An in-between-the-scenes one-shot that expands on the Heybourne interactions between two scenes shown in Season 2 Episode 3 - Alexander Colbourne thanking Charlotte Heywood for calming down his horse and the both of them getting caught in the rain while looking for Leonora. This is my first venture into the world of fanfiction. I appreciate anyone reading this story. Thank you!
"Indeed. Where are they now anyway?" he asked.
She hesitated, wondering if she would be chastised for Leo running away from her French lessons. Mr. Colbourne did not seem surprised. He smiled, "I think it's only fair I help you find your charge, now that you have helped me calm my horse." Without waiting for a response, he strode on, and Charlotte joined him.
She couldn't help but notice how much more handsome he looked when he smiled. Surprising how she had never seen it before. She felt she had been offered a glimpse of another side of the grumpy Mr. Colbourne. Now he was here, walking with her, might as well find out more.
"How long have you owned Hannibal?" she asked.
"Since he was a colt, and I was a boy. We grew up together in this land." She could tell he loved Hannibal. His face lit up when he spoke of his horse. She knew that people who were lonely often turned to animals for love and company. Was that the case here? She hadn't really seen him interact with anyone other than the girls, his staff, and the tenants.
"Have you always been around horses?" He surprised her by asking a question of his own.
"Ah, yes. My father keeps horses, apart from pigs, cows, and chickens on his farm. He made sure he taught us all about the farm and livestock as part of our education". He chuckled, "He must be a very interesting man."
"Because he chose to educate young women?" she smiled back. "Maybe so. He believes that education always comes in handy, irrespective of the sex. That is why he taught us about horses and pigs, but also encouraged us to read mythology, politics, philosophy, poetry – Heraclitus, Keats, Cowper, Milton, Wollstonecraft, Frances Burney, Walter Scott, Shakespeare. There was never a lack of books for those of us that wanted to read."
She turned to catch Mr. Colbourne looking at her with a strange expression on his face. She knew most men didn't favor the education of women. But she wouldn't cower. She stiffened her back as she said, "Do I gather that you disapprove of his practice?"
He realized he was staring and looked away quickly. "On the contrary. But I cannot say I am surprised, given our first meeting. I suppose I am impressed," he conceded. Charlotte blushed, taken aback but pleased. Neither spoke for a few minutes, as they walked on, through fields and by some tenant holdings.
"I must admit, meeting you, Miss Heywood, made me see the value in educating Leonora differently," he resumed.
"I suppose before Augusta, Leo must have been rather lonely," she paused, wondering if he would take offense. "I, myself, have 11 siblings and feel very lucky to have grown up in a large family."
He seemed to consider this before he spoke. "I suppose I never stopped to consider Leonora's childhood from that perspective. While I did not have as many siblings as you, Miss Heywood, I did have my brother. For most of my childhood he seemed like the only ally I had, apart from Mrs. Wheatley, of course."
"What is his name?"
"Samuel. He is a successful barrister in London. We were inseparable during our childhood. Our governess, you have heard me speak of. Our father…well, he was not a man who showed much affection. We spent as much time as we could outdoors and explored these grounds thoroughly."
Charlotte looked around and sighed, imagining two kids running away from their governess' leather belt. Her heart ached a little for the young boys. "These are wonderful grounds to explore. My father taught me and my sister to hunt along with the boys. We spent most of our childhood outdoors as well, even if for different reasons. I cannot see myself living anywhere but in the country now."
He was pleased to hear her say that, but why, he could not tell. "I am rather inclined to agree," he said smiling.
They fell into a companionable silence as they walked through a beautiful meadow sprinkled with summer wildflowers. She realized she was enjoying Mr. Colbourne's company more than she had ever expected. Could Tom be mistaken in his opinion about him? Could the rumors of his wife's death carry any truth? She had seen him play with Luna on multiple occasions during the last three weeks she had been employed at Heyrick Park. She had seen him soothe Hannibal this very morning. She loved animals too. She truly believed any man who would care for his animals so deeply could not be cruel. But he seemed to treat the girls with so little affection. Augusta's words from this morning resonated in her ears, as she realized there could be an ember of truth in what she said.
It had started to rain now. She had seen the clouds roll in, but had hardly paid them any attention, her mind full of this man next to her and their conversation. "Here, Miss Heywood," he said as he took off his jacket and handed it to her.
"This way." He quickly guided them towards a grove of trees that were nearby without waiting to hear her thanks. The rain began falling faster as they took cover under the trees. He was looking up in the trees for any sign of Leo. "I suggest you go back to the house, Miss Heywood," he said. "There is no need to stay out here."
He stood looking out the window in his study as the daylight faded away. He had enjoyed his walk about the grounds with Miss Heywood more than he should have. But then, she had needed his assistance in locating Leo. What was he to do, abandon her while she looked for his wayward child? This feeling of peace and content must stem from being outdoors again, like he used to as a child. That must be it. Did he really think of the girls as his burden? Surely, they could not help the predicament they found themselves in. Was Miss Heywood right? Why did he care what she thought anyway? She was but one in a long line of governesses who had graced the doors of Heyrick Park. His heart beat a little faster when he remembered her smiling at him. Maybe he could do better with the girls. Maybe he could spend some time with them. Maybe then she would smile at him again. Whatever was the matter with him? Had he been lonely for so long that a little attention from a beautiful woman turned him into a nervous lad of eighteen again? Did he just think of his governess as beautiful? Surely, there was no shame in calling a woman a beauty if that were the case. He would put his morning walk and his engaging governess out of his mind and return to his books. He was the master of the estate. There was much work to be done, indeed.