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Charlotte looked up from her book at the sound of the door from the rear of the house, near the kitchen slam. Alexander was due back, and she hoped the door was not an indication of his mood.
Her eyes were already on the doorway as he entered the room, gifting her with a smile.
“I heard the door slam,” she offered without preamble.
“Ah… the wind caught it I think… or my boot,” he grinned sheepishly.
Obviously, his boot… she surmised, with a chuckle to herself.
“I am glad it is not a dark mood then,” she continued. “We are due at the Parkers for dinner this evening you remember.”
Alexander winced at the thought. Although they had an amicable relationship with the Parkers – all due to Charlotte of course – the thought of spending social hours with Tom Parker rather than only business hours with him was not a choice he would prefer to make.
“Can we…”
“No, we cannot,” Charlotte replied, marking her page and closing the book.
He dropped his head in defeat like a petulant child.
“Alexander Colbourne… I will not accept that look upon your face,” she chided.
Another sheepish grin, “Of course my love, I apologise.”
She sighed and held her hand out to him to sit with her on the settee. He took it and collapsed heavily beside her.
“And if you whine like Leonora when she doesn’t get her way, I will send you to our room,” she continued.
“At least I wouldn’t have to go to the dinner at the Parkers then,” he offered with a smirk.
“Oh, you are impossible sometimes, Xander!” she shook her head with a light laugh. “What will I do with you.”
“I have some suggestions,” he replied cheekily as he dropped his head to her shoulder.
“We don’t have time for any of that,” she laughed openly now. “But tell me how today went before we go upstairs and get ready.”
“We could multi-task,” he continued.
“Alexander…”
The use of his full Christian name rather than the abbreviation drew him out of his more lustful thoughts and back to her initial question.
“The last of the books for the natural history and botany area arrived today and have been shelved. You made some wonderful choices my love… the colour plates in Woodville’s Medical Botany are quite stunning and the exotic plants, are fascinating. I am sure it will be a popular book however Dr. Fuchs may not be impressed if the locals try and heal themselves,” he chuckled.
She grinned knowingly, “How much unpacking and shelving was carried out in comparison to reading and perusing?”
“The work has all been done, there is nothing left unattended before the opening,” he replied evenly, without committing an actual answer to her question. He knew which way the scale was balanced in such matters. And he also knew, she would not have posed such a question in the first instance, had she not known the truth of the matter.
“Hmm…” she replied, giving herself away, just as he thought.
“Come now… we need to get ready, I thi-”
“Mama… Mama…”
Their cheery cherub chose that moment to toddle into the room, closely supervised by Augusta following behind in case she found a random object to taste test or trip on the stairs.
She let out a squeal and happily clapped her chubby fingers, “Da… Da…”
Alexander prized himself off the settee and stepped swiftly over and scooped her up, sending forth another burst of high pitch jubilation from the child as he spun around with her in his arms.
“Hello, my little Princess,” he laughed, kissing her dramatically on the cheek. “Have you had a lovely day?”
She babbled nonsensically and smacked her hands on his cheeks.
“Oh sounds wonderful,” he responded with a grin, as he turned back to Charlotte who was still sitting down. “Do we really have to go, my love? I know where I would much rather spend my evening.”
Charlotte sighed and stood. “Yes, we do. It is one evening… one. I am sure Augusta and Leo and if need be if she is being difficult, Mrs. Wheatley… can cope with Sarah.”
“She will be fine Uncle. It is not as if I have not looked after her before,” Augusta offered with a level of sternness that almost mirrored Charlotte’s own tone. “Although it is not often you have gone anywhere together since she was born.”
“Yes, perhaps… we haven’t really,” Alexander offered, he really did much prefer the confines of home, however, that wasn’t necessarily fair to Charlotte to enforce his wants so much on her. He handed Sarah over to Augusta, who was also gifted several not-so-placid pats to her face.
“Oww… gentle… you don’t want to hurt Gaa do you?” Augusta cooed and feigned a pout.
The child now ran the palm of one hand gently down Augusta’s cheek. “Gaa… Gaa…”
“That’s better,” Augusta smiled.
“You be good for Augusta little one,” Charlotte said sweetly as she reached them, running the back of a finger down her daughter's cheek and then kissing her.
“Mumma…” she stretched her arms out.
“Oh no… come now… shall we go see what is for dinner?” Augusta attempted to distract her.
“Mmm…” which was followed by another squeal and hungry eyes at the mention of dinner.
Augusta laughed as she headed out of the room before her little cousin changed her mind about wanting her parents, “Yes, let’s go see what is for Mmm…”
With Augusta disappearing out the door towards the kitchen, Charlotte gave Alexander a gentle shove which was met with a good-natured eye roll before he took her hand and they headed for the stairs.
*
Dinner at Trafalgar House was a lively affair, all the more so with Arthur in attendance having returned earlier in the day with the specially acquired carton of books on loan from several benefactors’ private collections at the Kew Gardens for the new library, courtesy of Lady Susan and her connections within the city. Lady Susan was more than happy to help Charlotte and Alexander in any way possible with their endeavours.
As the last of the sweets dishes were placed on the table, Tom Parker tapped a spoon to his glass and stood to silence the chatter around the table.
“Thank you. As you well know, Sanditon has been a dream of mine…”
“We know Tom…” interjected Arthur swiftly with a bubbly chuckle, more than happy to fill Sidney’s role of keeping Tom to the point. “You are preaching to the choir, dear brother. Perhaps an abridged version so that we may enjoy the rest of the dinner?”
“Hmm… yes, quite right, thank you, Arthur. I am not the only man who seems to have a dream for Sanditon. I must say we have not always been in agreement on some matters, but when Mr. Colbourne approached me with the idea to build and establish a public library in Sanditon…”
“I must say the idea was Mrs. Colbourne’s,” Alexander interrupted.
“Yes, I hardly find that surprising at all,” Tom smiled affectionately at Charlotte. “Be that as it may, Mr. Colbourne with your investment in the project and the formation of the Sanditon Library and Literary Committee – who sit amongst us here tonight, and with the grand opening due now in two days… in appreciation, we will be unveiling… Arthur… where is it?”
“Oh… oh… here brother,” Arthur said excitedly, jumping from his seat and quickly stepping over to a half-wrapped package on a side table and taking it back to Tom.
“Thank you brother,” Tom grinned, unwrapping the paper and holding up a brass plaque, dedicated to Alexander Colbourne for the establishment of the library and the officiating date of the opening of the building. “This will be mounted on the wall at the entrance of the new building and Mr. Colbourne, we will be honoured for you to make the opening address and cut the ribbon.”
A round of applause sprung from all around the table and Alexander felt Charlotte squeeze his fingers, drawing him to her beaming face.
“I am so proud of you my love,” she whispered, leaning close to his ear.
Alexander, stood, still holding Charlotte’s hand and nodded his thanks.
“I’m overwhelmed, this would be… an honour,” he smiled, an embarrassed blush creeping across his face, his words almost drowned out by the applause from those around the table. “Thank you all for your tireless work on this project. I could not, however, have achieved anything without my beautiful wife by my side,” he added before taking his seat again.
The dinner continued with the final course and concluded shortly after with the call for the ladies to retire to the parlour and the men to the drawing room.
Charlotte, being intimately familiar with the Parker residence, discretely and silently took Alexander's arm after they stood and led him back down the main hall, away from both designated rooms. They quietly stepped past the door to the scullery and kitchen and slipped out the rear door and down the steps to the back lawn.
“Did you know anything about it? The dedication and the offer to open the library? I really believe all the credit needs to go to you my love, not I. After all, it was your idea,” Alexander gently whispered, pulling Charlotte into his arms, and wrapping them around her waist.
“A public building would never be credited to a woman unless she were royalty or it was posthumously… the library may have been my vision, but it is due to your investment and hard work on the project,” she stated succinctly. “I am thrilled. You have sacrificed your time with us during the initial building phase, spent so many hours researching and helping me procure the books required and then so integral to the final staging of all the works… You my husband deserve every credit perceived and more.”
“I know you would have been equal in the task and exertion in its establishment had you not been predisposed,” he said softly, knowing how much she relished the role as a mother to their own babe as much as to Leonora, but also aware how it had now curtailed so many of her other passions and pursuits.
“If it was not for you, a proper library would never have come to fruition,” Charlotte smiled up at him, noting he was likely to become emotional – something he hated showing in front of anyone but her, so the reason she took his arm and away from the group for a private moment.
He tipped his head, close to her ear, “No my love… if it wasn’t for you, I would never have the want. Your love of books and education… it was my inspiration to help you share that with as many people as possible,” Alexander countered.
“And you inspire me. I will be right beside you at the grand opening. I know your dislike of being the centre of attention,” she smiled before stepping back and up a step to level their height so she could place a gentle kiss on his lips.
Alexander groaned at the realisation that he would have to make a speech in front of all those attending. While he had grown comfortable chairing meetings with the Sanditon Library and Literary Committee, public speaking was a whole different challenge.
Charlotte was already prepared for this anxiety. She had been informed months ago about the dedication and grand opening – it having been decided by the rest of the committee on a rare absence – that was, Charlotte was requested to detain him so they could discuss the matter. She was happy now she would be able to ease his mind about the meeting he was very late to, as he felt he had exhibited the most appalling of bad manners. She placed her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him, revelling in the warmth of his body close to hers – knowing this discussion of mutual admiration could continue in circles for infinity.
“How long are we expected to stay, my love? I long to show you what other things you inspire in me,” he murmured in her ear, nipping on her earlobe trying to avoid the dainty adornment it held.
She grinned and took another step up towards the door, looking down at his eyes. “I know you do not partake in whiskey or cigars… so if you wish to make a presence in the drawing room for a brief moment, I am more than happy to feign malaise and the need to go home.”
He ran a hand across the slight bump hidden under her gown that was not yet showing to anyone who saw her clothed, but he however was aware of its presence.
“You are well though… it will only be pretence?” he asked with a shadow of concern.
“Yes, my love, only a charade. Now come, back inside… the sooner we return, the sooner we can leave,” she grinned, now tugging on his hand as she headed back towards the door.
“Please do not be too long, Charlotte. The Drawing room conjures up mixed memories for me,” he stated, pulling back on her hand slightly.
She turned and kissed him. “Perhaps try and remember our meeting in there after I returned, rather than the one prior to my departure. I too have many memories in that room, and the one, when we reunited, is the memory I choose to focus on and cherish.”
“You are wise my love… but you are not concerned that your want to go home may create suspicion?” he questioned thoughtfully.
Charlotte grinned back. “I do believe Mary already has an inkling, although she would never say anything aloud in company. It will however be a perfect ruse later when our joy is known as to why we have departed early tonight.”
“You will help me with my speech for the opening?” he asked, tugging back on her hand.
“Of course, although it will not be tonight. There are other words I long to hear from your mouth my love,” she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Alexander's breath caught at her forwardness, she still managed to have that effect on him.
“Do we even need to make our farewells? Could we not just…”
Charlotte chuckled loudly, drawing attention from Sadie in the kitchen as they walked back past the doorway. “No… you are the man of the moment. They will certainly notice your absence. I promise I will not be long,” she offered with a quick kiss.
Alexander squeezed her fingers and raised her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles gently.
“You are the love of my life,” he offered sincerely.
“And you mine.”