The Parker/Lamb/Heywood party arrived at Heyrick at 3:58 and was just entering the front door at exactly 4:00 pm for tea. As they entered the lovely sitting room, everyone was looking around anxiously for Mr. Colbourne to arrive. Augusta entered first and was just greeting everyone when Leo went sliding down the hallway yelling at the top of her lungs. The noise faded off into the distance as the voice of her new governess was heard calming, urging Leo to the nursery for her own tea. The younger Parker children had come along with their mother and were swiftly herded along to the nursery as well.
When the chaos had abated somewhat the adults were standing around looking confused when a steady line of booted footsteps emerged from the study and headed to the sitting room. Charlotte's heart seemed to beat in time with them, and she was frozen to the spot. She heard and saw nothing else, just the open doorway and the footsteps leading him closer. Unbeknownst to her, the others had quietly seated themselves strategically around the room, leaving only the two-person settee for her and Mr. Colbourne.
The object of her focus appeared in the doorway, finally, hair falling gently over his brow as he made his bow to her. "Ms. Heywood", he smiled his lopsided grin, "I trust you are well."
"Indeed, Mr. Colbourne. I am. And yourself?"
"Quite so. Shall we? " His dark eyes were shining as their gazes met. He gestured towards the only empty seats in the room and he put his hand gently at the small of her back for a split second to guide her towards them. Where he touched her there was a lingering heat. She did not have time to dwell on that, but raised her eyebrows and opened her eyes wide when she saw the faces of her friends. They all looked like the cat eating the canary, eyes full of secrets and a bit of mirth. She and Xander (she called him such only in the quiet of her mind) settled in and she noticed he was holding a letter. He put it on the table and helped himself to some of the delicious-looking sandwiches his staff had provided.
"Everyone, please." he said "Help yourselves. Nothing is better on an empty stomach, good news or bad. It will keep for a few moments whilst we fortify ourselves. But do not worry, it is not bad news. It is just a conundrum… breadcrumbs to follow but who knows where."
"Breadcrumbs, Mr. Colbourne?" queried Charlotte
"Patience, Ms Heywood." he responded, brushing a crumb from her cheek.
He was gratified when she blushed, but he pretended not to notice.
