Willingden,
December 1824
The Christmas period was rapidly approaching in the Heywood household and every member of the family had presents to purchase, decorations to display and seasons greetings to share with all their neighbours. It was Christmas eve and Charlotte, who had purchased many of her gifts during her time in Town, found herself stringing mistletoe around a scarlet ribbon in the kitchen to construct the kissing bough to be hung within the entrance to their home. Her closest friend and brother's wife, Kate, sat beside her crafting stars from sugar pastillage for the younger children. The men had gone to find the perfect yule log for the fire while Anne and Julia were preparing some eggnog and mulled wine for the next day's dinner celebrations.
Bringing her hand up to stifle a yawn as she strung the last twig of mistletoe to the kissing bough, Charlotte's heart was warmed by the happiness and festivity around her. Setting the bough to the side she silently gave thanks for her family and contentment following the last tumultuous year. The moment of contemplation was abruptly interrupted as a crowd of her brothers followed her father into the kitchen with an impressively sized yule log. Charlotte and her sisters rose from their seats to allow the crowd to pass through and place the log before the hearth in readiness to set it aflame in the morning.
Once the yule log had been set down, the family made their way into the drawing room for the lighting of the yule candle that would burn through the night and welcome Christmas into their home. Their cook, maids, butler and house-keeper shortly brought the evening meal into the dining room while the youngest of Charlotte's siblings carried the candle to be placed upon the table. The servants joined the family on this night every year to celebrate the end of a successful year and give greetings to the next.
As the evening came to a close, and the members of her family drifted to bed, Charlotte returned the candle to the drawing room and set it carefully on a side table at a distance from anything that might catch in the open flame. Charlotte smiled as closed the door behind her and made her way up to her own bedchamber. She was glad to be home indeed.
Willingden,
March 1825
Charlotte was pleased to find letters from both Lady Susan and Esther among the morning post as she ventured down to break her fast. Opening the letter from Lady Susan first, Charlotte was delighted to hear of her god-daughter's early adventures into the world and determined to send a letter of her own that very day. From Esther she received an invitation to join her friend on a trip to Edinburgh where Lord Babbington had business matters to handle and would not be able to keep his wife in constant company.
If Charlotte was agreeable they would send a carriage to collect her after Sunday Mass to meet them in Town from where they would travel the rest of the journey in each other's company. Charlotte was pleased to accept the invitation and, on Saturday afternoon, could be found with her sister packing her trunk in preparation for her departure.
Edinburgh,
April 1825
The winter snows had begun to thaw shortly before they travelled into Scotland and Charlotte had been amazed by the scenery of the country as they passed through despite the frequent barrenness.
Lord Babbington owned a townhouse in St Andrew Square and Charlotte had enjoyed availing herself of the library there when she was not accompanying Esther on outings or social calls. Though, admittedly, the calls to Esther's acquaintances were few and far between; Esther had not previously accompanied her husband on his business trips and so had very few acquaintances beyond the microcosm of Town.
Lord Babbington had completed his business affairs the previous day and he, Esther and Charlotte had dined with one of Lord Babbington's associates and his wife that evening and the couple had just departed. They were gathered in the drawing room playing a game of speculation before retiring for the evening as they were due to depart back to London the following day. Charlotte would remain with them the week complete before one of Lord Babbington's many carriages returned her to Cambridge. It would be her first time visiting her own estate and she was looking forward to the challenges that no doubt awaited her, not least would be the appointing of a new steward for the rundown estate.
Cambridge,
April 1825
Charlotte sat in the sun room of Walcot Hall gazing out upon the gardens to the rear of the house. She had retreated there after several hours hidden away in the study poring over accounts and reports from the past several years. She was still poring over those same documents but found greater comfort in the sun room. Charlotte had rapidly come to the conclusion she was in desperate need of a steward to help her manage her rapidly expanding affairs and was grateful for the suggestions her brother and father had sent her and she was due to meet with the two gentlemen who seemed the most sensible choices that afternoon.
It was as she was drifting further into this line of thought, Fellows, the butler that had come with her new home, ventured into the sun room to inform her that the first of these gentlemen had arrived. Charlotte thanked Fellows, asked that he show Mr Jones into the sun room and set aside her papers but for the final report from the last steward which she intended to show to both gentlemen and discuss with them.
Mr Jones was escorted into the sun room a moment later and Charlotte stood to greet him. "Mr Jones, it's a pleasure to meet you." She smiled as she offered her hand and was somewhat surprised when he shook it briskly rather than pressing a kiss to the back of it as was the custom with gently-bred females.
"A pleasure indeed Lady Heywood." He greeted cheerily in return and settled himself in the seat she gestured to.
"Miss Heywood, Mr Jones, for I am neither married nor a lady by birth. My brother spoke highly of your skills when I wrote him for advice on engaging a new steward for this estate. Perhaps you could tell me what you think of the last report I was able find from the previous steward?"
Mr Jones agreed and they spent the next hour discussing the report and its implications for the estate moving forward. Mr Jones was clearly a very intelligent man but also an equally excitable one. Charlotte was a happy person by nature and delighted in the world around her but Mr Jones' energy had been exhausting even for her. She didn't doubt he was very competent at his job but it would require a steadier personality than her own to engage with the man on a regular basis.
Charlotte felt she had greater success with Mr Martin when he arrived. A slightly older gentleman with a friendly countenance and agreeable manners, Mr Martin was knowledgeable on the matter of estate management and pleased to share what he knew with her. Having spent some time discussing the state of Walcot's finances, grounds and tenants during which Mr Martin had explained in greater depth the causes and consequences of each problem they came across.
Charlotte ended her day confident that Walcot would be left in safe hands when she could not be present herself and had agreed with Mr Martin the terms of his employment; namely, his pay, lodgings and outlined the expectations she had of him. She silently thanked her father and brothers for their guidance on the nature of a steward's role as she settled for a simple evening meal. She was looking forward to enjoying her newfound freedom but would miss spending time with her family as she pleased.
