Garden Evening Party

Grace, Susan, Mary and John looked at each other after the exiting of Sidney Parker...

"Now.. I am glad that unpleasant interview is over with!" Susan finally speaking first out of the four.

"Hmmm... I can see he is frustrated and trying to work out what to do" reflected Grace

"Yes... he has a habit of loosing his sense of reason... thankfully he has never directed it towards the children" Mary shared

"He might go and speak to his brother... no word from Tom?" John asked

"No... as usual he must be busy with his first wife 'Sanditon' Mary sadly commented

"Let us not dwell on this and focus on the coming afternoon and evening... there is much to do!" a sparkle appearing in Susan's eyes.

She wanted to change the direction of the conversation. Mary needed some cheering up and Susan had planned a special evening event. The last clue she had given Henry would direct them to the park across the street from her house. She looked at her watch and knew they were going to be busy so everything would be ready.

"Dear Susan... I have a feeling we are going to be experiencing something spectacular tonight!" Grace laughed and looked knowingly at her husband. They expected nothing less from their friend... she did everything on a big scale.

"You just wait and see my dears... it is going to be the event of the season!" Susan getting up and walking towards the kitchen.

Susan and her staff had worked tirelessly to prepare the garden for the final activity. She has been given permission to close the park and decorate it to her heart's content. Tables, chairs, lounges, cushions, blankets, lanterns were taken over... Susan was transforming the area into a comfortable space. The kitchen staff had been cooking large amounts of food as there was going to be more people attending than the small group who started out in the morning.

She was creating an event that had never been seen before and the ton will talk about it for months!... people would wish they had attended!

Lavinia had arrived early as she wanted to participated in the afternoon activities and spent time with her family members. Her husband Lord E would be coming later. Mary and Grace spending the afternoon helping Susan bring everything together. John spent the rest of the day in the study attending to business.

"Susan... I can't wait to see the finished product!" exclaimed Mary... it was really distracting her from the difficult morning with Sidney... she was getting excited!

"They should be arriving in less an hour and there is still much to do!" Susan frowned as she wanted it to be a success.

"My dear friend... it is going to be amazing but the most important thing is that the children have fun!" Grace reminding her friend

"You are right... I get caught up sometimes" shared Susan. She sat down and relaxed with her friends.

The time arrived and they all headed over to the garden and everyone was stunned by the beautiful arrangements. Grace noticing a section that clearly was for the children... full of games and everything a child would love to play with... "the children are going to love it" Grace and Mary both thanking their friend for caring so much for their children. They turned as the started hearing the wheels of carriages ... Susan's extra guests were arriving.

"Susan... it is beautiful!" cried Esther... she was looking forward to the evening.

"My dear... this is a wonder! Alexandra exclaimed

"This is something we have not seen before... " commented Elizabeth and Georgina. The women had gone home after the art gallery... they were not going to miss this evening.

Finally the children and adults arrived from their days activities. The children were taken to a place where they were entertained with a puppet show.

"Susan... this is spell-bounding!" laughed Charlotte. Giving her friend an embrace for everything she had done today.

"This is my way of bringing a bit of the country to you while you are in the city." she smile as she looked upon the smiling faces of the children while they watched the puppet show.

Charlotte, Alison, Victoria and Lady Jane had found seats and were happily talking about their day. Lord North no longer a thought but it was on the minds of the men.

Susan had seated herself next to Lady Jane and had noticed she looked happy. A day with the Heywood's certainly would do that!

"How was you day, dear?" Susan asking Jane

"It was one of the best days I have ever had in London. I found this family lovely and they made me feel I belonged" Jane shared

"I feel exactly the same but I notice there is a certain handsome man who seems to be looking our way" Susan commented

While the men were speaking... John Christopher was glancing to check on Lady Jane... he was worried about her.

Jane blushed at Susan's comment but didn't say anything

"I can tell when there is a spark... don't let your past or family stop you from finding happiness" encouraged Susan. Susan leaving this young woman to contemplate her future.

After everyone had received their refreshments... a cricket game was proposed

The men only playing if they were on the same team as their lady. Lady Jane was pleased John Christopher wanted to be on her team. He was very helpful in showing her how to play. Charlotte batted but only if Henry was doing it with her... Charlotte laughing as he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her... they held the bat together. They were quite successful and Henry joked that they had created a new form of the game. Grace looking on and smiled at seeing her daughter's radiant face and the gentleness of her husband. She herself was in the field and was determined to catch a ball... which she did!

Once again the skill level of the Heywood/Crowe clan was evident and their love of spending time together was evident. Alexandra looking on smiling as she watched her son Stanley play but also how he kept an eyes on his future wife as she played.

This family were truly something!

The game finished and everyone settled in different locations throughout the park. John and Jane ended sitting with Charlotte and Henry. The men speaking about farming while the ladies added their own suggestions. John was very impressed with Jane's knowledge and knew she was a rarity but he had to remind himself she was royal... out of his league. Charlotte could see his head had been turned but he was uncertain if it was possible. She observed Lady Jane and noticed her cheeks went pink when he spoke to her.

She would speak to Lady Susan about this matter... she hoped there was a possibility!

It was starting to get dark and lanterns were lit and the whole area was transformed into a fairy land.

Circus performers arrived who completed amazing acrobatic tricks which stunned the audience. When one performer breathed fire there were gasps among the ladies. When they thought it had finished musicians appeared and started playing music. It was a relaxed affair and couples were able to dance ... Henry and Charlotte dancing a series of Waltz steps and happily remained connected.

John Christopher taking the courage to ask Lady Jane for a dance... Grace seeing her son's face and had never seen him so intense while dancing.

"Susan... I need your advice..." Grace stopped as she noticed the Prince Regent had just joined them.

"Never mind I will ask you later..." the direction of her glaze was noticed by the Prince who observed the young couple dancing together.

"They look well matched... hmmm" was all he said. Susan taking hold of Grace's hand and giving it a squeeze.

"John... I don't want our son to be disappointed" Grace shared later when she was lead to the dance floor by her husband.

"Don't get ahead of yourself... you have marriage on your mind because of the girls... leave our son be!" John suggested.

Charlotte looking over could see the children were watching the dancing... she whispered into Henry's ear who agreed. Jenny, Henry, Alice, Alex, Johanna and Lydia were asked to dance and they couldn't contain their joy. Henry danced with Lydia, Edward with Johanna, Stanley with Jenny, John with Alice, Henry with Alison, Alex with Charlotte. Those watching took note of this beautiful scene and determined to do the same things at their own family event.

Alexandra turning to her husband who took her hand and they joined in with the dancers... there were more dancers than watchers this evening. It was not about being seen but instead spending time with family and friends.

Many memories were created, new possibilities presented themselves and Susan certainly had given the London ton something to talk about!