“Why did he hit you, Percy?”
Weaving from side to side, Percy tried to speak but could not quite form the words and he burst into tears.
“Oh, Harry, it is so awful… I… I… I feel so helpless and I know not what to do.”
Harry stood up, sat down next to Percy and put his arm around his friend’s shoulder.
“Tell me what it is. Maybe there is something I can do to help.”
Percy shook his head. “There is nothing to be done. It is hopeless.”
“Why?”
“Father… has run the estate… into trouble. He says we are broke and he insists I marry money as soon as I… can. To save us.” Percy looked at Harry with pleading eyes.
“Who? Marry who?”
Percy started crying again. “I want… Maria… but… well, her dowry is not enough.”
“Maybe I can help some. How much does your father need?”
“Twenty-thousand… minimum. But even that is not enough if I am to have a life of my own with a new wife.”
“Sorry, old man that is way outside of what I can offer.”
“I was not really asking you.”
“Then what does he want you to do?”
“Marry Anna.”
This struck Harry to his heart. Not only because he yearned for Anna for himself, but because it was such a mercenary move on Percy’s part. Especially, when he knew that Percy and Maria cared for each other. Anna’s marriage to Percy would be a terrible blow to his sister as well as to him.
“I am supposed to visit Anna this afternoon but look at me. Look at my face. I cannot go there looking like this—tell her how much I care for her and present myself as a suitor. She would be horrified.”
“There must be some other way to solve your father’s problem. Why is he not the one who must be responsible? Why is he putting this all on you?”
“I believe he has tried, but to no avail. And he sees me as useless and feels that, as the future duke, I must take more responsibility for the estate. He feels it cannot be all on him.”
Harry nodded. “He does have a point, my friend. As dear a friend as you are, you really are a bit useless. You have no direction. No goals. And no profession. Howdoyou expect to become the Duke of Crauford with a worthless estate and no income?”
“By marrying Anna.”
“You know you will devastate Maria and hurt me.”
“How will I hurt you?” Percy asked.
“You know I have feelings for Anna. I have for a long time.”
“But Harry, it is me Anna has feelings for. The fact that I care for Maria is nothing in the world we live in. I must take advantage of Anna’s feelings for me if I am to save my family.”
Harry was gravely disappointed. “Percy, this is a tragedy. Not only for you—but for Anna, for Maria, and for myself. I cannot allow you to go through with this.”
Percy seemed to be sobering up. “And how are you to stop me?”
“By calling upon our friendship.”
Hanging his head, Percy said, “Oh, Harry… if only it were that simple.” He stood. “I am sorry, old friend, but my family must come first. And I do believe you would do the same.”
