Disclaimer: I don't own Sanditon or its characters.

A Bit More Sanditon

Chapter 4

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Xander arrived home to an empty house with a contented heart. He thought he would miss the girls, but he had to give it to his brother and Lady Susan, chaperoning a trip to London for the girls was an exceptional idea.

"Sir, you're alone." Mrs. Wheatley glanced behind him expecting to see Miss Heywood.

"That I am, Mrs. Wheatley." He feigned a somber face.

"So then that means things did not go well with Miss Heywood?"

Xander looked down, shaking his head, then looked up at her with a wide ear-to-ear grin before he exclaimed, "On the contrary…."

He didn't even have to finish his statement before Mrs. Wheatley had clasped her hands together, praised her maker and hugged Xander.

"I knew it!" she said with excitement, the expression on her face was much different than Xander was used to seeing.

Then she straightened up, collecting herself. "Sir, I must tell you that the children …"

"Are traveling to London with my brother and Lady Susan. Yes, our paths crossed on their way out of town."

Mrs. Wheatley carefully examined his reaction to the situation, and finding no hint of anger, she offered him dinner.

"I shall take it in the study and when you bring it I shall be making a list of preparations I need done for tomorrow."

"For tomorrow, sir?"

"Yes, Miss Heywood will be here tomorrow morning. She will likely stay all day."

"Very well." Mrs. Wheatley smiled and nodded saying she would return with his meal. Xander coyly smiled before heading down the hall to his study. He immediately started a fire in the fireplace then sat at his desk to check over business transactions that came through during the day.

When Mrs. Wheatley returned with his dinner, Xander tried to determine what Charlotte's favorite foods were.

"Sir, she never had more than carrots and tea while she was here."

"My god, is that all she ever ate?" Xander was beside himself to think that she didn't eat properly or that she didn't think she was allowed more than that to eat. "Did you not offer her more than that from our kitchen while she was here? What about the day she picnicked outside with the girls? I believe I saw blackberries."

"Yes sir, I can replicate that basket. And I believe when she held etiquette lessons for the girls she had requested lemon biscuits as both part of the lesson and reward."

"Etiquette lessons?" Xander paused, thinking over the days. "I don't remember her doing those with the girls."

Mrs. Wheatley shot him a look. "I wonder why sir."

"Touché, Mrs. Wheatley. Please see to it that the same biscuits are prepared for us."

"But you don't eat lemon-flavored…" she began.

"I do now." He said firmly but gave her a quick wink.

Mrs. Wheatley pulled a small letter out of her pocket and held it up. "This came for you while you were out, sir." She walked it over to Xander at his desk.

"Read it with an open heart, sir. Whatever it says, don't let it alter your plans for tomorrow." Her words only heightened his curiosity over the note.

Taking the note, he immediately opened it, wondering why the warning. Mrs. Wheatley excused herself with a promise of a return. The note was from Miss Heywood.

Dear Mr. Colbourne,

Growing up, my father spoke often of how 'timing' could be your best friend or worst enemy. As a farmer, timing ruled our livelihood in terms of when to cultivate the soil, when to plant the seeds, and when to harvest the crops. Too early diminished the yield. Too late often produced nothing at all.

I acknowledge your plea when you asked me to stay as very real yet thwarted by my own sense of commitment. And now I must acknowledge and respect that you have since made the choice to ask Lady Lydia to make a life with you, just as I have called off my engagement to Ralph.

It is my turn now to wish you Congratulations and offer my best to the girls.

Our own timing didn't seem to work out, Mr. Colbourne. But should you have a reckoning with your heart, the way I did when I realized that my love for you would not allow me to marry Ralph, please send for me in Ireland. Mary has the information.

Always, Charlotte

"Oh my dearest, Charlotte," he muttered to himself. "What or who ever gave you the idea I had given up on you? I wouldn't have sent word to Ireland, I would have gone there myself."

Alexander mused over traveling to Ireland for her, then smiled that he did not have to make the trip.

Timing, he thought to himself. "Timing, indeed," he said out loud as he stood up and walked over to tend to the fire.

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Thank you for reading.