Now it was Anna’s turn to blush again. “I might choose to have a dance or two with Mr. Percy. Yes, I know he is a little wild, but he is a young man, and I feel certain he will come to his senses eventually. After all, he and your sensible brother are good friends. Don’t you think his influence will eventually smooth young Percy’s rough edges?”
Maria sighed. “One would hope so. But I am afraid I do not hear good things about Percy’s family. It seems his father is a somewhat shady character, even if he is a Duke. He is a brutal landlord and there is even talk of dealings with less than honorable associates.”
“I know nothing about things like that. Dorothy and I lead sheltered lives, and apart from Father’s Indian adventures, we hear of little that might be considered exciting.”
“But you, I, and your sister are all of an age when we must seriously contemplate marriage.” Anna did not immediately respond, but seemed conflicted about something and Maria asked, “Is that not what you want?”
“Of course, I do. But I have to say, I do rather enjoy my single life. Father cares well for us, even though he does urge us to find husbands. But he is away for such long times that there is never any pressure for us to marry quickly. And I do enjoy my freedom. I love our home, and the thought of uprooting myself to go live in some stranger’s house does give me pause.”
“Yes, but certainly you want children and a family life.”
Anna smiled weakly. “Yes, I do. I do. But you know my secret passion is to conceive, design, and build something. I have been urging Father to let me construct a classical folly on the estate, but he prevaricates and will never give me an answer. And, as I have no money of my own, I must abide by his generosity and his decisions.”
“Then let us make our dance a delightful event. I shall send out invitations and invite guests to bring interesting young gentlemen along with them. Who knows who might show up and sweep us off our feet?”
* * *
The invitations went out for an evening of supper and dance, and Dorothy eagerly awaited news from Maria about the RSVP’s to find out how many would be attending and if there were any new young gentlemen attending who she might not know. It was always such fun to anticipate a surprise guest or two.
“Why are you not more excited about the dance, Anna?” Dorothy asked her sister at breakfast one morning.
“What makes you ask that?” Anna replied. “Iamexcited, but also a little overwhelmed by the work that needs to be done before the event. I am over at the Manor almost every day helping Maria.” Anna gave her sister a sour look. “And if you could bring yourself to help some, it would be greatly appreciated. I told Maria that both of us would offer help, but so far you have not participated.”
Dorothy frowned as she cut her fried tomato in the sunny breakfast room. “But what would you have me do? I have no skills.”
“What about organizing the flowers? They are your greatest delight, and you might offer to either make arrangements from your garden, or oversee designing the flowers from the Creassey Manor garden.”
Dorothy brightened up. “Oh, yes… I should like that. Take me with you next time you go, and I shall see what is in their garden and confer with Maria about what her needs are. Yes. What fun!” Dorothy thoughtfully worked on her rasher of bacon then asked, “And what are we to wear? Certainly, we cannot be expected to show up in the tired old dresses everyone for miles around already knows?”
“Are you asking for a new dress, Dorothy?”
“It had crossed my mind. Well, for you too, of course. We could make a day trip to Marlborough and spend the day shopping. What do you say?”
Anna idly played with the salt and pepper shakers as she said, “That might be possible. But nothing extravagant.”
“I should like a rose-colored dress,” Dorothy said. “And I fancy a dark burgundy sash and perhaps small red or pink rosebuds worked into my hair.”
“That sounds nice. And I am thinking about something in blue. A darker blue. Light blue makes me look washed out.”
Dorothy stood up from the breakfast table. “Oh, yes. When can we go?”
“After we visit with Maria about the flowers. You really must lend us a hand.”
Dorothy danced around the breakfast room with an imaginary dance partner. “La, la, la,” she sang as she twirled around the room. She went over to Anna, offered her hands, pulled Anna up and made her dance with her—both laughing.
Chapter 4
Christopher Stewart was a friend of Harry’s from his Oxford University days. They also shared a common interest in raising cattle, although, Christopher’s interest was purely commercial. He raised beef cattle and did not have an interest in the distinctive prize breed that Harry raised. Harry had not known about the dance evening when he invited Christopher to visit, but now that it was happening, and Christopher would be at the Manor, it seemed to be a nice additional activity for his friend to enjoy.
“I hope you brought some dress clothing, old man?” Harry asked his friend as they lounged in Harry’s study shortly after Christopher arrived. They were drinking whiskey and catching up on events since they last saw each other.
“I assumed we dressed for dinner, if that is what you mean?” the boyishly handsome young Christopher asked.
“No. You have come just in time for an evening of music and dance my sister is putting together with some lady friends of hers. I think it will be quite diverting, and I of course invite you to attend.”
“How charming. I should enjoy that. I see far more cattle than I do fine young ladies these days,” he said laughing.
Blond curly hair crowned the fine features of Harry’s friend. Christopher did not have the strong build that Harry had, but it was clear the slim young man would catch many a fair maiden’s eyes.
