The excitement in Trafalgar House was not contagious for each of the party going towards the hotel. Each adult and older Heywood child accompanied one of the youngest children.
On the one hand, Arthur was holding a very sleepy Michael who was dribbling on his brown coat. He found the child quite charming and his dribbling made him to chuckle. This caught Emily's attention who was carrying a sleeping Laura in her arms who was doing the exact same thing on her shoulder. This got them both silently laughing, but they stifled their amusement in order not to wake the two young ones up.
Having the same sense of humour was a great start, thought Arthur to himself. They both felt some sort of connection which made Arthur flush with pleasure and excitement. He was indeed prodigiously proud of himself!
He was silently blessing his sister-in-law in his head for her foresight in sitting him next to Miss Emily. He knew that he was no Adonis due to his plumb physique. Yet, he could charm any lady of his choice providing he was. of course. given the opportunity to do so. This ability to charm the opposite sex was one of the Parker men's traits that had been passed on them by their mother- one that he rarely used himself. However, he felt that it was vital that he made an exception when it came to Miss Emily Heywood.
On the other hand, Alison was so very pleased to be cuddling with Ben, who was asleep. She dearly loved all her siblings, but apart from Charlotte, she was closest to her brother Ben. They shared the same colour hair and eyes and his personality was very similar to hers. She did not realise until today how much she had missed him.
Frederick and Mr Thompson were walking behind Alison and Arthur. Christian, who was fighting valiantly not to fall asleep standing up, was walking slowly beside Frederick. He wanted to be seen to be behaving like a gentleman like his uncle and Mr Thompson. He admired Frederick very much and this quality time with him was a real treat. Christian also enjoyed his conversations with Mr Thompson, whom he thought to be a very interesting gentleman to speak to.
In the meantime, Frederick could see both how sleepy his nephew really was and what he was trying to do. Hence, he and Mr Thompson played along and asked about Christian's evening with the Parker children. Christian told them how they had acted out a battle between the French and the English. He immersed himself in his narrative about the battle and momentarily forgot that he was sleepy.
Similarly, Anne was walking next to Thomas. Incidentally, Thomas was as much of an introvert as Anne. In brief, he found a kindred spirit in her due to her quiet nature when she visited the family with Frederick at the Heywood home. They also had similar tastes in literature as they both enjoyed the Robinson Crusoe book. Subsequently, they were engrossed in their conversation of Robinson Crusoe's adventures with Friday seemingly uninterested in the rest of the walking party.
To the left of Anne and Thomas, Lady Susan was walking next to Mary, who looked very much like Charlotte as she might have been when she was younger. Mary had Charlotte's bright eyes, a sharp and clever wit, which was a trait that was slowly and steadily endearing the child to Susan. She was not always fond of young children, but she enjoyed their conversation immensely even if all they talked about was dolls, having tea and visits.
To the right of Lady Susan, the first Heywood nurse was holding a sleeping Beth and the second one was holding the children's things. Mr Heywood was helping them by holding on to some of the children's things and walking next to his wife.
He then happened to momentarily glance at Alison and a sleepy Ben. Ben was sleeping with his mouth open and a soft snore was coming out of his mouth. Ben was the child who mostly reminded him of himself when he was younger. He used to do that as well. How many times had his nurse tried to snap him out of it! All her attempts had been futile as he still did that even as a grown up when he was very tired. It was at those time when was given a jab on the ribs by his wife for waking her up without meaning to do so.
Mrs Heywood was holding Gina up close and cooing in her ear. She was nearly asleep, and her cooing was lulling her daughter to sleep slowly. All she could do most days was run around like a headless chicken without having the time to spend any considerably long time with each of her children. She loved her eldest children dearly, but the feeling of contentment that she had whenever she spent time like this with her youngest ones was a treat that she never took for granted these days.
Finally, Dr Levinson and Diana were walking next to each other having a quiet conversation as they were carrying some of the Heywood children's belongings. They were fully chaperoned, and it was a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Dr Levinson was not going to waste especially after seeing Diana's reaction to Frederick.
Ordinarily the walk to the hotel lasted a mere set of ten minutes. However, extra 10 minutes were added to the walk due to the impediment of carrying the sleepy children. Eventually the group reached the said building and gathered in the sitting room. The sleepy children were temporarily placed on the sofa under Emily and Alison's supervision to allow the Heywood adults to bid goodbye and thank the rest of non-Heywood adults for their assistance in bringing the children to the hotel.
Before parting the adults started discussing what was going to happen the following day. Thereby, they agreed to meet at the sitting room at eight thirty tomorrow morning just on time for breaking their fast altogether at the hotel's dining room at nine in the morning.
The plan was for half of the adults to go to the picnic location. Mr and Mrs Heywood were then to follow them there after picking up the Parker children and Charlotte from Trafalgar House as well as Miss Georgiana and the Beaufort sisters from their residence. This would mean that Frederick, Anne, Emily, Alison, Lady Susan, Dr Levinson and the Heywood nurses would head to the picnic location after breakfast to place the food on the blankets and reserve a place on the beach before it got too crowded.
In short, they were deliberating on the best location when Arthur told them that he knew just the spot. It was where their parents took them when they were young children. The young Heywood children could run around without the fear of getting hurt. He gave the directions to Mr and Mrs Heywood and explained to them that the Parkers' and Mr Thompson minus the children would join them in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, Mrs Heywood, the ever prompt and considerate hostess, promptly summoned a maid and asked her to have a hamper for 30 people ready for them before their departure tomorrow. The maid returned to confirm that the cook was dealing with the lady's request as they spoke.
Mrs Heywood also took a moment to write an invitation to Mr Stringer. She wrote to cordially invite him to the Heywood picnic and for him to meet them at the hotel sitting room at ten in the morning. She gave the note to the maid who promised to deliver it herself on the morrow.
It seems that Alison guessed what her mother was doing and kept her eyes trained on her like a hawk. Mrs Heywood smiled at her daughter, gave her a nod and this prompted Alison to give her mother a wide face-splitting, happy smile as she understood what her mother was doing. It was all she could do to show her mother how grateful she was for inviting the man she loved at the picnic without garnering any further attention upon herself.
At first, Mr Heywood looked puzzled at his wife's and daughter's secret communication, but his wife looked at him with purpose. He then understood that not only was he going to relinquish his eldest daughter to Sidney Parker, but that Alison was very interested in a young man herself. Not to mention a blushing Emily who was finding Mr Arthur Parker appealing! He wanted to groan from frustration! To lose three daughters all at once! What was going to become of him! His all-knowing wife knew what he was thinking and winked at him. He could do nought but shrug his shoulders resignedly and smile at her.
It was at that moment that Arthur suddenly turned to Miss Emily, who had blushed crimson to the roots of her hair, kissed her gloved hand and wished her goodnight. An action that made Diana turn to look at her brother with a bewildered look as if she was seeing him for the first time. Consequently, she realised at that point that her little brother's heart had at last been touched and blessed the Heywood family with all her heart for entering their life.
Diana has indeed holding herself back from fully considering Dr Levinson as her future husband since she was worried about what would become of Arthur when she left him. She breathed a sigh of relief seeing him being so attentive towards Miss Emily. He will be ok, thought she to herself and the thought prompted her to give a radiant smile to Dr Levinson who felt that something had shifted in her attitude towards him, but he was not sure what that was. He would wait and see. He was a patient man when it came to Miss Diana.
However, Arthur's action did not go unnoticed by the rest of the adult group either. The Heywood parents exchanged a look that communicated that they would discuss this development later. Mr Thompson was also exceedingly glad to see something happening between the youngest Parker brother and Miss Emily.
Mr Thompson believed Mr Arthur really needed a good lady in his life and that Miss Emily would be just perfect for him. He got to know her a bit when he was at Willingden. This experienced lawyer could not help but think how much she deserved a considerate partner in her life and how well her temperament would suit a lively lad like Arthur. Mr Arthur, save Mr Sidney, was one of his favourites in the Parker family and he sincerely felt that he had not been given much of an opportunity to be happy.
Eventually the adults started departing from the room. Arthur, Dr Levinson and Diana wished everyone good night and departed. This left the Heywood parents, the children, Lady Susan, Anne and Frederick in the sitting room.
Subsequently, a decision had to be made about the rooms. It was swiftly decided that Mr Heywood would share a room with his wife. This left five remaining rooms for the Heywood family. Alison volunteered for Michael for share hers, Emily was to share with Laura, Christian with Ben, the first Heywood nursery nurse was to share a room with Thomas and Gina and finally the second Heywood nurse was to share a room with Beth. The whole family was tired by this point, so they bade Mr Thompson, Anne, Frederick and Lady Susan goodnight and departed for their respective rooms.
Mr Thompson offered to escort Lady Susan to her room. She accepted his offer graciously and they also left the room. This left only Anne and Frederick in the sitting room by themselves. Frederick was looking at Anne like a naughty schoolboy who had been caught stealing sweets from the shop. She only smiled indulgently and tutted loudly.
It was not often that her Frederick put a foot wrong. She was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle of her extremely handsome fiancé looking like a kicked puppy. Yet, she loved him too much to let him wallow in suspense for too long a time. She approached him and laid her head on his solid chest. He returned the embrace and drew her in to share his warmth. In truth they both were relieved to enjoy a moment of privacy after being surrounded by people throughout the day. They could each hear one another heave a huge sigh of relief and savour the feeling of their closeness.
This only lasted a moment or so though until Frederick felt Anne's quiet chuckle vibrating on his chest. He pushed her away from his chest for an inch or so to survey her bright, giggling face. He then enquired curiously in an amused voice, 'Annie, what are giggling about?'
Anne exclaimed, 'Why on earth, my love, did you look like a shocked rabbit when you saw Lady Susan? You need not have worried about her speaking to me. She is a very kind lady and she mentioned to me that you two already knew each other from when you were younger and that you would explain the circumstances. She was exceedingly nice to me. She even invited us to London to visit her and implored me that we apply to her should we ever require her assistance.'
Frederick looked stunned at this communication 'Really? And you are not upset?'
Anne looked at him in a bemused manner, 'My darling Frederick, no, I am not upset. Why should I be upset? You have never lied to me. Lady Susan was an acquaintance of yours when you were young. You love me, I love you. There is very little anyone can do to separate us after all that we have endured. Our love has endured the test of time.
You know, you hardly know the power your looks and charismatic character have over all the females who encounter you wherever you go. Do you realise that nearly all of them want you for themselves, but I am the only one who is privileged enough to have your love and full attention? Do you know how powerful that makes me feel?
No, my love, I am not worried. I am secure in your love and I bask in it like a cat basking under the hot summer sun. I only wish you would tell me what has had you so thoroughly worried today.'
Frederick could hardly contain his joy at her exclamation and gave his fiancée such a thorough kiss that he had to stop himself before he reached the point of no return and he could not control himself further. He has been patient all this time. Another two months would not hurt him.
Anne loved kissing him and this sudden kiss literally took her breath away. Her cheeks were stained in a very attractive red bright blush and she smiled up at him once the kiss ended. 'This is the Frederick that I know, and I adore. Now let us sit down and you can tell me all about it.'
She took his left hand and led him to the beige love seat at the edge of the table. Frederick sat down, asked her to sit in from him, and cuddled her sweetly from behind.
He told her about young Susan's visit to Liverpool, how they met at the local bookshop and talked about the same tome of poems that that they both wanted to purchase. He told her the story of two very young lovers with no experience of the real world and the havoc it could wreak in their lives. He told her how they fell in love at the young age of 17 and how they met at the park for several times during their brief courtship. How he wanted to marry her and she him and how they were thwarted by her parents who refused to consider him as their son-in-law due his poor financial prospects. He told her how a tear-stained 17-year-old Susan was forced to leave the city and him behind as he thought then broken hearted and how this had prompted him to prove to everyone how he could succeed despite their expectations.
Anne listened to him without interrupting and finally understood a part of him that he had unconsciously hidden from her without realising that he had done so. One of the real reasons why her abandonment of him had hurt him so much. It was because it had been the second time that a lady refused his suit in the same manner. She finally understood that him being rejected by the one he loved was one of his largest unnamed fears that he dared not voice aloud even to her.
He finished talking and held her close for a long moment. They were both silent for a little while before Anne ventured, 'I understand now why our initial parting hurt you so. You know, though, that I would never reject your love or push you away. You should not fear it so. Once we marry and we settle down, the fear will subside.'
Frederick could feel the last part of his soul mending after Anne's comment. He was so relieved that she understood him so well that a lone tear went down his cheek that Anne wiped with her thumb gently, turned around and gave a hearty kiss on the lips. The kiss was a promise and gave them both a sense of closure that all secrets have been shared and that they could carve a bright new future for themselves.
They stopped to breathe and looked at each other trying to compose themselves. Once he got back his voice, he told her with a voice shaking with of emotion, 'Annie, my love, some say love happens only once. Some say love can happen twice. However, I can say that I have fallen in love like a million times because every time I see you, I fall in love with you again and again.'.
Anne had tears in her eyes after hearing his words. She could only whisper, 'Oh Frederick...' and kissed him again. It was the only way to express how his words had made her feel all tingly, secure and loved. She was no poet and showing him her love was the only way she knew how to thank him for his beautiful words. They cuddled for some more minutes after their kiss until Frederik could feel Anne's eyes closing. He nudged her awake and escorted her to her room and then went to his own.
