Dorothy chose to take her time going down to greet Christopher. She did not want to seem anxious and felt a delay might strengthen his interest in her.
She wanted her entrance to the blue parlor to be just perfect, So she put a summer shawl around her shoulders, picked up a book, and closed it around a flower she had plucked from an arrangement in her room. However, before going down, she looked in the mirror, pinched her cheeks to redden them and pulled a few strands of hair down around her face to look as though she might have been walking out of doors in the breeze.
When she opened the parlor door, she was surprised to see Anna sitting with Mr. Christopher, as she poured tea.
Anna looked up. “We were beginning to think you might not be coming down. I saw Mr. Stewart arrive from my window, but as no one was attending to him, I came to keep him company. I went ahead and ordered tea. I hope you do not mind.”
Now Dorothy adored her sister, but she was more than a little angry at the moment. Why was Anna usurping her visit with Christopher? Could she not have seen last night that Christopher preferred her to her sister?
“Not at all. Good morning both,” she said breezily as she settled into a chair by the tea table.
“Good morning, Miss Dorothy. How refreshed you look after such a late night of dancing,” Christopher said.
“Oh, it was nothing. It was such a delightful evening I arose refreshed quite early and have just come back from a long walk.”
Who was she kidding? Anna did not believe her story, but she was not to be put off, and said, “Mr. Christopher, what brings you to Repington Hall this morning?”
“I was hoping you and I might have a walk, but as you have just returned from one, I shall withdraw my offer.”
Dorothy saw that Anna was amused by this whole charade, but Anna was too good a sister to interfere.
“Then perhaps we could go for a ride together?” she said trying to rescue the situation. “We have many fine trails to ride on our estate. We even have a charming lake you might enjoy seeing.”
“That sounds splendid,” Christopher said and smiled.
Anna took her cue and said, “Then you must excuse me. But I must get back to work.” She addressed Christopher, “I am preparing drawings for Harry, as he has commissioned me to build a well house for him.”
Christopher asked, “I did not know you were interested in building. What a strange occupation for a young lady.”
“I am more interested in designing than actually constructing anything. But this is my first opportunity to design something for someone and it delights me no end.”
“Excellent. I am certain it will be splendid.”
“Thank you,” she said and left the two of them alone to enjoy their time together.
* * *
“Here…” The Duke of Crauford said, pushing a paper across his desk to his son, Percy.
“What is that?” Percy asked, picking up the paper and examining it. “It is just a list of names. What am I to do with this?”
“Not just any names. They are the names of eligible young ladies with substantial dowries. Most live in London and I want you to go there and begin searching for a wife. I am sick to death of your lazy, no good ways. You need to do something for this family as soon as possible.”
“And what is the rush? After all, you are the head of this family and the provider. Why do you need me to rush into an ill-considered marriage?”
“I will have none of your insolence, young man. You will do as I say.”
“Or what?” Percy asked standing his ground.
“Or you will be out of this family and completely on your own. You can starve wherever you like, but you will not get one more penny from me unless you do as I ask.”
“But you know I care for Maria Buxton. We have an understanding.”
“And what exactly will she bring to the marriage?”
“I believe she has several thousand. We have not discussed it in detail. Our relationship is not based on money.”
“Huh… Well you had better start thinking about it. And you will need considerably more than that. All the ladies on that list bring at least thirty thousand… at the minimum.”
