A/n: If you wish to comment on this chapter, please leave it as a guest review! Then should I need to go back to go over what was said as I'm writing I can find it all in one place! :-)

Who is ready for it to be 9 am the next day at Heyrick Park? Me! But we aren't quite there yet! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Sanditon.

A Bit More Sanditon- Chapter 3

~x~

With daylight still lingering, Colbourne decided to leisurely ride Hannibal through the streets of the town rather than returning home right away. It was not a sight he took in often due to being away or staying away of his own choice. He wanted to be among the people, the shops, the life that surrounded him. He marveled at extra details that were added to the street in terms of lamposts and posts to tie up the horses.

He steered Hannibal down the street of rental homes seeking to pass by where Georgiana's home was in case Charlotte did decide to share a home with her.

As his horse trotted down the road, he spotted a familiar site.

"Hannibal, is that my…. I believe it is."

Colbourne commanded Hannibal to halt as he came upon his carriage stopped along the side of the road in front of the visitor quarters. Recognizing his footmen, he acknowledged them with a nod of his head before hopping off Hannibal, asking the carriage driver to secure Hannibal's reins and knocking on the carriage door.

The door opened slowly with a little face and big blue eyes peeking out.

"Oh! It's father!" Leo emerged from the carriage jumping into her father's arms. "Father, what happened with Miss Heywood? Is she to be my new mother?"

Xander hugged Leo and scanned the carriage to see Samuel and Augusta in it waiting, now anxiously awaiting his answer to Leo's question.

With a hesitant nod he replied. "Miss Heywood and I have reached a new mutual understanding, with an agreement to discuss a future together."

Leo tried to follow what this meant but then merely took her cues from Augusta who shrieked and clapped her hands quickly, smiling widely.

"Did you kiss her?" Leo whispered in his ear. Colbourne's coy smile was not to be hidden. "I hoped you would," Leo said. "It's how a woman knows she is loved."

"Leo, we're going to talk about who you've been discussing such matters with! But for now, what is my family doing in my carriage?" he asked, quite perplexed.

"We're going to London, father," Leo announced enthusiastically.

"London! Certainly not!" It was a harsher reaction than anyone expected.

Samuel stood inside the carriage and maneuvered to step out. "Xander! Perhaps we should have a word alone." He placed one arm around Xander's shoulders after Leo was placed down.

Off to the side and almost out of earshot, Xander questioned what the meaning of this was.

"Did Augusta put you up to this? Samuel, why would you think you could just pack up my children and steal them away to London?"

"Now Xander, let us take a moment here. Did you or did you not go after the love of your life earlier today?"

"I did," Xander replied.

"And did she or did she not accept your intentions as honorable?"

"Presumably, she did," Xander answered.

"And do you or do you not want to spend time alone with her? Or would you rather Leonora clinging to Miss Heywood gloating over her new mother?"

Xander glanced back at a smiling Leo whose face was peeking out from behind the carriage door. He imagined that scenario in his head and how he promised to have Charlotte returned in the evenings.

"Yes, I would very much like to spend time alone with Miss Heywood," he vocalized about to continue but Samuel cut him off.

"Good. I thought that's what you might say. Lady Susan has offered for the girls to stay with her, and I shall accompany them around the familiar streets of London and return them in two days' time."

Xander realized what a precious gift his brother was offering him. Completely catching him off guard, Xander hugged Samuel. "Sam, have I mentioned that I'm indebted to you and happy to have you back in my life?"

"No Xander. It is I who is forever indebted to you. Consider this an honorable gesture in the name of family. Another one, that is. Now go act excited for those young ladies while I check on Lady Susan. I think a change of surroundings and some distance between her and Edward will do Augusta a great amount of good as well."

Xander couldn't deny how brilliant of an idea this seemed. The timing could not have been more perfect. He helped Leo back into the carriage.

"Augusta, are you of similar mind with this idea?"

"Oh yes uncle, I should love to get away and discover London under the guidance of Uncle Samuel and Lady Susan."

"And I shall like to go to a dinner party. One that kids are allowed to attend!" Leo volunteered.

"Ah, well I'm sure that Lady Susan can make that happen. I shall not interfere in your plans and only wish you a safe but exciting trip as long as you both mind your manners and respect Lady Susan and your uncle. We should have more to talk about regarding Miss Heywood upon your return."

Colbourne reached in to kiss both girls on their cheeks and bid them farewell and safety warnings just as Samuel and Lady Susan reached the carriage.

Looks of gratitude were exchanged between the three adults.

"Be tender with her heart. Charlotte is very dear to me," Lady Susan offered.

"As she is to me," both Xander and Samuel declared at the same time then laughed at each other until Xander scowled at his brother. Samuel conceded that Xander's version of what that meant was a bit more intimate as he elbowed Xander in his ribs with a hardy laugh.

The three wished each other the best of everything over the next few days and parted ways.

~x~