When I'm with you

Step forward

She stretched and turned to Sidney, smiling with her eyes closed.

However, the hands did not find the familiar warmth. Charlotte opened her eyes and stared regretfully at the other half of the bed. It was empty. Miss Heywood listened to the sounds and realized that Sidney was in the kitchen.

"Probably making us breakfast," she thought to herself, and slipped out from under the covers and went straight to the bathroom. The cool shower cheered Charlotte up, setting her up in a positive mood. It suddenly seemed to Miss Heywood that the situation with Mrs. Campion would soon resolve itself, and that she and Sidney would be able to live a normal life, make preparations for the wedding, and he would finally meet his parents.

"I wonder what Dad will say?" Charlotte thought, smiling at her own thoughts. Her father was the best in the world, and Miss Heywood never doubted for a moment that he would accept Sidney as soon as he got to know him better.

There was a lot to do today, horse training, fitting dresses for the festival, meeting Sophia and Lady Worcester. How did she manage to fit everything in one day? Everything was going wrong because of Eliza Campion. Charlotte wanted to get rid of this shadow hanging over her usual life. Finally, she brushed her hair, kissed herself in the mirror, and returned to her room to dress hurriedly.

"Hi," Sidney said, walking up to Charlotte and kissing her gently on the lips, “ How did you sleep?”

"Passable," she said, standing up and turning her back on him, gesturing for him to zip up her light beige dress,” I 've  been dreaming about Eliza and Beecroft all night. I'd like to know when this is all over.

"Soon," Sidney assured her, slowly lifting zipper and gently kissing her ear.

“Thank you”, said Charlotte, bending down and peering under the bed, “have you seen my white shoes?”

"They're in the hallway, where you left them yesterday," Sidney said, “You won't even have breakfast with me? Is something wrong?"

"No," Charlotte said, walking over to him and standing on tiptoe to reach his warm lips, " nothing that would upset you.  I have a meeting with Sophia and Susan. Simply... I just wanted to do something else, so I wouldn't have to think about what had happened, or wonder what would happen tomorrow...”

"Why don't you talk to me?" , he asked, "You know you can't run away from yourself."

"Yes, you're right... "I'm really worried," Charlotte admitted...I believe that none of our friends could have attacked Eliza ... Sidney, I'm scared, but what if Beecroft was? He's still out there somewhere ... are we in danger, too?”

"Beecroft is a nasty guy, calculating and greedy for money, but I don't think he's the killer," Parker said.

"You've known him for a long time, haven't you?" Charlotte asked.

"I know - it's the wrong word, I'm not sure that anyone has studied Beecroft well enough," Sidney corrected her, " but you're right, I've known him for over 15 years”

“How did you meet?” Charlotte asked, thrilled to hear his answer.

"I went there with Eliza, and Beecroft was a good friend of hers.", he answered

"Is that so?" said Charlotte, surprised, “I didn't know she moved in such circles.”

"Me, too. I had no idea then what this gentleman was like, "Sidney said with a sigh ," he was quite a successful businessman, a favorite of the golden youth. It was only later that I found out about secret gambling houses, illegal couriers, and...”