Pride and Prejudice 00 General Regency AU

Best Laid Plans Go Awry

Previously:

Charlotte, after a nod of permission, stood up and focused enough on the room as to exit without bumping into anyone. Hence, she missed the fact her comment had been overhear by Hayden. And she definitely, missed the fact the gentleman was now talking to Lady Smith.

Hayden's Proposal

Ch. 11

Charlotte sat in front of a dressing table and laid down her brush as she put a simple barrette into the side of her hair after she had braided her hair into one long braid. Lady Smith had come to her room after the party and asked if she minded them staying an extra day. 'I really would like to visit Mrs. Johnstone a little longer. And I am old. I doubt I will make it back up this way again' Charlotte had been amazed the woman had even asked as Lady Smith was the one paying her wage, not the other way around.

"I said it before and I will say it again, whoever called you plain needs their eyes checked." Lady Smith smiled as she stood behind Charlotte, "Now stand up and let's see how you look."

"Are you certain your friend will not mind me keeping these items." Charlotte had done her best not to be aggravated when a maid had, accidentally, grabbed her bag instead of someone else's and put it into the wrong carriage. Now, all her belongings were gone and heading to Kendal.

"We cannot have you going around undressed, can we?" Mrs. Johnstone stepped into the room. "That white shirt and blue-tartan skirt looks exceptionally well on you. Now, let us go down to breakfast. I hope you do not mind we will have two extra people at breakfast, it appears more than one of my servants are having bad days."

"Why would we mind?" Charlotte asked.

"Because it seems...let us just say all but one guest was not real receptive to our ...traditionally dressed guest. And it is his carriage that is being worked on. Therefore, they are heading out early. Nor do they wish to eat my husband's choice of breakfast."

Charlotte thought refusing to eat a meal at someone's house rude. She also questioned the type of friends this lady kept company with if they did not like someone dressed as Mr. Hayden had been considering they were in Scotland.

Soon enough the three women were sitting down with a bowl of porridge in front of Charlotte. She was pretty sure, from the books which had been read, it was traditional oats served with cream and drizzled with heather of honey. Recalling what Lady Smith had said the previous night; Charlotte ate it -with hidden reservations- but was delighted to find it tasted far better than some of the complaints she had heard from neighbors growing up.

She tried to pay attention to what was being said but sadly, her Gaelic was non-existent and one of the servants appeared to struggle speaking English, as did the other visitor, so, Master Bryce spoke a lot of Gaelic to him at the table.

However, that ended when the main course was brought out. Charlotte watched as kippers, Loren sausage, Bannocks and such were set on the table. None of the dishes she had ever eaten, or even tasted before. So, in spite of her confusion as to why anyone would leave because of the one guest, and even more puzzled as to why anyone visiting a Scottish home would not expect this type of food to be served, she ate with no complaints. However; if Charlotte had been asked she would have confessed she was happy, and somewhat relieved, when the black tea she was used to drinking was brought out and poured into a cup for her.

"So, you have been to Scotland before, Miss Charlotte?" Hayden asked figuring the lady had to have been for as easily as the Englishwoman had eaten traditional Scottish food. His eyes widened a little when Charlotte shook her head and said no, she had not. "Your mother cook Scottish foods then?" His eyes rose again when the lady shook her head no.

Lady Smith said nothing only her own eyes shot Hayden a look that shouted, 'I told you, and I do not lie'.

Later, after breakfast, Charlotte found herself sitting under a tree with her knees bent back watching lily pads floating around a small pond and then down a thin stream. The talk around the table had turned to family and it had made her feel melancholy; she had escaped as soon as she could. The lady had been so bent on making an exit, Lady Smith's silent exchange with Lord Bryce's son had been missed.

Hayden now walked down the steps and over towards the edge of the gardens. He had just enough time to take a wife and get back home to Morningside. And, if asked, the party just held? It had been his idea; the whole thing had been at test...as had others. And in one way, or another, each party had been a major flop. And this one would have been too... had it not been for the woman...no, the Lady... he could now see sitting underneath a tree.

It was those thoughts which caused him to walk over to where she was sitting and cast his shadow over her head as Charlotte turned to see where the latest lily would go. Lady Smith's young companion hurried to stand up as Mr. Bryce's shadow fell over her.

"Does Lady Smith need me?"

"You are fine." Hayden found himself looking into Charlotte's eyes; they were a lighter brown than he had ever seen. However, it was not any eye color that needed discussing, nor Mrs. Johnstone's friend, still he answered her question. "Lady Smith is fine. I came not out for that. I came for the help we can give to each other."

"I have nothing, but if there is something I can do to help you I will."

Charlotte's innocent reply made Hayden smile. However, he was not about to take advantage of her either. "I think I best explain things first before you give me your word. Let us go sit down on a bench." He extended his arm and guided Charlotte back to a bench, closer to the Johnstone's home and then began speaking.

"Lady Smith, when I asked of my own accord, said you had no home. Said it was because you turned down an offer of a marriage... Is that true?"

"Yes, my father was furious." Charlotte told him what Anne had said and then shook her head. "Maybe, she was right, only my father has never gone back on what he says. I dare not go back. Why? What is it that you want of me?"

"An heir. It would be great if it was a son, but I would not be turning my back on you if we had daughters instead. The oldest can inherit as easily as a son could..." Hayden then sighed and plowed ahead. "I do not think that will surprise you, nor the fact I am not a young man. Lady Smith said she already told you my father's and my age."

"She did and, no, I am not surprised to hear you want an heir. Why the look of concern? It is not as if you are being dishonest with me."

"Scottish marriage laws are looser than England's,' Hayden found he could not hide the uncertainty in his voice as he continued on. "I have not the time for a proper courtship or banns to be read. I have but week and a half to return home and I am a six-day journey from home at the very least. My father has decreed I be home within a month and that time is almost up." Hayden paused, his eyes searching hers for any signs of horror, when none came Lord Bryce's son continued on. "We would need to marry by handfasting. I am willing to secure a preacher, but that is the extent of our options."

"What would happen to me when you move onto the other side? I mean should I decide I wish to go back to England? You may be a baron's son, but how would I live if a member of your family decided to cause me problems?" Her reply let him know Lady Smith knew of his true identity, but Charlotte showed no sign of it being a factor in her reply. It cemented in - to him- she was a true lady.

"If the day comes, when I move on, and my family were to do that; which my younger brother might I confess; or you wish to return to England, there will be a trust fund set up in London for you. We could also, later after things settle down, renew our vows in a more formal setting. And Miss Charlotte?" Hayden went on. "You must know up front, while I do go make visits to my father's friends who sit in parliament in Scotland and, occasionally, London, I...my father..." He sighed. "...I promised if I married an English born woman neither one of us would set foot in England; other than myself when I could not get out of it... So, I fear, if your relations did ever wish to talk to you while I lived...it would need to be on Scottish soil. It is a promise I made for the sake of my invalid sister; I have made this whole search for a wife mainly for her sake, and our tenants. I hope you do not think ill of me for that, for my timeline would not have been so rushed. I hope we could learn to love each other."

Charlotte, still believing her parents had no desire to be a part of her life, asked only that she be allowed to talk to Lady Smith before giving him an answer.

Lady Smith and her friend were not far, in fact they were sitting in chairs just outside the door. "Do not put this one on me." laughed Mrs. Johnston's cousin. "He approached me, not the other way around and, Master Bryce is not a young man."

"You are getting technical."

"Lady Smith." Charlotte approaching got the two ladies to quit their hard timing. "Master Bryce just asked me to marry him in a handfasting ceremony." She did not hide why, nor what she was wanting to know. Lady Smith was not shocked; Mrs. Johnstone was appalled.

"Keep quiet, this is not a matter that involves you; Miss Charlotte is asking me my opinion." Lady Smith turned to Charlotte. "Miss Charlotte, it is none of my business who you marry. Plus..." She grinned wide. "I think- after last night- it is safe to say he has a spine and - even a whole skeleton?"

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Lady Smith promised she would send word to Anne what had occurred after she had left. "I am sorry, I cannot go where you will have the handfasting, I have no real leeway, my children are not going to be happy I did not leave right after breakfast as it is.'

Hayden and Aran rode alongside the driver, with the personal maid hired and Miss Charlotte riding in the carriage. Hayden did not wish to have any hand fasting done in the gardens of the Johnstons estates and, even if he had, Mrs. Johnstone was making her displeasure so loudly known over his request, why bother.

Therefore, it was two days later, with the morning sky shining over a beautiful garden, Hayden stood wearing traditional Scottish clothing surrounded by a few friends. His eyes took in the sight of Miss Charlotte as she walked down the steps of a simple Scottish home, wearing a simple gown of ivory muslin. Flowers had been placed in her hair. Once she was in front of him they entwined their fingers.

His friends, and a few servants of Charlotte's new personal maid's aunt and the aunt herself, all thought the couple may as well have been a giant marrying a fairy for as much taller Hayden was than Charlotte. The crisp air and the scent of the surrounding fields invited themselves to the celebration, as if giving extra eyes to an age-old sacred union.

The air is crisp, and the scent of heather lingers as the soft murmur of a nearby brook accompanies the gentle rustle of leaves. They are surrounded by a small gathering of loved ones, all bearing witness to a sacred tradition as old as the hills that cradle them.

A traveling preacher who Hayden had been blessed to come across began speaking. * In the presence of these witnesses and before the elements of earth, air, fire, and water, we come to join this man and this woman in the sacred bond of matrimony.

Ye have come here of your own free will and in the sight of this company have declared your wish to be united in the honorable estate of matrimony. Ye have given and pledged yourselves to the other and have declared the same by joining hands.

I therefore pronounce that they are now Husband and Wife. Those whom love hath joined together let no person put asunder."

The preacher spoke a few more words and the ceremony was over. Hayden sent a rider ahead with a messenger to his father and sister of the hand fasting marriage. Hayden took a hold of his bride's hand and led Charlotte up to, and into, their carriage. The couple then headed back towards Coldstream and to the Morningside Estates.