“Thank you, but with the recent developments I have not given much thought to the well.”
“Yes, I expect you have not. But is it something you still wish to do, or do your new responsibilities preclude you building my well house?”
Anna stood and came around the desk. She went to the study window and watched a flock of birds swoop and glide over the garden.
“My situation has changed, Harry.”
“Then you are no longer interested in building anything?”
She turned to him. “Quite the contrary. I am even more interested. Now that I shall have control of my own money I can design and build what I like. I have long had a desire to build a wonderful, monumental entrance gate, a folly, or assorted other structures here at Repington. And now I can do that… or will be able to eventually.
Harry smiled, “I expect my small well house will no longer interest you then.”
She returned his smile. “I would not say that. But I might need to fit you in amongst my other noble projects.” She laughed lightly.
“I quite understand. But most importantly, might you be able to forgive my intrusion into your life the other day when I was presumptive enough to suggest how you should live your life.”
“I know you meant well,” she said.
But Harry could not help himself. Standing alone with her like this reminded him of his impetuous kiss not that long ago. He wanted to grab her, take her in his arms and kiss her passionately again. He took a step forward but stopped. However, she looked up at him and their eyes locked and he could sense that she somehow intuited what he felt. And for a brief moment it looked to him as though she would positively respond.
But as quickly as the moment came, it also passed, she turned away, and said, “I will not be able to think of anything but the memorial service for the next few days. And shortly after that, Dorothy and I will be traveling to Dorset.” She turned to face him again. “When we return you and I might discuss your well. Unless you need it before then, in which case, you may need to find someone else to build it for you.”
“There is no one else I would rather have than you.” Harry suddenly realized what he said could be interpreted several different ways and he added, “…to build the well house. I want it to be yours. I very much appreciated your fine designs.”
“Then it shall be my pleasure to build it for you,” she said with a pleasant smile.
Harry was once again overcome with passion for her and he was just about to step forward and take her in his arms when Dorothy came in.
“Oh, hello, Harry. I did not know you were here. Is Maria with you?”
“Not today,” he said, taking a step backward and trying to gain control of his elevated breathing.
“Then I am happy to see you. Might you give Christopher a message for me?”
“Of course,” he said giving a glance at Anna to see if she might have noticed his passion.
“Tell him I am to go into the village this afternoon and he must come to me this evening instead of when we planned to meet. He will understand.”
Harry nodded.
“Did you want something, dear?” Anna asked as she crossed back to her father’s desk.
“Oh, yes. Silly goose, me. I just wanted to ask if you had given any thought to the time we will have the reception. Warrick was asking, and I did not think we had set a time yet.”
“Immediately after the service. We will need to give the guests time to get here, so I should say an hour after it ends.”
“And when will that be?”
Anna looked to Harry since he had made the arrangements with the vicar. “Harry, was there a determination as to how long the service would last?”
“No more than an hour as there is to be no burial.” He answered, still trying to get control of his feelings.
“There you have it.” Anna said, and Dorothy turned and left.
Harry could not bear to leave her, but he knew he must. As he picked up his hat, he turned back to Anna and said, “My dearest, Anna, I want to ask you something.”
“Yes?”
