arthur and Mary, sighed with relief and knew exactly what the message was that Sidney had conveyed to young Mr Stringer. They knew by the momentary surprise that showed on his face. They had to be careful, though, not to show that they knew. Thus, with a bit of an effort from their end, none of the rest of the party was none the wiser on their actual thoughts on that matter.

No sooner had those thoughts crossed Diana, Arthur and Mary's mind, that they found themselves where Charlotte was sitting with her companions. Sidney parked himself next to her with an exaggerated huff of tiredness in such a theatrical way that it made Charlotte roll her eyes at him playfully and the children giggle loudly.

The rest of the adults unfolded the rest of the blankets and sat down as well. Mary sat on the same blanket as her children and Arthur, Tom sat next to Diana, Georgiana, Alison and Mr Stringer. The sitting arrangements reflected each person's thoughts at the time.

On the one hand, Sidney was happy to be sitting down next to his Charlotte again. She had the uncanny ability to breathe new life into his soul just by smiling at him just as she did now and that left him breathless. Playing tag also reminded him of the old times when all the Parker siblings played together- he missed those times. It did not happen often. Yet, his younger self appreciated those happy times when they did happen as those carefree games ceased completely once their father died.

On the other hand, happy thoughts did not occupy the minds of the occupants sitting on the other blankets. It was more of an awkwardness than anything else.

Mary and Tom were playing a game of cat and mouse. Each of them used their children as a buffer in order to avoid speaking to each other. Tom did this during the tag game whilst Mary was doing the same just now. Tom instead pretended to be interested in the conversation between the ladies and he occasionally spoke to an equally subdued Mr Stringer whilst furiously thinking of ways of wooing his wife back.

Mr Stringer, poor man, was lost between the exquisite feeling of having Alison near him without being able to speak to her as he wished and the increased awkwardness that he felt near Mr Tom Parker knowing what he knew.

Arthur, Georgiana and Diana were inwardly very amused on the dynamics of their group. They exchanged amused looks on the palpable happiness and contentment surrounding Charlotte and Sidney. It was as if they had created their own bubble of happiness and it was utterly endearing. They were very happy for both of them.

What really amused those three was how hard Mr Stringer was trying not to be inappropriate around Miss Alison and she with him. They exchanged secret looks hoping that none of the group noticed. It was a hopeless wish as everybody, apart from Tom, had noticed their futile attempts in concealing their feelings. There was also the game that Tom and Mary were playing with each other. They all three silently communicated to each other that this was definitely the most fun that they have had for a while.

The group had not sat for five minutes or so until the phaeton arrived. It would seat four people and the rest of them would need to walk back. Charlotte was surprised at the sight of it and addressed Sidney, 'How come the driver is here with the phaeton, Sidney?'

He looked up at her indulgently with a wide smile on his face, he picked up, kissed her hand softly and responded, 'Why it is for you, queen of my heart. You have already walked enough for today- it has been your first walk since your illness. You looked very tired when we arrived here on foot and I thought you might appreciate having the phaeton to take you back to Trafalgar House. If you like I could join you and we could take the children with us on it. What do you think?'

Charlotte smiled at him lovingly and whispered to him, 'I think that you, Sidney Parker, are the most thoughtful and caring man that I have ever met and that I love you more than words could express. I would like to accept that offer for a ride on the phaeton with you and the children.'

Sidney thought his heart would burst in its seams at her words- how could he get so lucky he would never know. He so wished he could kiss her right now! He would need to act upon that urge at the first given opportunity. He could only nod at her response as his ability for speech had temporarily escaped him. He promptly got up and helped Charlotte to her feet. Mrs Heywood and Lady Susan who were privy to Charlotte and Sidney's tender interaction got up promptly as well.

Sidney went to where the children were sitting with Mary and Arthur and asked them, 'How would you like a ride in the phaeton with Charlotte and me, children?' The children's response was enthusiastic- they started running towards the vehicle in all possible haste. Mary smiled at her brother-in-law whilst Tom glared at him for stealing his thunder with his own children no less. Sidney felt Tom's gaze, but ignored him not wanting to upset Mary further. He did make a mental note though to finally find out the root of Tom's infernal resentment on Saturday morning. The rest of the group got up and said that they would be happy to walk up at a more leisurely pace.

Charlotte and the children were bundled up on the phaeton. Charlotte sat with Jenny and Alicia on one side and Sidney with Henry on the other side. The children were beyond excited as they loved carriage rides of any sort. They were constantly pointing out something or other and claiming either Charlotte's or Sidney's attention depending who was the nearest one to them. Thus, the ride to Trafalgar House was a very pleasant and well-chaperoned one as neither Sidney nor Charlotte could do anything inappropriate in public. However, the promise of a bit of inappropriateness when they got back to the house and the children were under the care of their nurse, was evident in the silent heated looks that they exchanged.