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English
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Part 17 of Sidlotte September Drabbles
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Published:
2024-09-16
Updated:
2025-09-25
Words:
800
Chapters:
8/?
Comments:
82
Kudos:
142
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1
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1,391

Mrs Heywood Knows Best

Summary:

Here we go, my second effort today, so now caught up with the prompts!

I had this idea floating in my imagination for a while and the theme of Letters was the perfect opportunity. However, when I started writing, it became clear I couldn’t work it into just 100 words. So as a result, you get 2 Chapters, I'll post the next part tomorrow.

This is a possible Fix It, after Charlotte has returned to Willingden, post Season 1

Chapter 1: A Mother's Worry

Chapter Text

 

Mrs Heywood watched her Husband

Pacing outside

She sighed

A regular occurrence 

Since Charlotte returned

Sadness in her eyes 

Subdued 

She tried hiding it

But A Mother Can Tell

 

Initially, Letters from Sanditon flowed 

Charlotte ignored them

Stored unopened in her trunk

She began disappearing from the house

Preferring solitude 

Her Papa took it badly

Waiting for her to return home

 

A month before Christmas 

Mrs Heywood decided to act

She wrote to Mary Parker 

 

Two Weeks Later

Charlotte walked up the path

Stopped Suddenly

A Carriage

She recognised it, from months ago

Steeling herself, Charlotte continued into the house

 

 

 

Chapter 2: A Mother's Solution

Summary:

Thank you for the encouragement!

As promised, here is the next part, where we discover who has arrived.

And a question – I do have ideas for Letters between Mrs H & Mary Parker, what do we think??!

Chapter Text

 

Hearing voices in the Parlour

Creeping past

 

Charlotte, please greet our Guests

 

Two Visitors 

Mary and 

SIDNEY! 

 

Let us find that recipe, Mrs Parker

 

Sidney stood up

He looked thinner too

 

I apologise for any intrusion, Miss Heywood 

Mary received your Mama’s Letter

She begged me to fight 

Knowing of your unhappiness was unbearable 

The final push I needed 

To crave your forgiveness 

Vow to make amends

With your permission 

 

The Ladies return thirty minutes later

Mrs Heywood notes the delightful flush on her daughter’s face

Her hand clasped tightly in Mr Parker’s 

She smiles

A Mother Always Knows Best

 

 

Chapter 3: The First Letter

Summary:

Continuing this Drabble Story with a series of Letters exchanged between Willingden and Sanditon

Starting with the first letter that Mrs Heywood sent to Mary Parker

I can definitely imagine a few more chapters.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

Heywood Manor

 

Dear Mrs Parker,

 

I send our greetings from Willingden, Sussex (not in the Weald) and trust you are in good health.

Our eldest daughter, Charlotte, recently returned to us from her extended stay in Sanditon as your guest.

It appears to have been a most diverting experience.

However, my current concern (as a mother) is Charlotte’s wellbeing - she is most dispirited, I suspect a possible heartbreak?

I would be forever grateful for any confidences you may feel able to share as her hostess during her stay.

Charlotte is unaware of any communication between us.

 

Yours Truly,

 

Anne Heywood

 

 

Notes:

Letter writing was a key part of Regency Life, it is how we know so much about Jane Austen’s life, despite the destruction of some of them.

https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/home-and-hearth/regency-letter-writing?srsltid=AfmBOopRghxJsYoybvtgqfAIoM5kOfwCaPzgwSB44ZFVZeEHeRfxhEnd

https://randombitsoffascination.com/2022/11/15/a-touch-of-quill-and-ink-regency-letter-writing/?cn-reloaded=1

https://thelondonletters.com/blogs/news/regencylettersandhowtomakeyourown?srsltid=AfmBOoq565skwbzWsXnFMPAx7-OSo5So09K6F8a3--rIso0Jk_QmQLpB

Chapter 4: The Reply

Summary:

After such an amazing month of writing, I needed a little rest!
Thank you again to everyone who has written, read and encouraged us.
These Drabble Stories have more in store, so let’s continue.

Here is the next Letter – it’s a reply from Mary Parker

Chapter Text

 

Trafalgar House, Sanditon

 

Dear Mrs Heywood,

 

I am most grateful for your recent letter and send my regards to your family.

 

Charlotte was a most delightful guest in our home, held in great affection by all who met her. 

 

It saddens me to hear of her melancholy, especially as (in confidence) the actions of my own family are directly responsible. Please be assured that the utmost remorse is felt by a particular individual. 

 

I have written several letters to Charlotte, waiting in vain for a reply, which I confess is undeserved. She is such a brave young woman.

 

Mary Parker 

 

Chapter 5: Mrs Heywood Is Concerned

Summary:

Mary’s frankness was quite shocking, although I think she would have found it difficult to lie to Mrs Heywood, especially considering her own fondness for Charlotte and the guilt she struggled with. Plus, having to live daily with the nightmare of her husband congratulating himself.

Understandably, Mrs Heywood is wondering what on earth happened!

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

Dear Mary,

 

I appreciate your empathetic tone, but feel we have progressed past cordial politeness.

 

Charlotte continues in her despondency; Alison (her sister) has confided that letters received remain unopened.

 

Please forgive me: is there any connection between the fire we heard about and the earlier return home of our daughter? 

 

My suspicions of unrequited romance appear confirmed. Our hopes of Charlotte finding a suitable match In Sanditon are disappointed. It horrifies me to imagine Charlotte forced into servitude, such as a governess.

 

I pray that any obstacles relating to this unknown suitor may be resolved in time.

 

Anne Heywood. 

 

Notes:

We see Charlotte state at the infamous Pineapple Luncheon that she is not in Sandtion to find a husband, However, it is virtually certain that her parents allowed her to go because they had hopes that she would encounter a wider 'pool' of prospects. At the age of 22, she is on the older side of eligible young ladies and if any arrangement with a local Willingden estate had existed, she would already have been married. There is no way she would have been permitted to go to Sanditon as an engaged young lady, only in the realms of fantasy!

Also, in the fragment, she is not the eldest child and has at least one older brother. With such a large family, it would have been essential for the daughters to marry for financial security, such was the world of Austen/ Becoming a governess was a last resort and not the glamorous role it is made out to be, hence the horror of Jane Fairfax in Emma. Any suggestion that Austen would have treated her heroine so poorly is frankly, ridiculous and crosses the line into Regency Fantasy.

Background Reading which I have found useful;

Godmersham Park - Gill Hornby
My Dearest Miss Fairfax - Jeanette Watts
Jane Austen At Home - Lucy Worsley

Chapter 6: I Decided To Take A Stand

Summary:

So obviously, Mrs Heywood took the direct approach, after receiving Mary’s Letter!

This is more of a ‘bridge’ Chapter, as she waits to hear from Sanditon and considers her actions.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

 

Mrs Heywood nervously waited for a reply

 

Had she written too frankly?

Seeing Charlotte so despondent bolstered her courage 

 

Several times, Anne attempted a conversation with her daughter

It was clearly unwelcome

Preferring Solitude

With her Papa’s beloved copy of Heraclitus

 

Desperate, Mrs Heywood perused the Gossip Columns

The only interesting item: a recent Betrothal 

Which appeared to be unhappily made

 

At last, A Letter arrived

It seemed bulkier than usual

 

A separate communication was hidden inside the first

Mrs Heywood was intrigued

 

Then she caught sight of a few words Mary had written

 

I Decided To Take A Stand

 

 

           

Notes:

A Little Extra!

Mrs Heywood’s Reading Material

Dear Gentle Readers,

The Author of This Column does so appreciate a Love Story
Especially when two ‘Soulmates’ are Reunited after time apart
Such Happy News!
An Engagement and Impending Nuptials

And Yet

It seems all is not blooming in The Garden
As we know, Roses bear Thorns
Which can cause significant pain
If You’re Not Careful

Rather than Beautiful Butterflies fluttering about Our Future Bride and Groom
There appear to be Buzzing Creatures of the stinging variety
Most Puzzling

Rest Assured
We are watching further developments most carefully
Will They
Or Won’t They??

Only Time Will Tell

Chapter 7: A Confession

Summary:

Here’s the next Letter that Mrs Heywood reads

Really hoping to manage more regular updates, although that depends on a lot of other factors not in my control.

Chapter Text

 

Dear Anne,

 

My apologies for the delay, be assured I remain determined to assist you.

 

First, A Confession. In the strictest confidence.

 

My hopes for a closer connection between our families were ruined through the hubris of my husband’s actions and unwillingness to acknowledge blame.

 

Our family suddenly faced financial and social disaster. The solution meant heartbreak for two people close to my heart. 

 

I told myself it was the only way. But, living with such guilt began to destroy my equilibrium. Your letters gave me courage. I decided to take a stand. 

 

Please read the enclosed communication. 

 

Mary Parker.

 

         

Chapter 8: That Fateful Day

Summary:

Here’s an update for another Drabble Story

Recap – Mrs Heywood is concerned about her daughter’s wellbeing and writes o Mary Parker for advice

Chapter Text

Mrs Heywood was quite shocked at the contents of Mary’s latest epistle. 

She thought back to that fateful day of The Accident 

How she wished Mr T Parker had gone to the ‘other’ Willingden

What a ridiculous man! 

How despicable, to risk his family’s future 

And shameful, to abdicate responsibility 

Her beloved husband had been entirely correct in his reluctance to permit Charlotte’s expedition

If only she had followed Her Papa’s advice 

 

Be careful of everything 

 

Too late for regrets now

She carefully unfolded the second letter

Catching her breath at a particular phrase

 

I beg permission to make amends 

 

 

                    

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