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As guests at Lady Denham's garden party played croquet, Mr Colbourne stood alone examining one of his hands intently. A relieved look flashed across his face as Charlotte came to stand nearby.
"Miss Heywood, you seem perturbed".
Charlotte moved to stand beside him, glancing between Mr Colbourne and the game of croquet. Turning towards him, she shared her frustrations. "My sister will not listen to reason. If she finds the truth inconvenient, she just disregards it".
Mr Colbourne gazed out ahead of him "Well in my experience, a young women's opinion once formed is very hard to alter". He looked down at Charlotte, and she smiled and nodded to let Mr Colbourne know she understood what he meant.
Mr Colbourne removed his top hat, glanced around and exhaled "Its been a decade since I found myself at an occasion such as this. I fear I have lost whatever social graces I once owned."
Charlotte looked at Mr Colbourne with dawning understanding, realising that he was unsure rather than judgemental.
Mr Colbourne's eyes met hers. "Perhaps you can remind me how to hold a conversation".
She glanced down, smiling. "I thought you had employed me to teach the girls Mr Colbourne, not you". He grinned at her and they held each other's gaze for a long moment.
"Well", Charlotte said, smiling down at her hands and then looking sideways at Mr Coulbourn. "If you were going to instigate a conversation, you might consider what you know about me and my recent diversions. For example, you could ask me if I enjoyed the outdoor picnic with Miss Markham and Miss Colbourne the other day". She smiled at him, to indicate that she was teasing.
Mr Coulburn grinned back. "Well" he said. Shuffling his hat from one hand to the other. "Did you enjoy the picnic with Leonora and Augusta?" His voice had an uncertain lilt to it.
Charlotte's face lit up as though hearing the question for the first time "Oh yes!" she beamed, "the estate grounds are so beautiful and I could tell that Leo and Augusta had a wonderful time. They really appreciated that you joined us you know, they love your company".
They looked at each other and she wanted to tell him that she loved his company too, that seeing him relaxed and having fun with the girls made her see a different side to him. That she had a dream that night of the four of them picnicing and that, in her dream, Leo and Augusta vanished and it was just the two of them. Mr Colbourne had given her cornflowers and gazed at her lovingly, telling her he needed her in his life forever. However, as that would be inappropriate to share, she stayed silent.
Mr Colbourne nodded "I enjoy their company as well". His eyes searched for hers. "Thank you for encouraging me to spend more time with them, I can see it benefits them and me".
He paused, his gaze moving between her face and his hat. "I think sometimes I am too obsorbed in making sure Heyrick Park runs correctly". He looked at her again. "I was young when my father died and I felt inequipped to be master of such a great estate, so I worked incredibly hard to make sure everything ran smoothly".
His eyes went back to the hat, clasped tightly in his hands. Mr Colbourne inhaled sharply and words tumbled out of his mouth. "Since I inherited Heyrick Park I have found it difficult to leave it for long. I also have a house in London, but I have spent almost no time there. At first I had to stay to meet with all my tenants and discuss their requirements. Some buildings had fallen into disrepair in the last few decades of my father's life and I was determined that they be fixed promptly. Some of the farmers asked me to improve conditions for their livestock and, well I won't bore you with all of it, but there was a lot to do".
Mr Colbourne took a deep breath. "I was determined to prove, to myself as much as anyone else, that I could be the master of an estate, look after the people that work for me and do it well". He looked at her. "I am aware how privelidged I am to inherit Heyrick Park. I'm not complaining. I know that I am very lucky to be in the position I am, I imagine it must be frustrating to be a woman and not even have the option of inheriting, or to be from a less wealthy family".
Charlotte nodded, pleased that he recognised the difficulty of her situation.
Mr Colbourne stood up straight. "It has been 10 years now and the estate is running well. I can spare some afternoons to spend time with Leo and Augusta. I will try to change my mindset and make more of an effort with them".
Charlotte saw determination on the soft planes of Mr Coulbourn's face. "It must be lonely" she said "running an estate on your own".
Mr Colbourne looked down at her, a wistful expression coming over his features. "Yes, it can be" he nodded. "I didn't realise I was lonely for a long time". He paused and Charlotte felt honoured that he was comfortable opening up to her.
Mr Colbourne surveyed the croquet game going on in front of them. "I am less lonely now that Augusta is at Heyrick Park and Leo is older". He avoided eye contact with her as he continued "and certainly less since you came to work for me". He looked down, running his thumb along the rim of the hat.
Charlotte felt a flush of pleasure at the words and smiled at Mr Colbourne. "That is good to hear. I have valued our conversations and enjoy the company of you and the girls very much".
Mr Colbourne glanced at her before his eyes returned quickly to where Georgiana was hitting the croquet ball. He looked pleased but did not speak.
Charlotte remembered his earlier request. "Now, Mr Colbourne, you provided the previous conversation starter so it must now be my turn". She grinned as he chuckled softly and turned back to her.
"I might consider what I know about you, so I reflect back on our past interactions and remember that we have a mutual interest in horses". Charlotte tilted her head towards him, still smiling. She forced her mind to focus on their conversation from a few days earlier, rather than the memory of how handsome Mr Colbourne looked as he tried to soothe the panicked horse.
"Have you had horses your whole life?" she asked. "Hannibal is very handsome" she added, lifting her chin to study his face as he prepared to respond.
"Yes", replied Mr Colbourne. "I have ridden horses since I was a small boy". He looked calm, as though the topic put him at ease.
"I was given my first horse when I was 10" he smiled, his left hand dropping to his side, the hat still clasped in his fingers. "It was a gift from my mother and our stable master Mr Ferguson helped me look after her".
Mr Colbourne watched Arthur make an impressive croquet shot and continued. "I named her Elizabeth". He smiled shyly at Charlotte. "I was obsessed with kings and queens as a child and Elizabeth was my favourite. A warrier queen. I loved reading about the battle strategies and the decisions she made".
Charlotte beamed up at him, enjoying how warm and loquacious My Colbourne became in his excitement.
"My mother had red hair. She used to dress up as Queen Elizabeth and pretend to knight me". Mr Colbourne continued. "Sir Alexander of Sanditon" he laughed, making a swishing motion with his hand to indicate a sword tapping his shoulders.
"We would play a game where I was her General and we were divising battle strategies". Mr Colbourne's smile faded slightly and he looked around quickly, as though remembering where they were.
The grin on Charlotte's face widened. "How wonderful" she said "it sounds like you and your mother were close".
Charlotte watched Mr Colbourne's face as he nodded. "Yes, I suppose so". He paused. "I haven't spoken about her for a long time".
Mr Colbourne cleared his throat, glancing at the guests near them. "Miss Heywood..."
Suddenly Augusta appeared at their side. "Uncle, Miss Heywood, would you like to join us for the final game of croquet? Apparently the archery competition will commence soon".