“He does not know that I never asked Anna to marry me. Maria… my dearest, dearest Maria, will you marry me? Please?”
These were the words that Maria had so longed to hear, but she did not accept him. Instead she stood up, offered her hand to help Percy stand from his kneeling position, and asked, “But Percy how can I accept your proposal when you have no direction in your life? My dowry is too small for us to base a life together on that alone. How are we to live? How are you to make a living to support us?”
Percy lowered his eyes to avoid her gaze, obviously disappointed she did not immediately accept his offer of marriage. “You are absolutely right. But I have given it much thought. We still have a little land at Crauford and I was thinking I might be able to put it to use somehow. I could find a profitable crop, or raise cattle like Harry does, or build something that could bring income…”
“But Percy that would require startup capital which you do not have. You have to be realistic. As much as I am certain you would hate it, you need to find employment. You only spent a few years at university and you have no degree or profession. It is not going to be easy.”
“I have made a mess of my life, have I not?”
“Yes, Percy you have.”
“Then help me. Help me find my way. I will do anything I can so that we can marry. That is, if you will have me. Will you?”
Maria looked at her dear Percy. And she had to admit he did seem changed. But was his new-found responsibility sincere, and what exactly could she do to help him—to help the two of them if they were to be married? She sighed. “Let me speak to Harry. Perhaps he may be able to advise us.”
Percy cried out and took her hands. “Then you will consider marrying me?”
“Yes, Percy, I will—consider,” she whispered to herself.
* * *
With Dorothy and Christopher reconciled, they were meeting with Anna in Dorothy’s chambers to discuss the details of the wedding. The time and place had already been agreed upon but there were still many details to be worked out.
“Dorothy and I will begin working on the wedding plans. There is no need for you to involve yourself with those, Christopher, unless you wish to,” Anna said.
“No, I shall leave the planning to you two. And just be happy my mother is not involved, for she would drive you crazy with her indecision or mind changes.” Christopher laughed.
Dorothy was unable to sit still in her excitement. She picked up a ribbon from her dresser and twirled around the room in a circle, singing to herself.
“When must you return home?” Anna asked Christopher.
He looked at the dancing Dorothy and said, “There are no plans. I would love to stay here until the wedding, but I know I must return to help father with the estate work.”
“Yes, you must,” Anna said very sensibly. “You would do nothing but distract Dorothy if you stayed, and the wedding planning would fall entirely on me.”
Dorothy ran over and threw her arms around Christopher. “Darling, darling, darling… Christopher, I shall miss you so much when you leave.”
“But I must also prepare our new home, Dorothy. I want it to be perfect for you when you arrive.”
Dorothy turned to Anna. “Is he not the dearest, sweetest man?”
Anna hesitated, then addressed Christopher. “And how do you intend to prepare your wing of the house? It was my understanding your family did not have the money to do that.”
“Ah… yes… You have a point,” he said a little nervously.
“Very well,” Anna started. “I am certain Dorothy does not remember, as she was so bored at our meeting with the solicitor, but her dowry has been established and is available to her when she wishes.”
“It is?” Dorothy asked in surprise.
“Yes. And I have taken the liberty of having a marriage agreement drawn up for the two of you. If you are prepared to sign it, Mr. Stewart, then Dorothy could release a reasonable sum for the work on her new home. Would that be agreeable to the two of you?”
Dorothy and Christopher looked at each other, smiled, and nodded in agreement.
“Very well, let me get the agreement for the both of you to review and, if it is agreeable, then sign it and I can arrange to have the funds released.”
“Miss Anna, thank you so very much. And I assure you it will be put to good use. My intention is to make a comfortable and happy home for Dorothy.”
“And for you,” Dorothy added. And he responded with a nod.
