When I'm with you

What the hell?

She took one last look in the mirror and smiled to herself, pleased with her reflection. Esther's stylist did his best and Charlotte felt like an actress on the red carpet. Every minute that brought her closer to her cherished evening gave her a new worry. The jumble of thoughts and feelings swarming through her mind, constantly trying to break free and destroy the last remnants of common sense. Charlotte longed to see Sidney, to tell him of her joys and fears, to drown in the warmth of his soft and strong arms.
There was a knock on the door and Allison appeared in the doorway. Charlotte smiled at her. The younger Heywood was simply magnificent. Her thick, dark hair fell in voluminous waves to her shoulders, revealing her beautiful face with expressive, dark brown eyes. Her simple black cocktail dress, which ended just above her knees, made her look elegant and austere, but no less beautiful.
- Allison, you're a charm! - Charlotte exclaimed, barely touching her sister's hair, not wanting to spoil what seemed perfect.
- Thank you! It was the only dress I felt comfortable in - Allison admitted - to be honest, Esther insisted. I'd rather wear something old.
- No, no, no, our Mrs. Babbington is absolutely right about that - replied Charlotte - you must Shine, and there will be a gentleman there who, I am sure, wants to see you.
Allison looked confused and fidgeted with her purse, trying to hide her excitement.
- Is something wrong? - Charlotte asked - did you have a fight?
- No, not at all. Daniel is very nice. He kept calling me from London - Allison said - simply... it's just that there will be so many guests and ladies tonight, and I... well, he's a famous person, you know, and I am... I'm just a veterinarian at an equestrian club, and I have a rather dubious appearance.
- Broome knows exactly who you are, and it doesn't seem to bother him at all. Besides, he couldn't resist the most beautiful woman in the room - her Sister answered.
- Oh, Charlotte - Allison breathed, hugging her sister tightly - thank you for everything.
- We're not fighting anymore?- eldest Hеywood asked jokingly, moving away from her sister and holding out her hand, palm up.
Allison smiled back, patting her hand with her own, as they always did when they were kids.
- Let's go down? - Charlotte asked as calmly as she could, actually burning with impatience and excitement.
- Yes - Allison said, nodding - you still haven't spoken with Sidney?
- No - said her Sister, frowning slightly - Just let it go, honestly.
- But Charlotte! - Allison exclaimed.
- There's no time to chat - said the eldest Miss Heywood, grabbing her sister's arm and dragging her out into the corridor.

He shifted nervously from one foot to the other and returned to the column. His heart was pounding like crazy, and the lump in his throat was making it impossible to breathe properly. Sidney straightened his hair for the hundredth time and, with a heavy sigh, went back to his friend.
- Stop fidgeting - pleaded Crowe - my head is spinning from your movements. I can barely restrain myself from lying down on that magic sofa.
Sidney glanced back at Francis, giving him a hard, withering look.
-Are you drunk again? - he asked.
- No more than usual, my friend - replied Crowe - maybe you should have a drink, too, instead of Bouncing around like a young lamb trying to drill through the main staircase.
- No - said Sidney - not today.
- Did you know that nerve cells don't regenerate? - Crowe asked casually - and this makes men turn gray early, go bald, and sometimes start, God forbid, problems with potency. Let's just say your story may have a very sad ending.
Crowe laughed, pleased with his own joke, and Sidney turned his entire body to face him, finally distracted from the stairs.
- Can you read your lectures about health to someone else? - he asked dryly.
- You're too tense - Crowe said, slyly smiling - for good reason you yesterday refused the second bottle and masseuses, I think these masters with their magic handles would instantly bring you back to life.
- Francis! - Sidney said threateningly.
- Ugh, how low - noticed Crowе - you know I hate being called that. Relax, Parker! The evening is just beginning.
- Sorry - Sidney said.

The audience perked up, welcoming new guests. A Lady Worceter came into the drawing room, accompanied by Broome. Her beauty, grace and ability to win over, combined with an elegant dark blue dress and an extravagant hat to match, instantly attracted the eyes of all present. Broome, on the other hand, deliberately kept a low profile and gave his cousin a wide field of activity. Daniel looked carefully around, clearly looking for someone in the crowd. Sidney chuckled to himself, knowing that he wasn't the only one looking forward to the evening.
- God, what the hell is he doing here? - Crowe asked, surprised, pointing his glass at Broome - he doesn't like this kind of drinking. I'm not sure Dan drinks at all.
- How do you know Broome? - Sidney asked.
- Don't underestimate me, my friend - said Francis, smiling - I have a great many acquaintances, decent and not very nice, and even very indecent. But to be honest, I have no idea what Dan is doing in this backwater.
- He's a friend of Georgiana - Sidney said.
- Is that so? - marvelled Crowe - I wonder how the hell she tied him to her? Did you make a Voodoo doll or...?..oh my god...ohoho...
- They're just friends - Sidney said - rudely interrupting Crowe's fantasies.
- Well, no, it's not so interesting anymore - Francis breathed out with displeasure - ог maybe they are... ?
- No - Sidney said seriously - I think he likes Allison.
- Allison? - cried Crowe-Another Hеywood? Seriously? How do they do this? Is that what they teach in Willingden?
Sidney ignored him, for he had finally seen the one he had come to see that evening. Charlotte, followed by Allison, went out on to the stairs. She was so beautiful that it took Sidney's breath away. Dressed in a floor-length white dress, she looked as clean, fresh, and weightless as a bride at the altar. Looking at her bare arms and shoulders, her rich brown hair falling in long waves down her back, Sidney felt a palpable pang of jealousy. He didn't want anyone else to see her so vulnerable. It seemed to Sidney that all the men's eyes were focused on her, and this feeling did not give him any peace.
Charlotte glanced around and met his gaze, flushed for a moment, but quickly regained her composure.
- To give the Heywood girls their due, they look stunning - muttered Crowe, and that was the last thing Sidney heard before he headed for the stairs where Charlotte was already descending.
Before reaching the cherished goal just a couple of meters, Parker, unexpectedly for himself, ran into an obstacle that forced him to stop. He tore his gaze away from Charlotte, looked down, and saw Georgiana lamb, in person.
- We need to talk - firmly told she- you've been telling Charlotte lies on ears, but with me such number not will pass.
- You want to do it right here and now? - Sidney asked irritably, realizing with horror that he wouldn't be able to meet Charlotte in time - maybe after the party?
- Right now, Sidney! I want you to leave Charlotte alone and not mess with her - Georgiana said - Otherwise, you will destroy it again. People like you, Parker, don't change.
- I love and have always loved Charlotte! - Sidney said to Georgiana, watched with sadness as the woman he loved gave him a barely perceptible glance and greeted Broome, took Stringer's outstretched hand. Here was James, in slow motion, kissing her on the cheek. Stringer and Charlotte smile at each other as they walk away Susan and her entourage.
- Can you even hear me? - asked Georgiana.
- What? - Sidney asked, forcing his attention back to Miss lamb.
- You're an asshole, Parker. Why the hell did you leave with that blond bitch? - Georgie asked - What about your vaunted love, Sidney? Who are you kidding?
- You have no idea how it really happened - Sidney said in desperation, for he had lost Charlotte in a crowd of men in tuxedos, and that now bothered him more than any words Georgians.
- And I will tell you what was there - said Georgiana - you sold yourself as a whore to this rich whore, just as she once sold herself to Campion. You both deserve each other! Money doesn't smell, does it, Parker?
- Screw you! Don't you dare say anything you don't know! - he answered - What makes you think I'm engaged to Eliza? This is nonsense!
- Your brother's been talking about it from every steeple - Georgie said smugly - and your mistress has confirmed it. So don't tell me about your feelings for Charlotte.
- Tom and Eliza? - Sidney asked - but how is that possible?
- It's as if you didn't know anything? Holy innocence! Do you think I'll believe you? You're... - Georgiana exclaime.
- He's supposed to be in the presentation this evening - Crowe said at last - and you're making it difficult for him to collect his thoughts. Georgie, you've even tired me out. And do you know the meaning of the phrase "wrong time", or should I give you a dictionary?
- Oh, the Loch Ness monster is awake - said Georgiana - is the bar out of whiskey? Why are you here instead of lying under the counter somewhere?
- Maybe I was looking forward to meeting you, my love - he said coyly, trying to portray a soulful look - no one but you understands my vulnerable nature and the trembling impulses of a tortured soul.
- Pff, what a jerk you are - Georgie said - and why are you always picking on me? Maybe you should find yourself an old woman like you and live with her happily ever after.
- No one can compare to you, o radiant goddess of naked buttocks - Crowe said, raising his hands to the sky in awe.
Georgie rolled her eyes and growled something back, but Sidney didn't hear it, because he took off and walked quickly to the great hall, hoping to find Charlotte.