This was extremely liberating, and she turned to her books and began flipping through different ones to find inspiration for projects she might do for the estate. She could do anything she wanted—limited only by the scope of her imagination—and available funds.
But then her enthusiasm came crashing down. First, she did not have the training to build such structures by herself, and secondly, she did not have the funds to accomplish such projects—yet.
She was getting way ahead of herself. She needed to get together with her sister and their solicitor to find out exactly what would be needed to run the estate. And then the two sisters would need to consider exactly how much each would have as their share to use as they wished. And no doubt, Dorothy was already thinking what she might have to take with her to her marriage with Christopher.
With all the turmoil of the day, Anna had barely acknowledged Dorothy’s announcement that she was engaged to Mr. Stewart. How incredibly negligent Anna had been in congratulating her sister on her joyous news.
Anna found Dorothy in her flower garden deadheading roses. She snuck behind her unannounced and startled her.
“Dorothy…”
She turned abruptly. “You surprised me.”
“I am sorry. But I realized I had not reacted to the announcement of your engagement as I should have. It took me so by surprise. Please tell me all about the proposal.”
Dorothy picked up her basket of spent roses and asked, “Was it improper of me to accept his proposal at such a time?”
Anna was uncertain, but said, “Does it really matter? But you realize itwouldbe improper to marry before the end of the mourning period. But I see no harm in accepting his proposal.”
“Good,” Dorothy said with a smile, as she linked her arm with Anna’s and said, “Is it tea time? Let us return to the house and I shall tell you everything he said.”
Settled into Anna’s chambers with tea, Dorothy told Anna an embellished story of the proposal where it was Christopher who pushed for the engagement—not her.
Anna was thoughtful before asking, “Are you certain, my dear? You have known him such a short time.”
“Well, we will have at least six months before we marry, and I am thinking I should visit his family. That should give us more time to be together and get to know one another. He has even promised to take me to the seaside. How jolly that would be!” Dorothy suddenly got a splendid idea. She leaned forward and enthusiastically said, “Oh, Anna, do come with me. I should love for you to meet the family too. I would so much value your opinion. It would be good for both of us to get away for a while after the service.”
“Hmm. That might be a good idea. But it cannot be too soon after the service. We must observesomepropriety,” Anna said. She realized that now that they were orphaned, and she was the eldest, she would need to be the responsible one.
“Oh, and Christopher is to stay with Harry until after the memorial service. We shall have almost two more weeks to visit.”
“Have you discussed where you will hold the wedding? Of course, you are welcome to have it here, but perhaps his parents would prefer it to be in Dorset.”
“Anna, it is far too early for us to discuss that. But my preference would be to have it here. After all, we will be paying for it, since Father is no longer here to represent the bride’s family.”
“Perhaps it can be decided on our visit to Christopher’s family.”
Each held their own thoughts for a moment before Dorothy said, “But Anna, what are you to do after I am gone? I cannot bear the thought of you living here all by yourself. It only occurred to me just this minute.”
“I am certain I shall be kept quite busy running the estate. There is no need to be concerned for me.”
“But what if you marry? Certainly, your husband would want you to live with him. What will become of the estate then?”
“That is a very good question, my dear—and one that I have not yet thought about. I suppose we could always sell it.”
“Oh, Anna… but it is our home.”
“But not if we are both married and creating families elsewhere.”
It was clear the two sisters were only now beginning to realize the extent of the changes in their lives. They became lost in thought again as Dorothy poured them each another cup of tea and passed the plate of biscuits to her sister.
Anna finally spoke up. “Do you know where you and Christopher plan to set up your household? Does he have his own property?”
“He says he must remain at home as he is to inherit the property. But he promises we shall have our own quarters.”
“You might want to suggest to him that the two of you live here until he inherits.”
“I believe he is needed at home to help run the estate.”
