“I do, Miss Anna. And let me assure you that the feelings I have for you are true, sincere, and lasting.”
“I appreciate your candor and point of view. Thank you.”
Percy reached over and took her hand. “No,thank you. I am so happy I was able to clear this up for you. And I look forward, when you return from your visit, to renewing our acquaintance and hope that you will consider my suit.”
“I will consider it.”
Percy stood and took both of her hands in his. “Thank you, thank you. You have made me such a happy man.”
And with that he withdrew and returned to his father.
Anna was once again in great turmoil. She did not know what to believe. Percy was persuasive, but so was Harry. And the revelation that Harry had expressed to Percy, not only of his fondness for her, but also his love, set her heart fluttering once again.
But she was rescued from her thoughts by the return of Dorothy to the reception.
“Oh, I feel ever so much better,” Dorothy said, flopping down in the chair Percy had just abandoned. “I washed up a little and it was very refreshing. Would you like to escape for a few moments? I would be happy to relieve you for a while if you like.”
“Yes, I should like that very much.” Anna stood and left the room—agitated more by this latest news than the heat.
* * *
After Percy returned to his father, he was apprehensive. He believed he had handled the situation well with Anna, but he was shaken that Harry and Maria had revealed to her what they had.
“Well?” his father asked, taking hold of his arm.
Percy nodded, but he was angry and spoke injudiciously. “My, so-called friend, Harry, told Anna about your insistence I court Anna because of your financial troubles.”
“What!” Arnold exploded. Several nearby guests looked over at them with disapproval.
Percy tried to calm his father. “But I believe I handled it.”
“Tell me exactly what she said,” his father insisted.
Percy related the conversation—perhaps altering a few of the details to put him in a better light.
“Damn the man. I swear… So, you think you still have a chance with her?”
“Oh, yes. Most certainly. She and her sister are to go away for a while but, once she returns, I am ready to reengage.”
“How long will they be gone?”
“I have no idea. She did not say it was for a set amount of time.”
“Damnation. Time lost. But I guess there is nothing to be done.” Then he got another idea. “As soon as she leaves, I want you to go to London. Begin scouting for brides there. We are short on time and you need to pursue every avenue available.”
“Father…” Percy did not like the sound of that one bit.
“You will do as I say.”
Arnold scanned the room and found Harry talking with some of the other guests. He glowered. “I am not going to let the damn Earl of Creassey get away with what he has done to you.”
“Father, let it be. I have handled it.”
“No. I do not let such slights go by unpunished. There will be retribution.”
“What? What are you going to do?”
“I do not know yet, but it will give him a great deal of pain.”
