Chapter 4

The rain conspired to keep Ralph at home on the following morning. Knowing Charlotte would not ride in inclement weather, he remained in his study to address the stack of correspondence on his desk. Although he preferred to see her again and ensure he remained in her good graces, he supposed one day's separation would do him no harm.

An hour later, a footman knocked on the doorframe. "There has been an accident at the cottages, sir. Mrs Jarvis has fallen and gashed her head. Dr Grant is tending to her."

Alarmed that one of his tenants had been injured, Ralph called for his carriage and rode to the Jarvis cottage. Upon his arrival, he found a crowd of people gathered outside. A cloaked woman emerged from the front door, carrying a weeping Jarvis boy on her hip and holding the other boy's hand. When she raised her head, he was stunned to see Charlotte Heywood.

"Thank goodness you are here," she said, then offered the children an encouraging smile. "Did I not tell you that Mr Starling would see to everything?"

One boy sobbed, pressing his head into Charlotte's shoulder. The older boy wrapped his arms around Ralph and hugged him fiercely. "I didn't cry, Mr Starling," he said with misty eyes.

His heart pounding in his chest, Ralph locked eyes with Charlotte and embraced the quivering boy. Another woman might have panicked or fled under the pressure of an emergency, but she remained calm and nurturing.

"You are very brave, Jeremy," she said, reclaiming the boy's hand. "I am taking the children to a neighbour's cottage. Dr Grant is with Mrs Jarvis now," she said, then hurried away.

When Ralph entered the house, he instantly perceived dire circumstances. Mr Jarvis paced nervously while two tenant's wives industriously scrubbed the floor and piled the blood-soaked linens into a washbasin.

"What has happened to your wife?" he inquired.

Mr Jarvis raked his fingers through his dishevelled hair. "So much blood," he said in a strangled voice, then squeezed his eyes shut. "I don't know what I'll do without my Betsey."

Knowing head wounds can bleed profusely, Ralph offered comfort. "Do not give way to alarm, Mr Jarvis. Dr Grant knows exactly what to do."

Unfortunately, this did nothing to calm the man, and he continued his frenzied pacing until Dr Grant emerged from the bedroom. "You may see your wife now, Mr Jarvis," he said, then went to the sink to scrub his bloodstained hands.

"How is Mrs Jarvis?" Ralph inquired.

"She is awake although a bit lightheaded. The bleeding is under control, and the wound is dressed. It seems she fainted and hit her head on the table," he said, gesturing to the floor where the two women knelt, still tending to the stains. "I have left a draught so she may have some relief from the pain. Despite my insistence that she keep to her bed, she is worried about the children's supper and is determined to rise."

Ralph would not hear of it. "Mrs Jarvis will serve the children much better by tending to her own health. I will arrange to have meals sent from the manor house and a maid to attend the family," he said, handing the doctor clean linen to dry his hands. "What do you suppose caused her to faint?"

The doctor lowered his voice. "I suspect she is increasing. If true, she must on no account rise from her bed until she is steady on her feet." Charlotte appeared in the doorway and then knelt to assist the women in cleaning the floor. "May I depend on you to bring Miss Heywood home?" he inquired. After receiving Ralph's assurances, Dr Grant left the cottage.

The women finished their work and carried the soiled linens outside while Charlotte remained behind. "Did you come with the doctor?" Ralph inquired.

Gazing around the empty room, she nodded grimly. "My mother and I were visiting Mrs Grant when they received word of an accident at Jarvis Cottage. I came along to lend my assistance."

"Come," he said, offering his arm. "I must speak with my housekeeper about sending meals to the family for the next few days, then I will take you home."

He sat beside her as the carriage sped towards the manor house. "You were wonderful with the children," he said.

"I would have been just as worried at their age, but you took all their worries away," she said, clinging to his hand. "Mrs Jarvis will not have to worry about feeding her family while confined to her bed."

"I am certain the other tenants will also tend to the family, but I am responsible for their well-being. The family must not do without." She kept her eyes fixed on his, and he did not resist the urge to kiss her. "I can conquer the world if you are with me."

She snuggled closer. "I would like to be there when you do."

They continued sharing kisses until the carriage stopped at the kitchen door. After briefly conversing with the cook and housekeeper, they returned to the carriage for the ride to Charlotte's home. Pulling her into his lap, he kissed her thoroughly.

"How did I ever think you were boring?" she said between kisses.

Ralph laughed at this blunt assessment of him. "Shall I take this as a compliment?" he inquired but gave her no opportunity to answer. He would much rather hold her in his arms and kiss her senseless.


Despite a succession of rain, Ralph kept himself busy with estate business over the next few days, meeting with his steward, tenants, and solicitor. When the rain finally abated, he rode into the village, and the butcher's wife greeted him cheerfully. "How is your lovely fiancée?" she inquired.

He had not seen Charlotte in four days but dared not share any information. "She is as lovely as ever," he said, knowing the woman's tendency to spread gossip. Unfortunately, he had been surveying the damage and assisting with repairs from the recent heavy rain and had no opportunity to call on Charlotte.

The lady clucked her tongue. "I must say, I was surprised you allowed her out of your sight. You better put a ring on that girl's finger, or you will lose her," she said with a twittering laugh. When he offered no reply, she softened her tone. "I suppose there can be no harm in taking one last jaunt to the sea before she settles down."

Ralph's stomach clenched at this news. Charlotte must have travelled to Sanditon and had not thought it necessary to inform him. Had he misjudged her? Had she changed her mind about their betrothal? Did she still harbour hopes of reconciling with the man she knew there? Despite his rising alarm, he allowed no hint to mar his expression. "Miss Heywood has many friends in Sanditon."

On the ride home, he was convinced he was bound to lose her now that she had gone away. But he need not accept this fate. If she was free to follow her heart, so was Ralph. Should he not fight for the woman he loved? Indeed, the other man had no claim on Charlotte. Perhaps he should travel to Sanditon and reclaim her. Gregory was well able to look after the estate in his absence.

However, his brother had never overseen the harvest, the most crucial time of the year. The estate's financial security depended on a successful harvest, and Ralph could not leave such a vital task to a man with no experience. He would not be so irresponsible.

As his carriage sped down the county road towards Glendale, he stared blindly out the window. His only choice was to wait until after the harvest was complete. Unfortunately, it would probably be too late if Charlotte had still not returned by then.

Later that day, Mrs Starling entered Ralph's study with a folded paper. "This was delivered by Mrs Heywood's maid, but it must have been waylaid in the rain. I believe it was meant for you."

The direction had been hopelessly smudged, making it illegible, and the inside message was only slightly better. All Ralph could decipher was that Charlotte had indeed attempted to advise him of her trip to Sanditon; however, he still had no clear idea of when she intended to return.


Ralph was entrenched in his ledger books the following day when a knock sounded on the door. He had been expecting his steward, but instead, Charlotte entered and closed the door. Judging by her glowing smile, he doubted she would appear so cheerful if she intended to jilt him for another man. "You are back from Sanditon," he said as she approached the desk.

He rose and extended his hands to her. "Yes, just last night," she said, slipping her hands into his.

"Did anything… special happen in Sanditon?" he inquired.

Her eyes gleamed with mirth. "Indeed, Georgiana Lambe had a splendid birthday party. Lady Denham was as cross as crabs because her garden party last summer was not half as grand."

This was not precisely the information Ralph had sought, nor did he know of Lady Denham.

"Construction has begun on a new theatre, and Andrew Parker is in his glory at having his dream come to fruition."

Despite Mr Parker's charming manners, Ralph doubted he was one of the men who had captured and discarded Charlotte's heart. "Anything else?" he inquired.

"Nothing worthy of note," she said with a gleam in her eye.

He did not ask if she had seen the man who had hurt her, but from her relaxed demeanour and adoring eyes, he concluded that she had left that unfortunate episode in the past. When he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer, she leaned into him. He pressed his lips to hers, and she threaded her fingers through his hair. When he deepened his kisses, she responded with equal fervour until they were both breathless. Whispering her name, he left a trail of kisses down her neck. "When may I claim you as my own?" he said, his voice hoarse.

"Our mamas are debating that issue in the parlour right now."

"I hope they plan to advise me whatever they decide."

"I shall make certain of it," she said, offering her lips.

Holding her closer, he took full advantage of that irresistible opportunity. Although Ralph was determined to add his voice to the discussion of his wedding date, he was not ready to release his ladylove just yet.


Pacing absently, Ralph checked his watch again: ten minutes until eleven o'clock. Only one minute had passed since he had last checked the time. Charlotte would walk down the aisle in ten minutes and make him the happiest man alive. His brother Gregory was outside watching and would notify him when the Heywood carriage arrived.

"Do not fret, Mr Starling. 'Tis a rare bride who gets to her wedding on time," Vicar Robins said with a chuckle.

"That is exactly what I have told Ralph, Vicar," Mrs Starling said. "Besides, with so many children to corral, it can be no small task to get them ready with any precision."

"Just so," the vicar said with a decisive nod.

Still, Ralph could not be easy. Although Charlotte had given him every assurance that she would meet him at the church, he would not be able to draw a full breath until he placed his grandmother's ring on her hand. He patted his pocket to ensure the ring was still there and knew a moment's panic until he recalled giving it to Gregory for safekeeping.

Mrs Starling patted his arm and kissed his cheek. "Your father would be so proud of you," she said with glistening eyes. "I wish he and Frederick were here today."

His beloved father and younger brother were also in Ralph's thoughts that morning. Frederick was in the navy and could not return for the wedding; however, his two sisters and their husbands had made the journey to Willingden and were already seated inside.

Gregory entered the church with a broad smile. "The Heywoods are here. Let us escort Mama to her place." Following the vicar down the aisle, both sons escorted Mrs Starling to the front pew. Once she was seated, Ralph and Gregory took their places beside the vicar.

James, the eldest Heywood son, led his mother to her seat, followed by the remaining Heywood siblings. Mrs Parker entered with her husband and brother-in-law, and they sat directly behind the Heywood family.

Miss Lambe advanced down the aisle, wearing a silvery-blue gown and holding a small posy. As she drew near, her glowing smile and sparkling eyes indicated her approval of the match. Ralph nodded in acknowledgement, relieved that he had finally won that lady's approval.

Luminous, Charlotte appeared on her father's arm and glided down the aisle in a white lace gown, with a veil fluttering from her bonnet. She kept her focus on him, and her confident smile never faltered.

When Ralph took her hand from Mr Heywood, he silently swore that she would never be subjected to tyranny again, nor would his children ever know a moment's fear in his presence. After vowing to love and cherish Charlotte all the days of his life, he slipped the gold ring onto his wife's finger.

Keeping her hand safely ensconced in his, he inhaled deeply. It was done, and all was right with the world. Charlotte was his wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward. After all, the fates had not conspired against him, and he was the happiest man in the kingdom.


Thank you for reading my silly story. I hope you enjoyed it.


Copyright © 2022 Cassandra B. Leigh

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