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English
Series:
Part 29 of Sidlotte September Drabbles
Stats:
Published:
2024-09-28
Completed:
2025-09-08
Words:
600
Chapters:
6/6
Comments:
59
Kudos:
139
Bookmarks:
1
Hits:
1,216

After The Ball

Summary:

Day 28 – Answers

These Drabble Stories are so addictive! Another prompt that ignites a Fix It idea in my head and will not be silenced.

The wonderful thing about this is that it’s virtually all written, it’s just a question of organising into 100-word installments. This means that Sidlotte Love will continue for a while. I also hope these 30 days have inspired other S1 fans to give writing a go.

In this Scenario, we join Sidney and his fiancée (yes, Eliza) as they return to her home after a social event. Hint – She Is Not Happy.

Chapter 1: An Unfortunate Incident

Chapter Text

 

Sidney swallowed hard

The silence cut like a knife

Was this his future life?

They arrived at Eliza’s townhouse

His fiancé fixed her icy expression on him

 

No, say Nothing!

We will discuss it tomorrow 

 

He clamped his mouth shut

She swept out of the carriage

 

All night, he considered his defence 

 

I was unaware of her presence in London 

A family acquaintance 

Lady Susan requested the Dance

Refusing was impossible  

 

He really wanted to say

 

I was ecstatic to see her

She is more beautiful than ever

Holding her in my arms was sheer perfection

 

Sidney sighed 

 

Too dangerous 

 

      

Chapter 2: The Ultimatum

Summary:

My thinking for this story is to give Eliza a more compassionate and intelligent character, I felt her decisions made very little sense for the time period.

So, it’s now the next day and Sidney has arrived at her residence for an awkward discussion.

Chapter Text

 

Eliza was sitting stiffly in the chair 

She did not offer her hand or look at him

He sat nervously opposite her

 

I require honest answers, Mr Parker

You agreed to my offer

Is it just a business agreement in your mind?

A cold marriage is not to my taste 

 

He hesitated 

No, she deserved the truth

 

Initially, I thought you were offering to invest

Marriage never occurred to me

At least, not to you

 

(Ouch!) he thought

 

As I said In Sanditon 

I am not the Same Man

An Outlier in fact

Many Society Couples lead separate lives successfully 

 

             

Chapter 3: Tick Tock

Summary:

Thank you for the encouragement, much appreciated.

Let’s continue.

Total honesty from Sidney, how will Eliza react?

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

Eliza flinched, blinking a tear away

The only sound, the clock ticking 

Now, she looked at him, understanding in her gaze

 

Sidney, do you love her?

I need to know

 

His mind whirled

So many ramifications 

 

Try to make her happy

 

His fiancé had demanded integrity

He owed her that

 

Yes, I love Miss Heywood with my entire heart and soul

My Proposal was cut short

Sir Edward interrupted

Then, the fire 

I never intended to break her heart

It was forced on me in the end

 

A few more minutes tick by

An eternity 

 

Eliza stands, her skirts rustling

 

 

          

Notes:

What will Eliza say after Sidney’s confession?

Can they really marry, knowing the truth of his feelings?

Chapter 4: A Better Woman

Summary:

A Brief Recap...
Sidney & Eliza attended a Ball, not knowing that Lady Susan was attending with her guest, Miss Heywood, whose presence in London they were unaware of. Lady Worcester requested that Sidney dance with Charlotte, which did not please Eliza. The next day, Sidney is having an honest conversation with his fiancée – how will she respond to his confession that he loves Miss Heywood?

Here we go then – time to find out what Eliza says!

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

I spent the night soul searching

Considering my position 

Not liking the person in the mirror

 

The truth is, Marriage no longer suits me

It was attempting to Rewrite the Past

Not understanding the utter futility

 

I release you, Sidney

We will not pursue Matrimony 

My investment remains

 

Go, Find Your Happiness 

My plans have changed 

A desire to expand my horizons

Travel the World

 

He gapes at her, unbelieving

She offers her hand to shake on the decision

 

I will handle the Announcement 

Do not concern yourself 

There will be No Scandal 

A Lady’s Prerogative to change her mind

 

 

          

Notes:

As I’ve said previously, the entire trajectory of Eliza made no sense at all. The best position for a Regency woman of her status was to be widowed, if she inherited from her husband, which was not necessarily the case, unless it was set out legally. But seeing as she is supposedly mega rich, marrying again would be utterly foolish, as everything would belong to her husband. In fact, Sidney could have done anything he liked post marriage, as he would legally have control. There’s also the social expectation, her next logical step would be to marry a title, just like Lady Denham.

One of the books I’ve been reading is Normal Women by Philippa Gregory, which is a social history and it makes the point that everything changed with the Norman Invasion of 1066, with Anglo Saxon laws and customs being changed to favour men and disadvantage women, particularly in regard to inheritance and that didn’t change for centuries! Definitely worth a read, fascinating detail.

Chapter 5: Freedom!

Summary:

This story is nearly complete, I’m glad you approve of Elixa’s decision – the question is, what caused her to rethink everything?

I had the good fortune to attend Lucy Worsley’s UK Tour on Jane Austen a few days ago and hearing her talk so eloquently about our beloved Author was such a treat – she has more dates coming up in 2025. I sat there thinking to myself – Why couldn’t you have been the Consultant – because I am absolutely positive that the True Sidlotte Ending would have been delivered – I can’t see Mr Davies arguing with her somehow!

Chapter Text

 

She escorts him to the door

He turns and bows in farewell

 

Thank you, Eliza

I wish you every happiness 

 

Heading to the nearest park

He walks, head spinning 

 

What just happened?

Is this A Dream?

 

Finally, his emotions catch up with him

Exultant at unexpected freedom

Scaring the ducks in the pond 

 

Mrs Campion follows through with her offer

He receives the paperwork that afternoon 

The next morning, there is a visitor for Lady Susan

She is surprised to see Sidney

And then thrilled at his news

Escorting him to the Library 

Shutting the door quietly 

 

Charlotte, he whispers

 

 

              

Chapter 6: Switzerland

Summary:

This is it then, the Epilogue to our Drabble Story.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

Charlotte is shocked to see him

 

I am free, Miss Heywood 

Here to beg forgiveness 

And resume our conversation 

 

Switzerland

A few months later

Enjoying the Balcony View 

Reading a letter from England

 

A wise decision, My Dear

Mr & Mrs Sidney Parker are blissfully happy

I offered honest advice

A Rich Widow controls her destiny

Be happy

 

S.W. 

 

Eliza remembers that night 

Love on The Dancefloor

Humiliated 

 

The Whispered Invitation

 

The Pagoda

A private conversation 

 

Susan was correct

 

The Perfect Life

Relaxation, Culture

Social Entertainment

Admirers aplenty

Titled Aristocrats

 

Lady Worcester receives a brief Note

 

No Regrets

 

E.C.

 

                    

 

Notes:

I like to imagine that Mrs C would have realised it would be foolish to force Sidney into marriage, especially as it made no sense for her socially, you only have to look at the example of Lady Denham to know that. As a storyline, it made no sense at all, especially for an allegedly rich widow, who would lose all her independence on remarrying, her husband could even have sent her to an asylum. And as well as that, the mourning restrictions for a wife were incredibly strict too, so a lot of time had to have passed and my thinking is that Sidney would have known of her bereavement and had made no effort to seek her out. So, she really held no interest for him at all and that was painfully obvious at the Regatta.

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