“Yes. Yes. Thank you. Thank you,” he said while he awkwardly backed away from her through the door before turning.
When he was gone, Anna turned back to the other ladies and they all started laughing together.
* * *
Promptly at three o’clock, Mr. Stewart appeared in the large salon where the dance was to be held. The ladies had moved there to discuss the flowers for the small tables that would surround the room for the guests to sit between dances.
“Miss Anna, are you free now?”
“I am, Mr. Stewart, and have been expecting you.”
Anna joined Christopher. They left by the main entrance and soon found a comfortably shaded walk through a wilder and less formal part of the garden.
They walked in silence for a few moments before Anna asked, “And where are you from, Mr. Stewart?”
“I am from Dorset, Miss Anna. I raise cattle like Harry does, but it is a modest operation and I work with my father who owns the estate.”
“Do you have siblings?”
“Two sisters and a brother. I am the eldest.”
“And how do you know Harry?”
“We were at Oxford together. We were friends and stayed in touch. But I am also here to see his cattle. They are a fine breed and I have been considering perhaps purchasing a breeding pair.”
Anna was amused that Christopher seemed to be talking around what he might really want to say. So she asked, “And do you have a wife or a fiancé?”
That seemed to focus Christopher and he said, “No, Miss Anna, I do not. And I wanted to ask about you.”
They had come to a small stream that wandered through the garden where there was a bench in the shade.
As it was a very warm afternoon, she took a handkerchief from her sleeve and patted her brow. “And what did you wish to ask me?”
“Are you engaged or seeing someone?” he asked shyly.
“No, Mr. Stewart, I am not.”
“There is no one who interests you?”
“I would not say that. There is a young gentleman, but I do not believe he has set his heart on me.”
“I see,” he said and hesitated before saying, “I know I shall not be here long, but I have found you to be a most charming and compatible young lady and I would like to ask if you… if you would do me the honor of corresponding with me after I leave?”
Anna thought about that a moment. “It is possible. But let us enjoy the dance evening first. You might find someone more to your liking and then you would feel obligated to write me, and I would not want that.”
Christopher smiled. “As you might, as well.”
Anna laughed. “I already know most of the guests who will be attending the evening and expect no surprises.”
“Then I look forward to the first and perhaps many dances with you, Miss Anna.”
Anna smiled. “Mr. Christopher.” She nodded and stood to be escorted back to the house. “Now, I really must join Maria and my sister. And I believe it is almost tea time.”
Chapter 5
Anna and Dorothy had been to Marlborough, shopped for the day, and were back just in time for tea. They were in Anna’s chambers with their purchases strewn across her bed for further examination.
“Do you like my peach-colored gloves?” Dorothy asked, as she laid them across her new dress. “You do not think there is too much yellow in them to go with the rose color in the dress?”
