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Had Andrew Davies known there would be no season 2, perhaps he would have written episode 8 this way...
Sidney would have sent Eliza Campion on her merry way after the regatta. He would have gone to Trafalgar House that night and told Charlotte how he was his best self, his truest self when he was with her. Then he would have taken her on the clifftops the next morning. He would have told her how he couldn’t sleep, because his head was full of their conversation the night before. She would have said it was the same for her. He would have whispered her name and she would have whispered back her permission, her eyes fixated on his full lips. He would have kissed her and decided right then and now that the Midsummer Ball would be the perfect setting to ask for her hand.
He would have escorted her back to town, holding her hand securely in the crook of his elbow all the way back, then reluctantly allowed her some distance as they would approach the busy streets, so to not compromise her reputation. He would have opened the door to the dress shop and told her that he would eagerly see her later and left with a gentlemanly nod.
Sidney would have spent the day impatiently waiting for night to fall, perhaps went to Denham’s Arms in the afternoon with Babington so that the two antsy close friends could kill some time until they would see the objects of their affection again.
Charlotte would have spent the day at the beach with Mary and the children, scoping the long, wide beach in hopes of perhaps catching a glimpse of the man who had swept her off her feet that same morning. Could it have been only this morning? She couldn’t keep the memory of his lips and the searing kisses they shared out of her mind.
Charlotte would have nervously made her way down to the living room, joining Mary who was about ready to leave. She would’ve asked her how she knew Tom was the one, and Mary would have replied that one just knows.
Sidney’s limbs would have been stiff with anguish at the idea of seeing her and dancing with her. But most importantly at asking her the question he never thought he would ask in his life. He and Babington would have made their way to the assembly room quite early so that they would be there as soon as Charlotte and Esther would arrive. They would not waste one moment of the time they would be allowed in their presence.
At last, Sidney would have caught sight of his beautiful Charlotte in her blue gown, looking like a vision. Her smile and her soft eyes would be his demise if she would not have him. Babington would have wished him luck and a favourable answer before parting with a clap on the shoulder. Sidney would have bided his time patiently as his brother would steer him away from her, then James who would whisk her away for a set.
Sidney would have gone up to the balcony, hoping she would know to find him there. And she would have as soon as her set was over. With a sigh of relief, he would have caught her hands in his and told her what a brute he had been not so long ago on that same balcony. He would have told her how he hoped he was a changed man, and in the same breath, hear her say that he was the same man, only much improved.
With these words, he would have found the courage to tell her that any change he had made was all down to her, that he never wanted to put himself in someone else’s power before, nor cared for anyone else but himself until she came around.
Then perhaps, to add some drama, Andrew Davies would have sent a distraught Edward Denham at the ball beseeching his stepsister. Sidney would have left Charlotte behind so he could help rid the premise of that blaggard. He would have made sure that Edward would have been on the next coach to London.
In the meantime, Babington would have made another proposal of marriage to Esther, assuring her that he couldn’t give a fig what people might think, that he only cared to make her happy and walk through life by her side. And Esther would have made him the happiest man when she would have accepted him and urged him to kiss her before she would change her mind.
There would have been no fire, because why add unnecessary drama that would have warranted a second season while Davies would have known it would never see the light of day?
No, instead, Charlotte would have patiently waited for Sidney to come back, perhaps sit with Mary who would reassure her that Sidney would be back promptly. And he would have, once Edward would be on his way to London.
Sidney would have taken her hand and swiftly taken her back to their balcony.
“Now, where was I?” He would have asked, staring adoringly into her soft brown eyes. He would have remembered quickly, then cutting to the chase before something else untoward would keep him from finishing their conversation. “Charlotte… would you do me the greatest honor of marrying me?”
“Yes.” She would have whispered without a hesitation.
Sidney would have wanted to seal their engagement with a kiss, but not so close to the edge where everyone could see them. Instead, he would walk them to the side, where a curtain would shield them. He would have cupped her cheeks with his hands, slanted his head and kissed her lips. She would have responded to his kiss and held on to the sleeves of his coat in order to keep him closer and reassure her mind that she was not dreaming. That the man she loved, Sidney Parker, had really asked for her hand.
They would have announced their engagement to his family immediately, and they would have cheered for them. Babington would have then announced that he and Miss Denham were also engaged to be married. Only Georgiana would have been dejected by the dreadful news of her best friend’s engagement, but Charlotte would have made the decision that she would talk to her in the morning.
Sidney and Charlotte would have danced all night in celebration. Then he would have reluctantly escorted her back to Trafalgar before turning in for the night. He would have been back bright and early the next morning so he could enjoy her company for as long as possible.
Charlotte would have sent a letter to her parents, announcing her impending return. Sidney would have accompanied her on his black stallion while she would have been riding in the Parkers’ carriage all the way to Willingden. His family would have greeted her return excitedly and welcomed Sidney in their humble abode with open arms. Not wasting a moment, Sidney would have requested an interview with Mr. Heywood in order to receive his blessing for their wedding. Mr. Heywood would have accepted it promptly after having seen his daughter’s obvious happiness etched all over her face.
Mr. and Mrs. Heywood would have pressed for a wedding in Willingden, but Charlotte would have been adamant at getting married in Sanditon, because she and Sidney wished nothing more than having a double wedding with Lord Babington and Miss Denham. The parents would have acquiesced to her demand and eventually admitted that it was the most perfect wedding.
The closing scene would have been one of Charlotte in bed next to Sidney, who would have pushed her hair over her shoulder while gazing at her lovingly, drunk on pure, utter happiness.
“Good morning, Mrs. Parker.”
“You know, I’d completely forgotten where I was.” Charlotte would have answered with an adoring smile.
“Not unhappy to find yourself here, I hope?”
“Come here, Mr. Parker.” She would have coaxed, demanding another kiss.