Maria served everyone, and as she took her first sip of tea, she glanced at Percy. Her heart flipped as she saw how sad he was.
Fortunately, Harry came to her rescue by asking Percy, “Who do you favor in the by-elections?”
Percy seemed confused and stumbled out, “Ah… ah… Not given it any thought, Harry. I have been preoccupied with other matters.”
“We have a chap in our district I should like to see replaced,” Harry said filling his plate with biscuits. “But his seat is a solid one and I see little hope in ousting him.”
Harry caught Maria’s eye and she saw he recognized the awkwardness of the situation.
“Roger, you have not met our mother this time because she is in London visiting her sister. Do you get to London often?”
Maria was relieved that Harry had directed the conversation to Roger and away from Percy.
“Occasionally. Our family has ties to several banking operations and my father and I go down to see what is going on with our investments from time to time.” He turned his attention to Maria and asked, “I noticed there are a number of fine works of art in your house. I should very much appreciate a tour. Do you think you could take some time and show me around the house after tea?”
Maria glanced quickly at Percy before answering. “I should be delighted to, but first I must confer with cook about dinner.”
Percy, without any word, stood up abruptly. He was shaking. “I really must go. I am so sorry.” He looked at Maria and she saw he was on the brink of tears.
“Percy…” Harry said trying to understand what was going on. “If Maria is going to show Mr. Dillon the house, you and I could go fishing after tea. Must you rush off?”
“Yes. I must. I am sorry I am not good company this afternoon. I should not have accepted your invitation to tea. Most sorry, Maria.” He tossed his napkin on the tea table and left quickly.
Roger seemed perplexed. “Strange fellow. Is he always so rude?”
Maria said gently, “His family is suffering a great crisis and I believe he is over-emotional at the moment.”
“Still… he seems like a real rotter to me. You say he is your friend?” he asked Maria.
“He is. In fact, we once considered marriage before his family crisis.”
“Huh… Then why was he here?”
“He is our friend, Roger,” Harry said firmly.
Chapter 32
Both Dorothy and Anna planned to go to their rooms to rest after tea. Even though they had slept fair enough at their stop the previous evening, they were exhausted from the two-day journey in the carriage.
As with many farming families, dinner was served early at the Stewart household.
“Dinner at six o’clock sharp,” Theodore announced as Anna and Dorothy were leaving after tea. “Breakfast from five o’clock, although as guests, we do not expect you before seven.”
The sisters exchanged glances as neither arose much before eight or eight-thirty. And for them, breakfast was at nine—at the very earliest.
They giggled between themselves as they headed up the stairs to their separate rooms.
“I might have to slip a dinner roll into my pocket to save for the morning,” Dorothy said, “For I shall never be able to make breakfast at seven o’clock.”
“I will try to make seven, and I shall save you a rasher or two of bacon to go with your roll.”
Anna left her sister, retiring to her room, and laid down for a rest. Before long, she drifted off to sleep but was awakened with the children running down the hallway outside her room shouting, “Dinnertime! Dinnertime!”
She sat on the edge of the bed. Perhaps that was the way dinner was announced in this household, but she thought it strange. She washed her face, brushed her hair, and slipped into her most comfortable shoes.
As she came out of her room, she saw Dorothy approaching, apparently also ready for dinner.
“The children are lively,” Anna said with a sly smile.
