“I do look forward to that,” Dorothy said gleefully. Then she turned to her sister. “You will come with me, Anna? Yes?”
* * *
Anna had been troubled all day after Harry and Maria’s visit. She could not get what they had told her about Percy out of her mind. Dear Percy… could it be true what they told her? But why would they make up such a story? No. She could not reconcile the tender feelings she felt for him with the picture they painted of his mercenary intentions to marry her only for the inheritance. No. No, and again no. Perhaps a trip with Dorothy to visit Christopher’s parents would be the perfect thing to do in order to remove herself from the situation and give her time to sort through her thoughts and feelings.
“Yes, I will. I think it would do us both a great deal of good to get away for a while. And I should like to meet your parents, Christopher.”
Chapter 24
Sitting with her mother and Aunt Agatha in her mother’s chambers, Maria asked, “Are you certain?”
Her mother replied, “If we go slowly and do not travel too long each day, I believe I shall not tire too much. I should like to see London again.”
“But it will be a long carriage ride. And ever since the accident, you have shunned carriages.”
Mother nodded. “That is true, but I cannot become a hermit for the rest of my life. And dear Agatha assures me London will be bright and glittering and a great contrast to my quiet life at Creassey.”
“I promise we shall make the ride as comfortable for you as possible,” Agatha assured her.
“But the memorial service is coming up. Do you not want to stay for that? The Viscount was such a good friend of our family,” Maria suggested.
Leah sighed. “He was, but you and Harry will be quite sufficient to represent our family. Unless you think it would be rude of me to leave.”
“And there is no need for me to attend,” Aunt said, “I never knew the old man.” She addressed her sister, “But it is up to you, my dear. If you feel you need to stay… well…. However, it would mean missing the opening of the Paul Sandby watercolor exhibition, which I am certain you would enjoy.”
Maria spoke up. “I really think youshouldstay for the service, Mother. It is only right—our two families being so close.”
Leah turned to her daughter. “You are right. Yes, I will go to London right after the memorial service. Autumn will soon be upon us and I would like to be home again before it turns too cold.”
Maria added, “You will be gone, and Harry and I must go to the cattle fair shortly. There will be nobody home.” She chuckled, “Then I expect all of the staff will become lazy and start lying abed of a morning.”
“Then let them. They deserve a little vacation as well. Give them all time off.”
“Who will become lazy?” Harry asked as he came into his mother’s room.
“Ah, Harry…” Aunt Agatha said, “We are planning our escape from Creassey with your mother, and I am certain you shall be vastly relieved to get rid of your, far too long-term, house guests.”
“Never, Aunt Agatha. You are always welcome and always amusing. Even if I do not fully believe all of your far-fetched stories.”
“Nonsense, every single word I say is completely true. I may embellish just the tiniest little bit, but I swear on my diamond necklace that I never tell a lie.”
“Be careful, I hope your diamonds do not turn to ashes,” he teased.
“Oh, be careful dear nephew… teasing your old aunt like that, you only bring shame on yourself.”
“I shall take the risk,” he said, leaning over and kissing the top of her head.
* * *
Harry felt badly that he had been so harsh about Percy to Anna. Even though it was true, he knew he had no business trying to influence her against the man she cared for. Yes… he had to admit that some of his motive for telling her was his desire to have her for himself. Now, he wanted to make amends and he rode over to Repington to see her again.
After being admitted to the house, he was directed to her father’s study.
“Anna,” he greeted as he entered. “I have come to apologize for the other day. I realize it was not my place to chastise you over Percy. You have every right to accept his suit if that is what you wish. Can you forgive me?” Harry stood before her with his head bowed slightly.
She considered his words. “I have taken to heart what you told me. I have not accepted it as true, but I will give your advice consideration. Dorothy and I are to go visit Christopher’s family after the memorial service. I want to meet his family and I want to get away from Wiltshire for a time. I feel I need a break and an opportunity to think and consider what I want to do next. This has been a period of turmoil, and so much has been happening, that I feel the need to breathe on my own. To take walks under a different sky and see if I can make sense of what might lie ahead.”
“I am happy to hear that. And one of the reasons I have come to visit you today is to discuss the well house with you. We had planned to meet so that I might show you where the well is and discuss your drawings—which were very fine, by the way.”
