* * *
“How splendid to be home,” Dorothy cried out as she danced into the entryway, turning in circles.
Anna came right behind her, looking relieved that the journey had finally ended. It had been an exhausting visit—much more so than she had anticipated. The liveliness of the Stewart household had surprised her. The close quarters of the rainy seaside visit had unnerved her and, most importantly, Dorothy’s near cancellation of the engagement had rattled her. And, oh yes, her new-found admiration for Harry had totally taken her by surprise. But that was the only development which she held close to her heart.
Anna was too exhausted to go up to her chambers and she collapsed onto the sofa in the drawing-room, tossing her bonnet on the cushion beside her. She could hear Dorothy singing and dancing her way up the stairs to her rooms. But for now, Anna did not want to move.
What most occupied her thoughts at the moment was Harry. She was home, and he was nearby. How did she want to handle this? Should she brazenly bring up the subject with him or should she drop little hints that she was approachable regarding his feelings for her? Oh, my, being a woman was so complicated. How much easier these things were for men.
Warrick appeared at the drawing-room doorway. “Excuse me, Miss Anna, I wanted to welcome you home. Might you be needing anything at the moment?”
She turned toward him. “Oh, thank you, Warrick, but not right now. But let me ask you, was everything all right while we were gone? Do you have anything to report?”
He seemed to hesitate but said, “There was one rather strange occurrence I should tell you about.”
“Yes?”
“Ah… well… His Lordship came by one morning in somewhat of an agitated state.”
“Good heavens…”
“Yes. He wanted to sit in your room. Something about missing you and wanting to feel you near him. Most unusual, Miss Anna.”
“And did you let him?”
“I saw no harm in it—as he is such a close friend of the family.”
“You did the right thing and thank you for letting me know.”
“Yes, Miss Anna,” he said and left.
Anna leaned against the back of the sofa and smiled.
* * *
The very next morning, Anna was with her maid as she was unpacking the luggage when Warrick appeared at her chamber door.
“Miss Anna, Mr. Percy requests to see you. Are you at home to him?”
“Yes, Warrick, tell him I will be down presently and serve tea in the morning room, if you please.”
“Yes, Miss Anna.”
Anna gave final instructions to her maid and went downstairs to where Percy was waiting for her. But, before she entered, she needed to steel her resolve, knowing what was about to come.
“Mr. Percy, good morning.”
“And to you Miss Anna,” he said still standing and holding his hat in his hand.
“You may sit, if you like.”
“No thank you, Miss Anna. I have stopped by just briefly to relay an important message and I do not wish to take up too much of your time.”
“But I have ordered tea. Certainly, you can stay that long.”
“Very well,” he said a little nervously.
They sat opposite each other at the tea table.
