Declan Fraser sat on his horse, riding slowly back to the militia camp in the moonlight.
He was alone in his early return.
When he left the ball, not one of his friends were close to ready to accompany him. They were greatly enjoying the free food and drink, and the lovely ladies, far too much. Most of them would stumble back to camp close to dawn, cast up their accounts, and fall into their cots fully clothed and reeking of liquor.
Tomorrow they would begin packing to leave Sanditon and head to London. The regiment had received a new posting, this time all the way to India.
Normally he would be full of excitement about this new location. France had been similar to England in terms of weather, food, and topography. But India was entirely different, an exotic world of colors, spices, animals, and climate. He had heard fascinating stories from other military men who had returned from service there. The young boy inside him still longed to see an elephant! Perhaps monkeys and even a tiger as well.
Now that his orders were finally here, he did not want them. It would take him too far away from the woman he loved.
He had danced the most magical dance of his life tonight with the most beautiful woman he had ever known.
From the minute she first walked into the camp earlier in the summer, he was attracted to Miss Alison Heywood.
She was absolutely the most lovely creature he had ever seen, with her golden curls, creamy skin, pink-tinged cheeks and rosebud lips. When she showed her beautiful, sweet smile, her dimples peeked out to charm him.
He tried for weeks to turn off his feelings for her, realizing early on that while she was educated and intelligent, she was also naïve and inexperienced. The comments she made in regard to Captain Carter suggested she was like his younger sister Mary, a girl who loved poetry and was in love with the idea of being in love. It seemed Alison had an idea in her mind of what love was, and was looking to fit the inadequate yet handsome William Carter into it.
But a square peg did not suit a round hole.
Watching her stubbornly pursue her line of thinking was frustrating in the extreme. Carter was in no way suited to her. He had no idea what she was talking about in regard to the poetry and literature she loved. He himself was a far better fit in terms of interests and intelligence and understanding. Their ongoing banter was a most enjoyable match of wits he did not think William could understand. Good Lord, the boy had had absolutely no idea why anyone would find comfort from the horrors of war in a book of poems! Someone like William Carter would bore her to tears once Alison found out who he really was.
Part of it was his own fault. He should have never agreed to help him. The only good thing he himself had done was to save Alison from drowning! The entire situation was a dangerous, disgraceful debacle that he would always regret, even though Alison had forgiven him this morning.
It was best that he was leaving, never to see her again. While she seemed to respect him and enjoy his wit, he knew someone like her, who had grown in wisdom from William's betrayal, could not love someone like him – the son of a poor gentleman farmer with a saber scar marring his cheek and the pain of war marring his heart. A man of valor in war who was too cowardly off the battlefield to admit his feelings to this loving woman.
So he would leave for India, and she would go on to marry some other man who hadn't been damaged and would quote Cowper to her and make her happy.
"Captain Fraser! Why have you returned so early?"
He turned to see Colonel Lennox on his white steed. There were saddle bags packed on the horse. "Are you leaving, sir? I thought you were proposing to Miss Charlotte Heywood this evening."
"I am off to London tonight, Fraser. Captains Millar and Whitby are in charge of overseeing the packing of the camp and the return to London. As for Miss Heywood, I was very mistaken in her suitability to be Mrs. Lennox. Very mistaken indeed." A look of disgust and rage passed over the Colonel's face, surprising him. Whatever had happened had not gone well at all. "Remember, Fraser, most women are whores, and if they do not respect your rank, they deserve to be punished. See you in London."
He stared after Lennox as the man galloped away into the night, troubled by his colonel's parting words.
Clearly the man had had his proposal rejected, and was angry about it. A woman was entitled to say no, and a man was entitled to feel upset. A man who was a true gentleman, however, would respect the lady's decision, not importune her further, degrade her to others, or retaliate against her in anyway. Yet his colonel had just degraded Miss Charlotte to him now, even though he had not named her specifically.
He had some interactions with Miss Charlotte Heywood over the summer, and found her to be intelligent, kind and compassionate. The implication that Alison's sister was in any way disreputable or without morals seemed very, very wrong to him.
What had Lennox done?
He remembered some drunken conversations with other captains and Lennox in the past, in Ramsgate and earlier in Newcastle. Comments about women, taunting of each other over a lady who did not appreciate the advances of a war hero. There was a Miss Morgan in Ramsgate. Lennox had had his eye on her all the while they were posted to the town. He recalled seeing her in the streets during their last week in the seaside town. She had walked oddly, as if with a limp, and she seemed to hold one of her arms tenderly. He had not thought of it much since he was busy preparing the regiment to leave, but now he wondered.
Had she rejected his colonel's advances? Did Lennox hurt her?
If so, were there other ladies in other towns where the militia has been posted that Lennox had, in his words, "punished"?
Alison and her sister were as close and caring of each other as his mother was with his aunt. If his colonel had done something to Charlotte in retaliation for her refusal, Alison would be distraught.
Declan determined to settle his mind about his colonel's parting words. He would never be able to get any rest tonight until he had seen the Heywood sisters with his own eyes and confirmed they were well.
The drawing room at Trafalgar House was awash in light. Candles flickered all around the room, illuminating the drawn faces of the occupants.
Georgiana longed for her bed, but Mary had asked for her help downstairs while she was upstairs with Charlotte, and Georgiana would not cause her friends more grief by leaving any guests unattended.
Tom and Arthur were still at the ball, which might go on a few more hours. They would likely not be home until close to dawn.
Alison had gone upstairs a few minutes ago, tired of waiting, needing to see her sister. She was calmer now, more in control of herself, but still very upset. Georgiana hoped she would not create extra stress for Charlotte, who was in no state to offer comfort to anyone else.
That left herself, Mr. Alexander Colbourne, and his niece Miss Augusta Markham in the drawing room, hoping to soon receive word of Charlotte's condition.
Once Charlotte had been settled in her bed upstairs and made ready for the doctor, Mr. Colbourne had tried to take his niece home, even though it was clear to all he wanted to stay and wait. To everyone's surprise, Charlotte had begged him not to leave, and he agreed. The doctor had even demanded he stay, as his leaving was causing the patient significant agitation. "I will continue my examination now, but Miss Heywood will need as little stress as possible in the coming weeks," he declared.
It felt like hours had passed since anyone had eaten, so she had requested tea and some light refreshments for everyone, hoping to revive herself as well.
All she had been able to manage was a few sips. Her tea had long gone cold.
Georgiana knew she was a bad hostess, not doing anything at all in the way of conversation or entertainment, but she could not. Her mind would not settle. It was far too full of thoughts and observations.
She could not help herself from making a study of Mr. Alexander Colbourne.
Before Georgiana had ever seen the man, even before Charlotte had applied for the governess position, she had heard something of him.
He was a miser, a recluse, and was rarely seen outside of his estate.
However, the original source for this information was Mr. Tom Parker, whose words on any topic should be taken with an entire wagonload of salt. After Charlotte left Sanditon last summer, Sidney confessed to her the real reason he was marrying the odious Mrs. Campion, what his irresponsible, idiot brother had done. Since hearing the truth, Georgiana had never again been able to look at Tom Parker with any liking or respect. In fact, the man disgusted her. She tolerated the fool only for Mary's sake.
Her other major source of information was Charlotte herself. She knew about the clashes between her friend and her employer, but she was as confused as Charlotte. "I cannot make him out, Georgiana," Charlotte had said recently. "One minute he is cold, and then the next, he changes and is open and considerate. He takes one step back and then a step forward. It is very frustrating. One moment I respect and admire him for trying with the girls, and the next I – I do not know."
She knew Charlotte was extremely disappointed by Mr. Colbourne earlier today, when he had refused to consider her entreaties on behalf of the eighteen year-old Augusta to attend the ball, to engage in society. Georgiana imagined Charlotte had been very surprised then to see the two of them arrive at the ball tonight!
What was this man – still looking handsome despite the late hour, and the strain of the evening – all about?
"Mr. Colbourne, I hope you will answer a question for me," she said, breaking the silence.
The man looked at her, blinking. His eyes had been closed, his head resting on that of his niece's, who had fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder. He looked tired, and sad. "I will if I can, Miss Lambe."
"Why did you offer for Charlotte?" she demanded.
It was impertinent of her, but that had never stopped her before. She was known for telling off peers of the realm! And she had to know, for Charlotte's sake.
"I am not surprised by your question, Miss Lambe, if that was your intention. In fact, I expected it. I barely know you, but your actions tonight tell me you are a fierce friend of Charlotte's. I cannot fault your concern for her, or your curiosity." Georgiana watched closely as he paused, seeming to carefully consider his next words. "I offered for Charlotte because it was the right thing to do, and because I admire and respect her. She has shown my family kindness and compassion, sharing her intelligence and wisdom with us. My girls have transformed under her influence as a governess. They could only benefit even more if she is my wife."
Georgiana considered this answer. She had seen this man's face earlier tonight as he tried to help Charlotte. He was not being truthful. She decided to push him. "I hear your answer, Mr. Colbourne. I barely know you, aside from what Charlotte has shared with me. Your actions tonight tell me you have feelings for my beloved friend that go quite beyond gallantry, or admiration and respect, or the need for a motherly type for your girls. No man looks as distraught as you have over his governess. I believe you are in love with Charlotte."
Mr. Colbourne looked at her for a moment, then he looked away. She saw his jaw tighten. Then he spoke, sounding as if he had difficulty forming the words. "And if you are correct about my feelings, Miss Lambe, do you believe you should hear of them before Charlotte does?"
Georgiana had not considered this when she made her statement. She knew she had gone too far. It was not her intent to hurt or embarrass this man, but to make sure her friend would be safe and hopefully happy with him. "No, Mr. Colbourne, I do not. You are correct not to tell me."
She felt guilty for pushing him to reveal feelings that belonged to Charlotte alone.
Georgiana realized she needed to do something she rarely ever did – apologize.
"I hope you will forgive me, Mr. Colbourne, that was not kind of me." Georgiana felt tears coming, but spoke through them. For some strange reason, she felt she wanted Mr. Colbourne to understand her, as much as she wanted to understand him. "Charlotte is my dearest, most beloved friend. She came into my life last summer, at a time when I was in deepest despair. From the very beginning, she accepted me and cared for me as I was, supported me, even when I was not as good a friend to her as she was to me. More than once she has saved me. I want her to be happy, but I am more concerned, especially now, that she will be safe and protected. I am trying to understand you, so I can be sure of Charlotte's well-being."
"I thank you for your plain speaking," he replied. There was a faint smile on his face. "In fact, I prefer it to the politesse that is expected in society. One rarely ever knows the true thoughts of anyone, unless they are intimate friends or family. Again, I cannot fault your care for Charlotte. Please know I would never impede on your friendship with her, if we marry." Then he stopped speaking, but looked as if he had more he wanted to say. Georgiana looked at him expectantly but kept silent. She could conjure up some patience, when required.
"You must know, I would never physically harm Charlotte, or any woman. That is repugnant to me. As for the rest, there are things – things that are extremely – painful - to me. If I shared them with anyone, it must be with Charlotte. I cannot say anything more about it."
It was unfair to push any further looking for a confession. The poor man now looked tortured. "Of course. But you probably already know that Charlotte is very stubborn. She is confused by your behaviors. I would expect her, when she is back at full strength, if she marries you, to seek understanding."
He nodded at her words. "Yes, I expect that too."
A clatter of footsteps on the stairs startled her. Alison rushed into the room. "The doctor is finishing up. He is fairly certain she does not have a concussion, but he will come tomorrow to check. She has a broken nose, and her ribs on the right side are broken. He thinks she will have serious bruising on her face, and right shoulder and arm. She won't be able to go anywhere for some time, let alone get out of bed, while her ribs heal."
"Will you still go home tomorrow?" Georgiana hoped not. Alison was rather different than Charlotte, but had become dear to her in the past weeks. She did not want to see her leave anytime soon.
"No, Mary has asked me to stay. She will need help with both Charlotte and the children."
"Miss Lambe, excuse me." One of the footmen approached. She did not know his name. "There is a caller. A Captain Fraser. I know it is late, shall I send him in?"
Georgiana looked in confusion at Mr. Colbourne, then Alison. "Lennox is his captain! What could he be doing here?
"I know my judgement has not been very sound this summer, but I do not believe Captain Fraser to be a beastly man like the Colonel, Georgiana," Alison said.
"I think you should see him, Miss Lambe," Mr. Colbourne interjected.
"Please send him in." The footman nodded, and left the room.
Georgiana could feel the tension of the three of them stifle the air as they waited for their caller to make his appearance. What could he possibly want at this time of night?
"It is very late for callers, what is the purpose of your visit, Captain Fraser?" she asked briskly as the tall man entered the room.
"I had a strange encounter with my colonel a short while ago, and I came to confirm the well being of Miss Charlotte Heywood. Is she here?"
"Yes, she is here. But she is anything but well! Your colonel assaulted her at the ball tonight!" Alison exclaimed tearfully.
The captain eyes widened, his face paled. Georgiana thought he looked as if he would be ill. "I had hoped his comment was a poor attempt at a joke, but unfortunately my instincts were correct," he said sadly.
"I think you should sit down, Captain," Mr. Colbourne demanded, with a tone in his voice that told Georgiana that he, despite his tender feelings for Charlotte, would be a man one did not want as an enemy. "We all have much to discuss."
