Chapter Ten: Important Conversations
Alexander and the girls arrived at Heywood Manor the following day. He was concerned about the conversation that he needed to have with Charlotte's father. As a father himself, he might not be too pleased if Leo or Augusta had chosen a man with a past and with two children already. Ralph Starling came with neither, so Alexander did not anticipate his conversation with Mr. Heywood to be an easy one, especially since he was the man who had broken Charlotte's heart.
The Colbourne carriage pulled up in front of Heywood Manor before lunch, and several of Charlotte's siblings, who were playing out in the yard, came to see who was visiting. Charlotte came through the front door and walked over to greet them.
Alexander got out of the carriage and greeted Charlotte, then helped his daughter and niece out. Charlotte introduced Augusta and Leo to her younger siblings, and it was not two minutes before Leo was running into the fields with Charlotte's nine-year old twin sisters, Caroline and Catherine. Rachel, Charlotte's nineteen-year-old sister took Augusta by the hand and asked her if she wanted to see her room. The two girls headed into the house, leaving Charlotte and Alexander alone.
Alexander wanted to be able to take her in his arms, but he did not have that right yet, and things had to be done properly this time.
Charlotte said, "Welcome to Heywood Manor, Mr. Colbourne. Please come inside and meet the rest of my family. Alison and Declan will be here shortly for lunch."
"I look forward to meeting everyone, Miss Heywood." Alexander allowed Charlotte to lead him into the house, and when she stopped to open the door, he took her hand in his for a moment. He was rewarded with a reassuring smile.
"My father is a kind man, but I am his eldest and I am going against his wishes, but I am sure all will be well, Mr. Colbourne."
"I am sure it will be Miss Heywood."
Once inside, he was introduced to the Heywood sons, and the rest of the girls. Next, he was introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Heywood. Charlotte looked like her mother, but her mannerisms were clearly her father's. Mr. Heywood was pleasant enough, but he had a determined set to his jaw, just like Charlotte did.
Mrs. Heywood asked Charlotte and the other girls to help her get lunch ready. Charlotte gave him one last smile, and then Alexander followed Mr. Heywood to his study.
Mr. Heywood offered tea, but Alexander declined. He wanted to have this conversation now.
Alexander cleared his throat and said, "Mr. Heywood, I love your daughter, and I want to ask for her hand in marriage."
Mr. Heywood said, "My daughter came home from Sanditon, yet again, with a broken heart. Not only that, but she also shamed our family by becoming your governess. Our women marry, they do not take employment and I am not happy about her choice in that regard."
"What do you say to that, Mr. Colbourne?"
"I am a father myself, Mr. Heywood, and I would be upset if either of them ever sought employment. It is my job, as long as I live, to provide for them. As far as Miss Heywood becoming my governess, she applied for the position, and I hired her. She was an exceptionally good governess, albeit a bit unconventional. She transformed my girls. I think we both know that Charlotte is a woman of independent spirit."
Mr. Heywood was listening thoughtfully, and said, "Yet, you sent her away…. dismissed her as your employee. It does not make sense to me, so please explain."
Alexander was prepared for this question, and he knew Mr. Heywood had every right to ask it.
"The simple truth is that I fell in love with her, and it was inappropriate for her to continue as a member of my staff."
Mr. Heywood was shrewd and knew that was not the whole story. "Go on, Colbourne."
"My first marriage was not one of love. She had an affair which produced my daughter, Leonora. She gave up on living and passed away. For the last decade, I have tormented myself because I showed her no compassion, nor pity for the situation she found herself in. I was angry, and I said things to her that were regrettable."
Mr. Heywood said, "No man should be expected to tolerate such a situation, and while it is tragic, I fail to see how it is pertinent to why you broke my daughter's heart."
Alexander did his best to explain, "Mr. Heywood, I felt I had failed my first wife as a husband, and I became a recluse after her death. I was afraid that by loving your daughter, I would also make her unhappy, as I had my wife. So, I sent her away to protect her."
Mr. Heywood said, "Do we know the same Charlotte? I am wondering because if you truly knew my daughter, you would know she communicates her feelings quite well. If you were making her unhappy, believe me, you would know it. She is not shy about saying what she thinks."
Alexander smiled and said, "No, she does not. Even when she had only worked for me a few days, she spoke her mind to me. She was quite impertinent, and when I am in the wrong, she expects an apology."
Mr. Heywood said, "I can see you do care for her, but Colbourne, you must know that you did Charlotte a terrible wrong when you treated her as you did. She explained to me that she has forgiven you, and that the two of you have communicated what you feel in your hearts for each other."
"What I need to know is have your left your past behind you or must my daughter constantly live in its shadow? Please answer me truthfully because we are speaking of my daughter's happiness."
Alexander knew where Charlotte got her forthrightness from because Mr. Heywood was not making this easy for him.
"I am sure of it, Mr. Heywood. I have put it all behind me now. Not only that, but I am now the father I need to be to Leo, and to my niece as well. Her mother was my late wife's twin sister. It was her parents' wish that the two girls be raised together since they are first cousins, and both are only children."
"Both girls are living reminders of my past, but it does not cause me angst as it once did. They are both innocent of any wrongdoing and deserve only to be loved by me. Charlotte helped me see that I was not the father I should be. In fact, she told me that there was no man on earth that she admired more than you and pointed out my faults as a parent."
Mr. Heywood smiled, and said, "You sure you want to marry her? Sounds like she thinks you are a good deal less than perfect."
"I am quite flawed, but my heart is all hers. I have never known such love as I feel for her, Mr. Heywood."
'Thank you for answering my concerns, Colbourne. One more thing, how will you provide for her?"
"I inherited Heyrick Park in Sanditon from my late father. I am the eldest of his two sons. My estate is over 1000 acres and provides a handsome annual income. Once Miss Heywood is my wife, I will have contracts drawn up to provide for her and any children we may have should I pass away before her."
Mr. Heywood asked, "Do l have your promise that you will never intentionally break her heart again?"
Alexander shook his hand and said, "You have my promise, Sir."
"Then you may ask her for her hand. I ask that you marry quickly due to her broken engagement to Mr. Starling. We must minimize the damage to her reputation and to the family standing in our small community."
Alexander said, "Out of deference to Mr. Starling, if Miss Heywood wishes, we could have the wedding at Heyrick Park."
Mr. Heywood thought it was a good idea but said they would have to speak to Charlotte about it.
Rachel and Augusta let the men know that lunch was ready, so they shook hands one last time, and the matter was settled.
Alexander was amazed by the Heywood family during lunch. With the addition of his family, as well as Alison and Declan, there were eighteen people at the table. At any given moment, there were at least three or four conversations going on. There was laughter and good-natured teasing. It was almost surreal, he thought to himself.
He could not help but compare it to mealtimes at Heyrick Park when he was a boy, when meals were eaten in silence and the atmosphere was quite formal. He far preferred how things were done with Charlotte's family.
Charlotte sat next to him, and they did converse, but her brothers were keen for him to know that she was surely a better shot than him, and in fact, the rabbit that was in the stew they were eating had been shot by her. Her brother Jacob, fifteen years old, bragged that his sister was the best shot in the family.
Charlotte quipped back at him, "Of course I am, and it is a good thing because you eat twice your share every meal."
He protested good naturedly that he did not, but everyone else agreed with Charlotte. Mr. Heywood asked them all to settle down, which they did, for about a minute. Then the teasing began anew, but this time about who was the best cricket player in the family.
If Alexander had to use one word to describe the Heywood home, he would choose the word joyful. They were a family who loved each other dearly, and who worked hard together to make their lives work. As he listened to the conversations around him, he learned that even the youngest Heywood children had chores each day.
Alexander hoped he and Charlotte would be blessed with children of their own, and Heyrick Park would become more like the Heywood home with time.
While the ladies helped their mother clear the table and wash dishes, Declan, Mr. Heywood, and the oldest boys showed Alexander around the property. The estate was 400 acres and there were several small tenant homes.
It was a beautiful estate, but not a wealthy one, from what Alexander saw. He imagined that the Heywoods, with so many mouths to feed and bodies to clothe, barely got by.
After they returned to the house, Declan told Alison that they needed to get home. Declan turned to Alexander and said, if you want to take a walk with Charlotte, we will follow behind you, at least until we get to our house, then I can promise you, some of the little ones will be not far behind. Trust me, I know. I never got a moment alone with Alison until we married.
Alexander thanked him, and was glad to finally get a moment to speak to Miss Heywood alone.
When they were finally had a bit of privacy he asked, "Miss Heywood, was it so terrible to speak to Mr. Starling about ending your engagement?"
She answered, "It was hard knowing that it was not what he wanted, and that I gave him no choice in the matter. I felt badly about that, but he was a gentleman. He seemed to want to make it easier for me, Mr. Colbourne, which speaks well of the kind of man he is."
Alexander agreed that it did.
Charlotte asked, "How did the talk go with my father, Mr. Colbourne?"
"I know now where you get your directness and your determination. You are very much your father's daughter, Miss Heywood."
"Thank you, Mr. Colbourne, and I will take that as the compliment I am sure you meant it to be."
He laughed, and said, "Of course I did, Miss Heywood. It is one of the things that attracts me to you the most."
Alison and Declan called out that they would see them later, and Charlotte looked around to see if any of her younger siblings were around, and when there was not even one in sight, she took Alexander's hand and led him down a path that was barely visible in the grass.
Just beyond the tree line, was a small lake with a few wooden benches on the bank. Charlotte explained that this lake is where all the Heywood children learned to swim and that it was a favorite picnic spot in the summers.
They took a seat on a bench.
Alexander commented that it was certainly a picturesque spot to have a picnic. He was nervous all of the sudden and cleared his throat before he stood and knelt in front of her.
Holding her hands in his, he said, 'I have never wanted anything more in my life than to be your husband, Charlotte. I love you, and just when I think I cannot love you more, I do. Will you do me the very great honor of becoming my wife?"
Charlotte smiled at this endearing man that she loved so dearly and said, "I will marry you, Alexander, and I love you, too."
Alexander took out the ring he had bought for her in London when all he had was hope and placed it on her finger. Then, he stood and held her close and she snuggled in his arms.
He pulled back and lifted her chin with his hand and bent down to kiss her. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him close. He kissed her tenderly at first, but his need for her was so great and he kissed her with more passion as he felt her respond to him.
When they pulled apart, she laid her cheek on his chest, and she could feel his heart racing. She was humbled that she could affect him so, and she felt her love for him fill her heart.
He said to her, his voice husky with emotion, "You must know that I am so sorry for sending you away. I wish I had the words to tell how much I have missed you."
Charlotte said, "My dearest Alexander, you have the words. You wrote them down and gave them to me to read. I felt your love for me with every word you wrote, and I felt your loneliness for me."
He pulled her closer and just held her. He needed her in his arms to believe that this was all really happening. The months apart had been painful ones, and he was grateful for this second chance with her.
They stood like that for a few minutes more, and then returned to the bench to talk about wedding plans.
Alexander took her hands in his and asked, "What kind of wedding do you want and when will you marry me, Charlotte?"
Charlotte smiled at him, and "I want only a simple wedding and as far as when, I would say soon. You must have opinions on the matter, Alexander. What do you want?"
Alexander replied, "I just want to be your husband, Charlotte. The banns must be read, and that means that we cannot be married until three weeks from this Sunday. So, let us set that as our date, and in consideration to your family given the circumstances, let us have the wedding at Heyrick Park. I have plenty of room to host your family. We will have a morning wedding and a wedding breakfast, and everyone can return home before nightfall.
"It sounds perfect to me, Alexander. I will have my dress made in Sanditon. Mary and Georgiana can help me with the arrangements."
"Well then, it is all settled. You will be my wife in three weeks, in Sanditon, and the wedding will be at Heyrick Park."
Charlotte looked up at this endearing man and said, "As much as I do not want to leave our secluded spot, I do not want to risk my father's ire by being alone with you too long. We better be getting back to the house."
Alexander could not resist kissing her again before they left to go back to Heywood Manor.
They were not on the path back to the house for more than a few minutes before they saw the five youngest Heywood siblings and Leo running through the fields playing chase. Alexander looked at Leo, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling with happiness, and he felt glad that among Charlotte's siblings, she would at least have playmates. She had to have been lonely all these years.
When they got to the house, Mrs. Heywood was getting the tea things ready, and Charlotte helped her carry the tray in. Rachel and Augusta were joining them.
After everyone had a steaming cup of tea in front of them, and a biscuit or two, Mrs. Heywood asked about their plans. Charlotte filled them in and told them all they had to do was attend the wedding. She had Mary and Georgiana help her with the arrangements, but she would be writing for their advice and preferences every few days.
Alexander invited them all to stay at Heyrick Park the night before and it was agreed upon.
After a very enjoyable hour of visiting, it was time for Alexander to collect his girls and go back home to Sanditon. The only question was if Charlotte was returning with them.
Charlotte asked if she could have a moment alone with her parents while Alexander went to find Leo, and he said, "Of course."
"Mother and Father, I want to return to Sanditon with Mr. Colbourne and the girls today. I have much to do for the wedding. Will that be agreeable to you?"
Mrs. Heywood hugged her eldest child and said, "Yes, my darling girl. Sanditon is your home now. We will see you in three weeks."
Mr. Heywood nodded his consent, and Charlotte went to gather her things.
The carriage was brought around, and Alexander helped everyone in. With promises of letters to be written and many hugs, they left for home.
On the way back to Sanditon, Alexander and Charlotte told the girls their news, and the girls were happy to hear it. They had made new friends today with Charlotte's siblings, and now they would all be family.
Augusta said, "I am glad you both finally realized that you are meant to be together."
Leo added, "I am happy you will be my new mother, Charlotte, but does that mean you siblings will be my brothers and sisters?"
Charlotte laughed and said, "Let's just keep it simple and say they will be your family, Leo."
When they arrived back at Sanditon, Alexander reluctantly left his Charlotte at Trafalgar House and then took his girls home to Heyrick Park.
It had been an eventful day, and after dinner, everyone retired to their room.
Alexander undressed and got ready for bed. He thought about how happy the girls were that Charlotte would be his wife. Very soon, the four of them would be a family. After spending time with the Heywood family today, Alexander had a new appreciation for what that word really meant.
Love, joy, togetherness. Words that he had never lived until he met Charlotte, and words that would find new depths of meaning with time.
Today, he had placed the ring on her finger that he had purchased so long ago when he had nothing but a glimmer of hope that she would give them a future together, a future he almost thwarted with his insecurities and self-doubts, but a future that now promised to be very dear indeed.
He ran his hand across the empty side of the bed where in just three weeks, she would sleep. He had finally been able to hold her and kiss her today, and he felt overwhelmed with how it had felt to be so close to her again. He had done things right this time, and as he had promised her father, he would never allow his past to interfere with their happiness ever again.
He had to keep that promise, for both their sakes…
It was official, and wedding plans were made. In just three short weeks, Charlotte Rose Heywood would become Mrs. Alexander Colbourne.
Love, joy, and togetherness…for the rest of their lives.