That gave Harry pause. “Anna is first and foremost our friend. Whether she eventually becomes the Duchess of Crauford or not—it will never lessen our feelings toward her and Dorothy.”
“Well said, dear brother.”
Chapter 29
Christopher returned home after the memorial service and Dorothy moped around the house for days on end until it came near to the time when they would be traveling to Dorset for the visit with his family.
And then, miraculously, her temper improved. Her first task was to search through their father’s library for a map of Dorset, as she wanted to see exactly where they were headed. But finding nothing but a bulky old atlas that was outdated and useless, Dorothy insisted they go into Marlborough to purchase a map at the bookstore.
“You do not need me to go with you, my dear,” Anna said at breakfast. “Just order the carriage and off you go.”
“But I would much rather go with you, Anna. It is so frightfully lonely traveling alone in a bouncing carriage with no one to distract me from the discomfort.”
“That is just not possible, dear Sister, as I am still sorting through all of Father’s papers and we really must meet with the solicitor before we go on our trip. There is a great deal of money at stake and we need to understand our position before we speak to Christopher’s family.”
Dorothy feigned fatigue and laid her head on the breakfast table. “Why can you not take care of that? The very idea of sitting in a hard chair listening to the solicitor going on and on about things which I have no understanding would bore me to tears.”
“My dear, we share in the estate and it should interest you, as you and Christopher will one day need to understand and make decisions about your futures.”
Dorothy sighed and played with the watery scrambled eggs on her plate. “Very well I shall go to the solicitor’s with you, but then can we stop and purchase a map afterward?”
“Of course.”
* * *
Several days after returning home from the cattle fair, Harry and Maria decided to pay a call on Anna and Dorothy. They had not seen either of them since their father’s memorial service and Maria wanted to tell them about meeting the very nice Roger Dillon.
As they pulled up the buggy in front of Repington Hall, Harry felt a twinge in his stomach as he recognized Percy’s tethered horse. It must mean that Percy was visiting too.
Maria recognized the horse as well and they looked at each other.
“Do you want to go in or turn around?” she asked.
“It is up to you,” Harry said. “But I would rather not have to make a second trip later. We are both going to need to accept the fact thatyourPercy is courtingmyAnna. We cannot pretend this situation does not exist.”
She nodded. “Very well. Then we need big smiles and patience.”
They got down from the carriage and were received by Warrick and led to the sitting room.
Anna looked up when Warrick entered. She was sitting with Percy.
“His Lordship and Miss Maria have come for a visit. Are you receiving?”
“Of course, always.” She stood. Percy followed suit.
Maria entered first, and ignoring Percy, went over and gave Anna a hug. “We just got back from the cattle fair in Winchester and Harry and I wanted to see you before you and Dorothy left for Dorset.” She turned to Percy and nodded. “Mr. Percy…”
“Miss Maria,” he responded, obviously very nervous. Then Harry stepped forward, and Percy nodded to him.
“How nice of you both to call. Mr. Percy has just come to wish us a bon voyage as well. I think we will be sent off safe and sound with all your good wishes,” Anna said, taking Harry’s offered hand to shake. “Please let us all sit. I am sorry Dorothy is not here to greet you too. She had gone for a walk just before Mr. Percy arrived and has not returned yet.”
Maria and Harry sat—the four of them in an awkward silent circle.
“Tell me all about your trip to Winchester. Did you have any fun or was it all work and no play?” Anna asked.
Maria shot a glance at Percy who met her gaze. “It was delightful. Winchester was a fair city and Harry bought a few cows to replace those recently lost.” Percy hung his head. “But what was most memorable was meeting a fellow cattle breeder and friend of Harry’s. His name is Roger Dillon and he was most attentive to me and will be visiting us a little later when he delivers our new cattle.”
Harry felt badly for his friend and said to Percy, “You must stop by some time to see them and then we can go fishing.”
