On December 1st a letter arrived from Lord Peacham. He invited James to come to Landsdowne to consult about enhancing the East Wing, and stay for the holiday. Sir Edgar had always found Christmas to be less than joyful, no matter how hard he tried.
He remembered James had mentioned he also had no family so this year Lord Peacham hoped to improve the season by opening his home to an orphan, holding a ball, throwing a party for the Heywoods and unveiling a surprise. This year would be different. .
James was surprised and flattered Sir Edgar remembered his suggestion. This would give him an opportunity to develop a client as well as see Charlotte again. His whole body hardened at the thought of her softness.
It was time he bought new clothes. He had grown throughout the rebuilding as he was doing more heavy lifting than before. He rolled up his sleeves and went at it with gusto, enjoying the activity as a distraction. But now his clothes were ill fitting and well worn. He couldn't be seen by Royalty looking like that. He was coming into his bonus and would consult with Mrs Mary Parker, visit the taylor, the barber and the jeweler before he left the following week.
James returned to Willingden on the post with a valise full of new shirts and pants, vests, cravats and coats. He also had gifts for the Heywood children from the Parker children.
He was looking sharp with his close cropped hair, long sideburns and high collar. He still had one unruly curl in the front that seemed to never cooperate but he tried his best. He hoped Charlotte would notice his improvement and approve.
Charlotte was excited by the prospect of having James within the neighborhood for the holiday. She longed for his company, his arms, his lips. His absence had left a hole in her heart, almost as big as the one Sidney had created and although she had been able to write to James about developments in Wilingden, his time was limited and his letters were short and sweet. The only thing that kept them interesting was the closing. All of my Love, James.
James arrived just as the snow began to fall. It was a light snow: a celebratory, confetti of cold flake. The coach stopped at the foot of the hill. Landsdowne lay like a sort of frosted cake atop the flat plateau. A white tablecloth of snow presented a fountain encased in ice like an elaborate centerpiece. James was breathless with excitement.
He was shown into the house by way of the front door as was fitting for an invited guest. Preston, the head butler barked directions to the lazy footmen. The cavernous entry glowed gold in a warm flicker as the blazing hearths cast yellow against the white marble staircase.
"A pleasure to meet you again, Sir. Allow me to take your coat and hat. Mrs. Kinsley will show you around. If you are in need of anything do not hesitate to ring the bell."
After a long tour led by the housekeeper, where she spelled out, in detail, the rules and regulations which accompanied a stay at Landsdowne, James was shown his room in the lavish West wing. Just as he was opening his case to unpack, he heard a knock at his door.
"Please come in."
"Mr. Stringer? I am called Harper and I am a valet in training here to assist you in whatever you may need during your stay."
James couldn't help but smile at his adolescent servant.
"I am grateful for your help. Harper is it? You can show me how this fancy world works as I am completely new to having a valet."
Harper grinned but quickly caught himself. He cleared his throat and began helping James unpack his bags. "Certainly, sir. I might mention that there is a ball next week and your shoes need attention. If there is anything to darn, I can send it to the sewing room. I will be tasked with drawing your baths, shaving and dressing you in the morning and evening. I will keep your clothes fresh and mended." James watched Harpers' lanky arms, gangly hands and huge feet and surmised he couldn't have been more than fifteen years of age.
"I just had a few new pieces made recently, do you think they will do?" James was curious what Harper thought of his dinner attire?
"I think it looks very fine, " Harper scrutinized the sleeves as James sat down to remove his new travel boots. His feet were in blisters as he had not worn them in yet. "Allow me to bring the foot bath in for a soak."
James slipped his bloodied feet into the hot tub with epsom salt and lavender. He leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling. All of the pain would be worth it soon he would see Miss Charlotte Heywood. He let his mind wander over to the next estate, imagining her sitting at the desk in her attic aerie. What might she be doing at that very minute?
At Heywood Hill, Charlotte was indeed sitting at the desk in her attic, staring out at the snow and writing a letter to be delivered to Landsdowne, post haste.
"Dear, dear, dear James,
Maggie and Toby have announced that the coach has just passed the farm and I know you are aboard. They were sad that you did not wave to them but we imagine you have your reasons for not obliging.
I can not be still knowing you are less than three miles from where I am sitting. I look around my room remembering how safe and comforted I felt last you visited. Sometimes I imagine you are still holding me. Other times I think I see you by the window looking up at the moon.
Do not be long. The whole clan is eagerly anticipating your visit. And I, more than the rest.
Your most devoted,
Charlotte
She kissed the center of the letter, blotting the ink with her lips, folded it, spritzed it with violet water.
"Henry!" She called down the staircase. "Please take this letter with you when you visit Landsdowne!"
Back at Sir Edgars, Harper put the finishing touch on James' dinner cravat and showed him to the dining room. It was an enormous, church-like, space with a high timber framed ceiling and an impossibly long table. Sir Edgar sat at the far end near the fire and James was set to sit at his right.
"Hello, Mr. James Stringer. So, how was your journey? Comfortable I hope?"
"Yes, very, Sir Edgar, I thank you very much."
"Capital. Let's eat!"
The two discussed how the rest of the week was planned and talked about the East Wing and it's assets and liabilities. James took out his note pad and recorded some instructions. After dinner, they wandered the wing, looking behind doors, taking estimated measures and sharing their visions.
Later that evening, Henry Heywood arrived to greet his old friend and deliver the letter from Charlotte. The Gentlemen shared some brandy in the Billiard Room and they agreed to play a game. The wager was small but plenty for the young men to accommodate.
"I hope you are prepared for the Ball, Mr. Stringer. I hear all of the ladies in Willingden are looking forward to dancing with you." The Lord of Landsdowne gave James an amused smile as he twisted his new moustache.
"I am here to oblige, Sir Edgar but there is only one young lady in the neighborhood I long to see." He focused on sinking the five ball.
"And would that be the comely Miss Charlotte Heywood?" His lordship asked.
"Indeed." He smiled as he sank his ball with a thud.
"May I ask what your intentions are?" Henry's voice was that of their father and it gave James a start.
"My intention, Mr. Heywood, is to woo her, and win her and wisk her off to London to become my partner in business and in life. Heywood-Stringer and Sons Architects." He used his hand to demonstrate what the sign above the building would look like. It had been his fondest dream.
"My, my you are ambitious." Sir Edgar lined up his shot.
"...And bold." Henry added with a raised eyebrow and a smile.
"And a fool if I think she would ever accept me."
"But she seems very attached to you." Henry noted.
"She had been on the verge of matrimony to someone else in Sanditon last Summer. I competed with this gentlemen and lost. But it was never much of a contest. He is a rich exporter and I am a foreman. "
"That explains my sister's state when she arrived back home. She was very poorly."
" Aye. An unfortunate accident, a fire, took my father's life and, because Mr. Tom Parker didn't insure the building, it ruined the Parker family and their investors. The only way to save his family was for Mr. Sidney Parker to marry the wealthy widow, Mrs. Eliza Campion.."
"Eliza Campion, you say? That is a coincidence. I knew her husband Colonel Campion well. We went to Cambridge at the same time. Capitol fellow really. I had heard his wife was very beautiful and accomplished." Sir Edgar was amazed that they shared an acquaintance.
"That is the general opinion. Oddly enough, Mr. Sidney Parker and Mrs. Campion had been engaged years before. But she had left him for your friend. Now she is widowed and they are betrothed."
"That's a sordid tale for my sister. No wonder she never talked about it."
"Indeed. I could never understand what she saw in him. I watched Sidney Parker verbally abuse Charlotte, in public, over and over. She always held her ground and never lost her spirit. Why she ever cared about his good opinion is beyond me but then again, we don't chose who we fall in love with. It's an affliction, so they say."
"Are you afflicted, now?" Asked Sir Edgar.
"I have been for quite a while. From the moment I set eyes on Charlotte." He smiled and shrugged. "I hope you don't mind my asking but why are you not married, Sir Edgar?"
"Something traumatic happened to the girl I loved when I was a very young lad. She was taken from me and I still hold her memory very close to my heart. I was only sixteen. I escaped to Christ Church and studied divinity so I wouldn't need to face the world. After which I set forth to revive Landsdowne. I guess I should get on with my love life. I am a bit rusty." He gave an impish smile and hit the green ball into the side pocket.
"Let's have a little port before retiring, shall we."