“I most certainly will,” he insisted, and continued to gaze at her.
“Excuse us, Maria,” Harry said. “We did not mean to interrupt your work.”
“But I am glad we did,” Christopher said, and smiled at Anna. “Might you promise me your first dance, Miss Anna? I should be so grateful.”
Anna studied this young man. “I might be persuaded to. If you can keep up,” she teased, enjoying the banter.
“And you, Miss Dorothy, might I reserve the second dance with you?”
“I believe that will be convenient. But we are going to be much less formal than a formal ball and are not to have dance cards. So we shall see on the evening.”
Harry nudged Christopher. “Come along, old fellow. Leave the ladies to their decorating.”
Christopher laughed. “I am so happy I shall be here for the dance. I am certain it will be a delightful evening.”
“We intend it to be, Mr. Stewart,” Maria said, amused by the encounters.
The gentlemen left, and the three ladies looked at each other and giggled.
* * *
Shortly after their encounter with the gentlemen, the ladies were in the dining hall deciding where the flowers would go and what sort of arrangements would go on the dining table so as not to obscure the view of the guests.
“I hate it when I wish to hold a discussion with the person across from me at the table, but we cannot talk because a large flower arrangement obstructs our view,” Dorothy said, as she set a bowl on the table that would hold a low arrangement of flowers.
“I think in those instances you converse with the gentlemen on either side,” Anna reminded her.
“Oh, poo. What if I like neither? I want to be able to speak to whomever I like.”
Maria seemed to find Dorothy amusing. “Then I shall let you design the table flowers. I want you to have a delightful evening.”
“Why, thank you, Maria,” Dorothy replied.
“Excuse me, ladies…” Christopher had appeared at the dining hall door. “Might I have a private word with you, Miss Anna?”
Anna was surprised by the request but went over to him. “You wish to speak to me?”
Christopher seemed a little nervous and put his hands in his pockets as he struggled with what to say.
“Miss Anna, I do not know how your afternoon is planned, but I should feel greatly honored if you would accompany me on a walk later when you are free.”
“A walk?”
“Yes, just around the garden. It is such a beautiful afternoon, and I thought we might converse a little. I should like to get to know you better, and I will not be here for long. I would like to converse with you some before the evening of the dance.”
Anna was both flattered and surprised. She tilted her head sideways. “I would not mind. It is a lovely afternoon and it might be refreshing to walk in the garden shade.”
“Oh, excellent…” He said but just stood looking at her.
She turned her head slightly indicating she was expecting him to say more, but when he did not she asked, “And the time and place?”
“Oh… yes. Perhaps before tea?” He checked his pocket watch. “Shall we say three o’clock?”
He did not say more, so she asked, “And where?”
“I shall find you.”
“Very well. Thank you, Mr. Stewart. I look forward to our walk.”
