Better than dinner at the palace
Jane was spending her morning with the estate dogs. She was pleased with their condition but could see they required more training. She found her John and while enjoying his embrace asked permission to train them.
"This will be your estate and will have equal say.. if the dogs need training... it is your decision... I trust you!" he simply stated and was rewarded with her brightest smile.
She started explaining what she was planning to do with the dogs and was bubbling with excitement. They also talked about the facilities she would be needing for her dog breeding operations and was pleased with the area selected. It was temporary but they would begin building once the plans had been approved by Jane.
"You are too good to me... you trust my judgment?" she asked
"Yes...completely" he replied without any hesitation
"So when are you going to propose? she demanded
"Patience... my love... soon" he was going to do it after Alison's wedding
"Could we go hunting? I want to see how the dogs work together and their personalities?" she hopefully asked
"Whatever you want... my lady" John calling for their guns... and a number of the family also joined them. The Heywood's loved hunting and spending time together.
As they waited for James to arrive ... John C observed Jane expertly taking control of the hunting pack... the dogs all surrounding her... waiting for their next command. It didn't take long for the dogs to recognise a new leader. He wouldn't be surprised by the end of the day if all the dogs would be following her whenever she was outside. Even John's dog he had been spending more time with Jane. He couldn't blame them... she was a wonder.
John Heywood had arrived with James and the hunting party set off... everyone watching Jane as she worked with the dogs... they had never seen the pack work so effectively.
While this was happening Stanley and Edward had made good time on their horses. It was faster than taking the carriage... their own carriages were being driven down by their own drivers. They had stopped at the Willingdon Inn to gain directions to the Heywood Estate and have some refreshments. The Inn keeper had been told to keep an eye out for these gentlemen by Henry and was pleased to take care of them for him.
"Well, I guess this will be your local Inn... how do you feel about moving here?" Stanley asked
"Alison had asked if we could live near her family and I wanted to be near Henry... he gifted a family living and estate as a wedding gift" smiled Edward. He was going to have to inform his cousin about the change of his status.
While Edward was describing his estate and the current renovations being undertaken... Stanley could see his future brother's excitement and it made him look forward to his own marriage. Their attention was taken by a young man because he had spoken the name 'Victoria Heywood'...
"Ah... she is beautiful when she is angry..." Pete Pike reflected
"I always preferred Alison Heywood... her figure is fuller and ..." Johnny Pike didn't complete his sentence as he felt the presence of two gentlemen staring at him. Feeling bold he stood up and walked over... he was strong and a good fighter.
"What are you gentleman doing in this lonely part of England? Are you lost?" he wanted a flight
Edward and Stanley had assessed the situation and decided to ignore the young man.
"Hey... I am talking to you!" he challenged them
"Sir, you are drunk and interrupting our meal" firmly stated Edward
"I will do what I please... you are not my master?"
"No... you would be asked to leave my employment after such disrespect" Stanley answered
The Inn keeper seeing the gentlemen being disturbed asked his son to quietly move Johnny Pike back to his own table. Edward and Stanley finished their meal and left the Inn... they felt the sudden need to see their ladies and make sure they were safe. Pete Pike sizing up these two gentlemen from London and knew his brother would have had no chance against them.
Edward and Stanley arrived at the Heywood's and were greeted by their future mother-in-law. Even though they were pleased to see her they were disappointed Victoria and Alison were not currently in the house.
"They should be back soon... they all went hunting... my girls hate embroidery... " Laughed Grace patting each man on the shoulder. As if she had known they heard a pack of dogs barking and voices. The headed out and they saw their loves holding their own hunting rifles with huge smiles on their faces.
"It looks like we are going to have deer tonight" Grace heading back to the kitchen to direct the staff to serve refreshments.
John watched as his sisters ran to welcome their betrothed... he grabbed Jane's hand and they walked together to welcome them.
"Welcome gentlemen to the Heywood Estate" John Heywood welcomed his future son-in-laws.
"Thank you, Sir" Edward answered
"Sir... I thought we got over that.." John Heywood teased
"Refreshments are ready to be served" Grace called everyone to come inside.
Edward and Stanley stopping John C and told him about the men in the Inn.
"That would be Johnny and Pete Pike..." John telling the men what happened the other day.
"Hmmm..." was all that Stanley and Edward could say before their attention was taken by either Victoria or Alison.
A message of their arrival had been sent to the Crowe Estate and before they knew it Charlotte, Henry, Susan and the Parker Children had arrived. They had dinner together and spent the evening playing family games.
"Now this is much better than the family meal we had at the palace" Jane told John while he held her hand.
