Chapter Ten: Cornflowers
The next morning, Alexander took a walk. He wanted to be alone with his thoughts of her. Soon, both girls would be up, and he would have breakfast with them.
She still loved him, and he had seen it in her eyes yesterday. He had a chance to win her back, and he was determined that he would do whatever it took, for however long it took, to make her his wife.
Charlotte had said that we give people the power to hurt us, and he agreed. He also thought we give people power to heal us, and to make us better people. He was lucky to have his girls to help him be a better man, and he hoped that someday, they would love him as Charlotte did her father.
Charlotte's love made him feel alive again. She was so beautiful, and she awakened feelings in him that had long been dormant. He loved her with a passion he had known he was capable of.
Alexander recalled all that Charlotte had spoken of Sidney Parker. He was glad she had shared her heart with him. He wanted to know her better, and her relationship with Parker certainly was an important part of her past. He could not ever imagine looking back on Lucy and his marriage with fondness, but he had the girls because of her and for that, he was very grateful.
He came upon a meadow of cornflowers, and he thought of the day he joined Charlotte and the girls for a picnic. She had told him that they were her favorites. They had spoken of the myth of Achilles, and he had been surprised that she knew the myth.
He decided he would take her some cornflowers today. He picked a large handful, and walked back to the house.
He took them to the kitchen for Mrs. Wheatley to put in water until he took them to Trafalgar House later this morning.
The girls were at the breakfast table when he got there.
Leo asked, 'Father, where have you been? We have been waiting for you."
Augusta said, "Uncle, we both only sat down a few minutes before you got here. It is fine, really."
Alexander apologized and said, 'I picked some cornflowers for Miss Heywood this morning. I am going to take them to her after breakfast."
Leo said, "She did say there were her favorites, Father."
He smiled at his daughter, noticing she was dressed in her scarlet coat, and said, "I know, Leo."
Augusta thought for a moment and then made a suggestion, "Might Leo and I go to pick some other wildflowers to go with the cornflowers to fill out the bouquet, Uncle? I could wrap the stems with some lace and then tie it all together with a ribbon."
Alexander said, "That is a brilliant idea! Thank you so much. While you girls are doing that, I have something to do in my office. Come and see me once you have the flowers ready."
He stood up and turned to look at his girls, "I love Miss Heywood, Augusta and Leo, and I would appreciate anything you can think of to help me show her what she means to me."
"Leo, that does not mean you tell her that I love her; that is my job. Understood?"
Leo smiled and got up to hug her father, "Yes, it is understood, Father. Good soldiers keep their word."
He bent down and held his daughter for a moment, and said, "Good girl, Leo, and yes, they do."
He nodded to Augusta, and thanked her for her help.
Mrs. Wheatley had come into his study a short time later and brought him a cup of tea, She could not hide her smile.
Alexander looked up at her, "I can see you approve, Mrs. Wheatley."
She said, "Yes, Xander, I most certainly do."
The girls went to pick more flowers and to arrange them with Mrs. Wheatley's help.
Alexander took out a fresh sheet of parchment and began writing.
Satisfied with his letter, he folded it up and sealed it.
He tried to turn his attention to work, but could not focus on what needed to be done.
He had just stood up to go saddle Hannibal when the girls knocked on his door.
"Come in, Augusta and Leo."
Augusta showed him the bouquet. It was beautiful and there were many flowers included, but the cornflowers took center stage. Augusta had wrapped the stems together with a while lace ribbon, and then tied a pretty blue ribbon in the middle of the lace.
Alexander was touched by the care his girls had taken to make his humble gift so lovely.
He thanked them again and praised their work.
"Ladies, leave it on the table in the foyer while I saddle Hannibal."
The girls exchanged smiles and did as he asked.
On his way out, he grabbed his note for doe Miss Heywood, and Mrs. Wheatley said she would bring the bouquet to him in a few minutes.
She watched him from the front windows with some amusement. He seemed younger today than he had since he had sent Miss Heywood away a few months ago. She hoped that Miss Heywood would soon be a permanent member of the family.
When she saw that Alexander and the groomsman had Hannibal ready, and Alexander was on his horse, she walked out and handed him his gift, and a note from Augusta.
"See you soon, Xander."
He nodded to her, and left for town.
Alexander rode along the cliff tops into town, and it was all he could do to slow down and take his time to get there. Hannibal seemed to sense his anxiety, and Xander had to remind himself that Hannibal was attuned to his master. He took deep breaths and reminded himself that patience was a virtue.
When he got to town, he went directly to Trafalgar House.
He knocked on the door, and a servant answered it. He handed the flowers and his note to her and left.
Miss Heywood had told him she had work to do for the Parker brothers, and he wanted to respect that her time was taken today.
Mary was with Charlotte in the study. Charlotte was sorting invoices and Mary was writing letters. Georgiana had gone to have tea with Arthur.
The maid brought the flowers and note to Mary, and she handed them to Charlotte.
"These are for you, my dear."
Charlotte looked up from the pile of invoices she was sorting and took them from Mary.
She opened the card and read it.
Dear Miss Heywood,
I remember you telling me that cornflowers were your favorites, so I picked these for you this morning. Leo and Augusta wanted to add their own flowers to my small gift.
As you know, In the myth of Achilles, cornflowers were used to heal his wounds. You are cornflowers to my wounded soul, Miss Heywood. With your presence in my life, I strive to be a better man, and a man who is whole again, maybe for the first time in my life. I do it for you, and for the girls, but most of all, I am doing it for myself. I want to be the father my girls need, and in time, the husband you want me to be.
Cornflowers also represent reliability and fidelity. I promise you, that whatever our future holds, you can rely on my friendship and my loyalty to you. If you become my wife, I can promise you that I will be faithful to you until I draw my last breath.
You mean everything to me, Alexander Colbourne
Mary asked, "Who are they from, Charlotte?"
"Mr. Colbourne, Mary. Aren't they beautiful?"
"Yes, they are, Charlotte."
"He included a lovely note with them," Charlotte said with a smile.
"I can see you are well-pleased, dear girl. I am happy for you."
"Thank you, Mary."
Charlotte went to get a vase to put the bouquet in. Once she had added water to the vase, and arranged the flowers to her satisfaction, she brought it back into the study to enjoy as she finished going through all the paperwork that seemed to multiply by the day on Tom Parker's desk.
Later that afternoon, she and Georgina took a walk on the beach, and the girls spoke about the remarkable conversation that Charlotte and Mr. Colbourne had yesterday, and his gift with the note today.
Georgiana said, "You know, Charlotte, I really like what I am learning about your Mr. Colbourne. He seems to really be trying to heal from all he has been through."
Charlotte said, 'I believe he is, and I must be patient with him, Georgiana. He is three and thirty and has known very little of love in his life. He is like that turtle on the sand over there by the rocks. He has a hard shell around him to protect him from anything or anyone that might cause him pain. He has been too afraid to come out of his shell for many years, but slowly, he is venturing forth and taking risks."
Georgiana said, "I am a little like that turtle myself, although we both know that when I venture out, I can snap at those who try to get too close. I have been very lucky to have your friendship, and the Parkers. I miss Sidney, and I wish I had realized while he was still alive how much I cared about him."
Charlotte squeezed Georgiana's hand and they walked in silence for a short time, each lost in their memories.
"Georgiana, can you be at the house tomorrow afternoon when Mr. Colbourne comes for tea? I would like for you to get to know him better. I think it would be good to have Arthur there as well. He makes us all laugh, and we are assured to have a good time with the two of you."
"Of course, Charlotte, what are friends for?"
Thank you, and that reminds me, I need to write a letter to Lady Susan when we get back about all that has transpired since she was here."
The girls stopped by the assembly house for tea, and then headed home.
When Charlotte was getting ready for bed, she took out the note from Mr. Colbourne again and reread it. He really was quite endearing, and she did love him.
She got in bed and closed her eyes. He was coming for tea in the afternoon, and she would see him then.
Sleepily she said, "Until tomorrow, Mr. Colbourne."