However, she sensed his discomfort and asked, “I hope you are enjoying yourself. I know you must be used to large festive dinners with friends and family around you every day.”
“Not at all,” he said, “I… well, my sister, mother, and I live quite simply. My aunt and her traveling companion are visiting at the moment, so we do have slightly more festive meals presently, but it is not usual.”
“But there certainly must be some tempting, young lady in your life. A handsome, titled gentleman such as yourself must be nearly on the edge of matrimony.”
Harry smiled. “Not so. I have been totally engrossed in developing and expanding my estate and have not given much thought to entertaining young ladies—however tempting.”
Nora gave a mock pout. “No one?”
Harry saw this as an opportunity and said, “Well, there is one young lady. She is a local lady whom I have known since childhood. Our families were close, but unfortunately, she just recently lost her father, so we are unable to contemplate an engagement until the time of mourning has passed.”
Nora did not like hearing this information one bit. “Oh, I did not realize. There was no one by your side at the dance. I just assumed you were unattached.”
“Well, technically I am. However, I must let you know, in case you have interests in my direction, that my affections are directed elsewhere.” He knew this was only half true, as Anna did not reciprocate his affections, but he had decided he did not want to become any further embroiled in Nora’s perceived seduction.
“Ah…” And Nora turned to her aspic chicken with renewed concentration.
The conversation relapsed into the mundane until the meal was nearly finished. At that point, and quite casually, Nora lowered her eyes and said in a raspy voice. “You must forgive me, Harry, but I must have had a touch too much champagne, for I feel the most nagging headache coming on. Would it be horribly impolite if I cut short our evening? I am so dreadfully sorry, I hope you understand.”
Harry understood all too well. “Of course. It has been a most charming evening. And should you wish to inspect the cattle again, I shall make certain there will be someone available to show you around.”
* * *
The next day Harry found Maria alone in her room going over the household accounts shortly before lunch. She looked up as he entered.
“Oh, Harry, good. I wanted to talk to you about Mother. Aunt Agatha would like to take her back to London to stay for a while and I was wondering what you thought about that? Do you think she is up to such a trip?”
“Have you asked Mother about that?”
Maria laughed. “How obvious. Of course, that is exactly what we need to do. I am so used to bossing everyone in the household around that I forgot we can just ask her what she wants to do.”
“I will be happy to go talk to her with you if you like.”
“I think I can handle that. But if you want…”
“I am certain you can take care of that alone. But I did want to talk to you about something important,” he said walking over to her desk and taking a chair opposite.
“And what would that be?”
This was going to be difficult for Harry, but he launched in. “It concerns Percy.”
“Oh? I have noticed he seems troubled lately. Is it about that?”
“Partially.” He outlined his encounter with the drunken Percy after his father’s beating.
“Harry, that is terrible! Was he badly hurt?”
“It created a nasty welt, but I think it was more about humiliation than pain.
“Why would his father assault Percy?
“It seems the Crauford estate is in great jeopardy. Apparently, the Duke must raise a great deal of money to save the family.”
“That is horrible. Poor Percy. He has said nothing to me about any of this. But then, I have not seen him very much recently. We have not visited in quite a few days.”
Harry was finding it difficult to get to the point as he knew it would hurt Maria. “But the crux of the matter is, the Duke, believing that Anna is about to inherit a great deal of money from her father, wants Percy to ask her to marry him.”
Maria did not react right away but hung her head and sat with her hands folded in her lap.
