John Heywood had been happily reading the newspaper after another satisfying day on his estate. He had been pleased with his oldest son who had been efficiently managing the Crowe estate. They had spent much time together and he was able share words of wisdom with his son. His brother and wife had been staying with them while his wife was in London. He was looking forward in seeing everyone back from London. He was needing the whole family together again. He was also looking forward to meeting Edward South... Grace had approved of him in her letters. There was also a Lord Castle who was showing interest in Victoria.
He was interrupted by a loud noise made be a rider on a horse arriving on the property... his son John striding in with the letter. John could see it was his wife's writing and he suddenly become concerned.
He quickly opened it and after reading it passed it to his son...
My dearest,
I am writing to inform you that Charlotte has fallen ill. We can't wake her and have called for the doctor. I don't know what is the problem. I need you, John...
Yours, Grace
It was short and John could see she had been shaking when writing the message.
He looked at his son...
"We are leaving within the hour... you are coming with me... it will be dangerous as we may have to travel in poor light."
John's brother William arrived and was informed of the situation. The two men packing the essentials and were on their way to London within 1/2 hour. They were taking their best horses and hoped to make London in good time. They also had loaded guns as they were travelling roads that were regularly controlled by bandits. They would have normally avoided these roads but they had to get to London fast.
John knew Grace would be angry with him but he needed to get to London... his wife needed him.
John and his son were accomplished riders...making good time to an inn before it was too dark... they took rooms and it gave the horses time to rest after being ridden hard from Willingdon. Thankfully they had not come across any bandits and they were able to sleep peacefully.
They were up early and were on their way before many of the other inhabitants of the inn had woken up... when they entered the outskirts of London they slowed their pace to give the horses a rest. He didn't know what to expect and he was determined to be calm. He and his son were getting strange looks as they entered the neighbourhood of Lady Susan... they must have looked like country rebels... but he didn't care...
They jumped off their horses and entered Susan's home.. the first person he saw was Grace and she burst into tears when see saw him.
"John... you came!" crying in his arms.
"Grace... I came as soon as I got your message... Charlotte?" he asked and waited for her response
"John... she will be ok..." Grace continued to cry as she had had to be strong for everyone around her.
"Mother.. what do you mean?" Charlotte's brother asks... he was unsettled by seeing his mother upset. She moved and gave her oldest son an embrace and was so happy to see he had come with his father.
The men had not taken off their coats... Grace frowned when she saw the guns... they had taken a dangerous route.
"Grace... Charlotte?" John asked
"She is awake... I will take you both now..." she smiled and John relaxed... he had been fearing the worst.
He entered the room... Charlotte was paler than he had last seen her but she was alive. He went to her bedside and fell on his knees.. taking hold of her hands and looked at her. John standing behind his father
"Papa?" she spoke... it was music to his ears... tears forming in his eyes.
"Your mother sent a message that you were ill... I came straight away" he spoke to her... his eyes never leaving her face.
Charlotte smiling at her father and informed him of their news. John Heywood laughing out loud and gathered his daughter in his arms.
"Well... you are continuing the Heywood tradition... you know your cousin Lucy has just found out she is expecting twins!. I am glad you are well, my daughter... you can't image the things I was thinking about as we rode here." He kissed her forehead and allowed his son to congratulate his sister.
Henry strode into the room as he had been informed of the men's arrival... they embraced each other.
"Well, son... twins.. thank goodness you have had practise with the girls." He laughed again... his voice carrying though the whole house which brought his other children. He gave Alison, Victoria, Alex, Lydia and Johanna embraces and kiss them on their foreheads. Every child was precious to him and he was pleased they were all well. Everyone sitting around Charlotte's bed and the Heywood/Crowe Clan caught up with each other.
Grace just smiled...her 'man of action' was here and everything was going to be well!
