Three young women
Alison, Jane and Victoria had walked over to the Crowe estate to visit Charlotte. The trip home had been uncomfortable and much longer as Charlotte required regular stops. They found her in bed propped up by many pillows... Mary and Susan keeping her company. Charlotte had pushed Henry out the door as there were a number of estate projects that needed his attention. Before leaving he gave her a kiss and spoke to his children to be kind to their mother.
"I think they are not listening to you today... they are very busy at the moment" she grimaced
"My love... you are really my warrior" he gave her another kiss and had reluctantly left the room. They could hear him whistle as he walked down the hall.
"He whistles when he is happy... I am pleased to be home" smiled Charlotte. She was feeling relaxed and expected the local midwife to visit this morning.
"He really has become the country farmer..." Mary commented... this had been her first time seeing Henry in his farm wear.
"Yes... and widely respected by locals... he has already been contacted to check a cow which is due to give birth" laughed Charlotte
It was at this point the three young women had arrived and they spent time talking with each other. Mary telling everyone about her cottage and what she planned to do with it to make it feel like home. One of the first things she had done was put up the drawing Jane had created of her children. Currently the children were at the Heywood estate and John C had promised to drop them home later in the day. Mary had happily walked from their cottage to the main house to spend the day with Charlotte and Susan.
"How are you Jane? Do you feel at home with us?" Charlotte asked carefully looking at her face.
"I feel as if I have always belonged here" She shared and smiled radiantly. John C had surprised her with some flowers he had picked personally.
"Good... we love it that your are here... hopefully we will call you sister soon!" commented Alison
"I am working on it!" laughed a determined Jane
"Jane... you father just needs time... but since you packed every piece of your belongings and arranged for your dogs to be transported to Willingdon ... he is going to have to get use to the idea" commented Susan
"Did you leave on good terms?" Charlotte asked as she placed her hand on Jane's arm
"Yes... he promised to come and visit me"
"Good... you will be able to show him how happy you are... I still don't know what you see in my twin brother" teased Alison who received a light slap from Jane.
Alison's wedding was in 5 days and most of the conversation was centred around the arrangements. Charlotte was determined to be up and participate in most of the activities. It was the main reason she had agreed to bed rest... Henry had been firm about the matter... he wanted her to have the strength for the celebrations.
The conversation was turned by Jane who introduced a new topic...
"I was sorry not to have meet 'Lady Christina'... she sounds like a lovely girl"
Victoria and Alison had told Jane the story of this young women. Jane had felt compassion for Christina as she herself had lost her mother as a child.
"What have you decided concerning the request from the Duke of Jacaranda?" asked Charlotte... she was interested in Susan's reply
"I told 'his grace' that I would be away from London for a number of months and don't know when I will be returning" answered Susan
"Lady Christina was upset we were leaving so I gave her our address so we could correspond" Victoria had been surprised to have received a letter this morning from the young girl. She pulled out the letter and everyone read its content.
"It sounds like the poor girl is having a lonely time in London" reflected Charlotte
"Yes... it sounds like she grew up on a country estate and is finding London busy" Alison suggested... Charlotte knew what was coming ...
"I think we should invite them to visit Willingdon... we have plenty of space and Susan can help prepare Christina for the coming session" decided Alison.
Everyone agreeing that it was a good idea and Victoria wrote a letter of invitation to Lady Christina.
The midwife arrived ... Victoria, Alison and Jane deciding it was a good time to head home. Alison and Victoria had chosen to walk another way so they could show more of the estate to Jane. It was a beautiful lane that wrapped itself around the boundary of the Heywood estate. The three women were walking in silence and appreciating the beauty of the country. Their thoughts were interrupted by voices and noticed it was a group of local boys working on a fence.
"Ignore them... it is the Pike boys" blew out an angry Victoria.. she had been a victim of their harsh words over the years.
Alison could see their boundary and urged the them to walk quickly and ignore the young men. The young men had seen them coming and had stopped working. The three women becoming uncomfortable by the way they were staring at them. Since the attack Alison had become a little jumpy and had to control her emotions so she could think clearly. Jane was also feeling unsettled and was holding her wrist ... it had only healed from Lord North's attack.
"They do not have any power over us... we are strong women who have overcome worst things" spoke a firm Victoria... but also wished Stanley was present.
"Well... it has been a while since we have seen the lovely Miss Heywood's... why don't you stop and talk with us..." Johnny Pike commented and the other boys snickered
"Who do you have with you... another beautiful women we can watch... what is your name?" Peter Pike called out...
"I warn you Mr Pike... you don't want my father or brothers knowing how you have spoken to us" Victoria threatened
"Come now... Miss Victoria... we were just having some fun with you" Peter teased
"You know what happened the last time when you tried to take liberties" Victoria raised her voice and her eyes flashed with anger. Peter actually admired Victoria and seeing her suddenly... he had spoken without thought. When she was angry he found her very alluring. It was one of the main reasons he like to tease her. He still bore the scar from her hitting him with a shovel.
"You don't have your shovel today" he laughed... getting the reaction he wanted... her blazing angry eyes
"I warn you again Mr Pike... watch yourself" Victoria pointing her finger at him.
They had kept walking and thankfully arrived at the edge of the Heywood estate and walked through a boundary gate. They were relieved when they saw John C working in the field. They must have looked a little ruffled as John noticed straight away that something was wrong. He observed Jane who had a worried look on her face and she was holding her wrist. He pulled her into an embrace and asked what was wrong.
"Johnny and Peter Pike were being unpleasant as we passed them" Alison commented... John C tightened his hold of Jane and placed a reassuring hand on each of his sisters shoulders.
"We are well brother... they did no harm us... it was only words" Victoria commented
"You know we can defend ourselves" Alison reminded him. He nodded but it was different when thinking about Jane... he could see that Alison was upset... he knew she was thinking about what happened to her in York. He knew Edward and Stanley would not be pleased.
He nodded and directed his men to continue with the work. He took hold of Jane's hand and walked the women home. When they arrived home he leaned down and kissed Jane on the forehead before heading into the house.
"My... our brother is free with his affections." teased Victoria. Jane looking as if she had won a prize... linked her arms with Victoria and Alison and they walked into the house to find Grace.
