Percy looked startled. “What?”
But instead of being stricken by the news Harry imparted, Percy seemed pensive and even had the faintest smile.
“I must go see them. Do you know if they are receiving?”
Harry was puzzled by Percy’s mild reaction. “Not that I know of. Anna reached out to me because our families are so close. I know they are planning a memorial service, as I am to help organize it, but you might want to give them a few days before you visit.”
“Hmm,” Percy said thoughtfully. “You must excuse me, old man, but I really…”
And he turned and walked toward the front of the Manor where he had left his horse. This left Harry feeling somewhat bewildered and puzzled.
Chapter 17
Percy searched the house for his father, finally finding him in his chambers in his dressing gown.
“Father, you are not dressed yet? It is almost noon.”
“Late night. I had some business that took me afar and I did not want to spend any money on an inn, so I rode through most of the night to get home.” The Duke studied his son. “What? You look like you have a burr up your arse. What is it?”
“I have some very interesting news,” he said and stepped closer.
Arnold picked up the cup of tea he had been drinking when Percy entered. “Well, what are you waiting for—a gilt edge invitation? Spill.”
“The Viscount Repington has been lost at sea.”
“Lost? Has the ship strayed?”
“No. Lost as in dead.”
“Very well. Boo hoo. There.”
“Father, you are completely missing the point.”
“I must be. What is that to us?”
Percy shook his head. “The Viscount had no sons. It means the daughters will inherit the estate.”
Then Arnold got it. “Ah… Marriageable daughters. Yes, I see what you mean. And any idea what the estate is worth?” he asked, his eyes lighting up.
“There is some considerable amount of land. But as to what the old man was worth, I have no idea. However, he was a bigwig in the East India Company. He is bound to be worth a pretty penny or two, think you not?”
Arnold began to pace. “Excellent. Then this might just save you from having to go to London in search of a bride. Much better to find your match close to home. Which of the daughters do you think?”
“Anna. I happen to know she is quite taken with me. She has been harboring feelings for me for some time.”
“And how do you know this?”
“Harry seems to know.”
“Then you must go over there immediately and pay her a visit. See what you can find out about what the old man was worth. Strike while the iron is hot.”
“Harry thinks I should wait a day or two before I pay my respects. It being only today they learned of their loss.”
“Nonsense. Go. Now. Waste not a moment. Every hungry treasure seeker in the county will be lining up to woo her.”
Percy wagged his head. “If you think it best.”
Percy had dressed in black and was standing at the Hoskins’ front door. Warrick responded to the knock.
“Mr. Percy, how may I assist you?”
“I have come to pay my respects to Miss Anna,” Percy said maintaining a grave air.
“I assume you have heard the terrible news.”
“I have.”
“The ladies are not receiving at this sad moment. They are requesting privacy for the next couple of days. I am so sorry.” Warrick started to close the door.
“Please, Warrick, let me see Anna for just a short moment. I feel certain she will want to see me if she knows I have called.”
Warrick hesitated but said, “I will enquire if she will receive you. Come in.”
Percy waited in the entryway while the butler went to find Anna. He seemed to be gone a long while, but eventually returned.
“She will see you. Please wait in here,” and Warrick led Percy to the small drawing room.
Presently Anna appeared wearing a black shawl over a dark dress.
“You must excuse me, Mr. Percy, but my sister and I are being measured for our mourning clothes. I was not expecting any visitors. We were not aware our tragedy had become public knowledge already.”
“I am truly sorry to intrude at this devastating time, but I could not keep away. I feel your loss as gravely as you do.”
Anna studied Percy with a very faint smile. “I appreciate your concern. Thank you. But how did you learn of our misfortune?”
“I went to visit Harry, and because he knows of my great regard for you and your sister, he felt he should tell me.”
“I see,” Anna said. She held out her hand and indicated Percy might sit.
“Is there any way I can be of any assistance?” he asked with the utmost delicate solicitation.
Anna hung her head and was silent for a moment. “I can think of nothing at the moment. Harry is helping me organize the service.”
“And what about legal or financial help? I imagine your father handled all those matters.”
“Not at all. He was gone so often and for so long, he taught me all that I needed to know, and he put the family’s affairs in my hands.”
“I see,” he said quietly, thwarted for the moment from finding out what he wanted to know. “How is your sister bearing up?”
“Well enough. Mr. Stewart has been most attentive to her leading up to the tragedy and she finds comfort in him.”
“And you? Where do you find your comfort?”
Anna looked up at him and he thought he could detect the flicker of a smile. “My sister and I find our comfort in each other.”
But Percy could not help but feel he might be able to break through to her. “Miss Anna, I know this is not the proper moment, but I want you to understand that I have intense feelings toward you.”
That seemed to startle her. “You have never expressed such feelings to me before.”
He had to scramble, then said, “That is because of my shyness, Miss Anna. But that does not mean I have not held these feelings for some time.”
She smiled fully. “I was completely unaware. But now…”
“I know this is not the time, but now that I have been able to express my feelings to you, I hope, with all my heart, that you might be able to find similar feelings for me.”
“As you say, this is not the time. But I am happy to have your expression of affection. I will hold that and take comfort from that knowledge.”
Now Percy believed he had broken through to her, but he still did not have the information he needed. Were the daughters blessed with a fortune from their father or not? He needed to know whether to pursue her further or whether it was a waste of time. However, without that information, he was stalled. And he knew it would be totally inappropriate to push any farther at this moment.
His best source of information would be Harry, for as a close family friend, he believed Anna told him everything. Eventually, he would secure the information he needed.
Percy stood, went over to her, and took her hands. “I shall keep you no longer. Please pass my deepest sympathy along to your sister. And remember, if there is any way I may be of help, please let me know. I shall keep you forever in my heart.”
“Thank you for your visit and your offer. It means a great deal to me.”
Soon after Percy left, Maria appeared at Repington Hall and was immediately admitted. She had decided she did not want to wait to go with Christopher after lunch.
“The sisters are in Miss Anna’s chambers being fitting for their mourning dresses,” Warrick said. “She said you were to go right up if you arrived.”
“Thank you,” Maria said, and she took the steps two at a time as she rushed to Anna’s rooms.
Anna was at that moment being measured by Mrs. Thompson, the dressmaker, when Maria entered. Anna broke free from the measuring tape and threw herself into Maria’s arms.
“Anna, Anna…” Maria soothed.
Anna began to cry. “This is the first I have cried,” she sobbed. “I am so happy to see you.”
“Dearest, dearest.” Maria ran her hands over Anna’s back as she hugged her. Soon all three were in tears as that had set off Dorothy on a crying jag.
Finally, Maria pulled herself together, withdrew from the embrace, and took Anna’s hands. “Harry has told Christopher and me the circumstances of your father’s death, so there is no need to go through the telling of it again.”
Dorothy became excited and asked, “Is Christopher coming to see me? I asked Harry to invite him.”
“He most certainly is. Harry suggested he come after lunch to give the two of you more time before you receive guests—but I could not wait.”
“You are family, Maria,” Anna said, “And I sorely needed to see you. Thank you for coming.” She smiled slightly. “But you are not the first guest. Percy came by earlier, dressed in black and looking ever so grave. Pun intended.”
“What did he want?” Dorothy asked.
“He came to pay his respects. He said Harry had told him of our misfortune.”
“But that was quick. Harry only just recently told him.” Maria said.
Anna was being measured again when she said, “But that is not all.”
“What else?”
“He let me know he had feelings for me. Said he had been too shy to tell me before.”
Maria guffawed. “Percy shy? That is a laugh. He is the least shy person I have ever known.” But that was not what really surprised Maria for she believed Percy had been courting her.
“It certainly surprised me, dear Maria, for I thought the two of you were sweet on each other. Has there been a change in your circumstances?”
“Not that I am aware of,” Maria said softly, but started to have a suspicion as to what Percy might be up to. “But this is no time for thoughts of romance. How might I best help you in these coming days?”
Anna turned to Dorothy and asked, “My dear Sister, might I call upon you and Maria to organize the funeral reception. Of course, cook and Warrick will manage all the details, but I should like the event to be less somber than most post-funeral receptions. I feel we should celebrate Father’s life, not his death.”
“What about Indian food? And perhaps a string quartet. That might liven things up a little,” Maria suggested.
“I do like that, but I am not certain all of our guests will be tolerant of Indian food. Maybe some English fare as well. Let each guest choose for themselves. What do you say, Dorothy?”
Dorothy was frowning and gazing down at her hands. “Oh, must I? Really, Anna, I do not feel at all like organizing anything. I am far too bereft to take on such a task.”
Maria teased, “And if Christopher were to be helping you instead of me, might your answer be different?”
Dorothy looked up at Maria and scowled. “That is unfair.”
“Perhaps, perhaps not,” Anna concluded.
Warrick appeared at the door at that moment and announced, “Lunch is ready ladies if you feel up to it.”
“Will you join us, Maria?” Anna asked.
“Yes, I should like that.”
Anna addressed Warrick again. “And please send a tray for Mrs. Thompson. We are not finished with our dresses just yet.”
Chapter 18
Soon after Maria left to visit the Hoskins sisters, Harry went to visit the vicar and made arrangements for the memorial service. But riding back from the church he found himself again thinking about his kiss with Anna. There was no question it was time for him to be married and Miss Nora had made it obvious she wanted to be considered as a candidate. And while Miss Nora was suitable in many ways, he could not make the leap necessary to court her openly, for Anna had given him the faintest glimmer of hope earlier that morning that she might be susceptible to his overtures once the proper term of mourning had passed.
When he returned home, he sought out Christopher, finding him writing a letter in the library.
“Here you are,” Harry said, coming over to the writing desk and sitting opposite.
“Oh, Harry, I was looking for you everywhere. Where have you been?” Christopher asked.
“Making arrangements at the church for the Viscount’s memorial service. Anna asked me to help her with that matter.”
“Oh, exactly what I needed to know. When is the service to be held?”
“On the Wednesday after next.”
“Then would it be a terrible inconvenience if I were to request to stay on at Creassey until after the service? I should like to be here for Dorothy. I know this must be a terribly difficult time for her.”
“Of course, you are always welcome any time and for as long as you like. You know that. And it is a very kind gesture.”
Christopher smiled shyly, “Well, my motive is not entirely unselfish. You know I have fallen quite hard for the lovely Dorothy and I want to spend as much time as I can with her, before I must return home.”
Harry laughed. “I surmised as much. But I shall put you to work in the meantime. I have not finished birthing all the cows and you can be my helper.”
“How exciting. And I have not yet had the opportunity to ask about the result of Dr. Carson’s visit this morning. What did he say?”
“The sick cattle are improving. He thinks within a week all will be well.”
“And there are no other cattle developing symptoms?”
“We did not check on that.”
Christopher offered, “I can help you with that later… after I have visited with Dorothy. I need to pay my respects.”
“Of course. It is almost lunch time. Do you know if Maria has returned yet?”
“Not that I am aware of.”
“Then it will be just us two. Come.”
“Let me just finish this letter to my parents. I need to inform them I will not be home as was scheduled.”
“Take your time. And, if I might ask, will you please tell the sisters about the arrangements I have made for the service? I do not plan to go over there this afternoon.”
Christopher nodded. “I will be happy to.”
Christopher was excited to see Dorothy, but he knew she would be upset and perhaps not as open to him as previously. Death was always a complicated and delicate event and he had not had a great deal of experience in dealing with the grieving part. However, he knew he was expected and he hoped that Dorothy would not be in a constant state of tears. He was never very good at dealing with crying women.
When he arrived at Repington Hall, he was admitted and asked to wait in the sunny conservatory room at the back of the house. He had not visited in this room before and he found it to be pleasant.
Dorothy appeared presently, but was, fortunately, dry-eyed.
“Dearest,” he said standing and holding out his hands to her.
She came to him, put her arms around him, and burst into tears again. Not what he expected. He patted her back and said, “I am so terribly sorry to hear of your misfortune. Please accept my condolences.”
She immediately stopped crying and looked up at him. “Thank you, Christopher, you are so comforting.” She felt self-conscious and took a step away. “You must forgive me. We will not have our mourning dresses for the next day or two. I hope you will not think me callous.”
“Never, my sweet. But come… sit. I want to know how you are doing and tell me if there is anything I can do to help you in your time of sorrow.”
She led him to a loveseat where they sat and she sat holding his hand.
“Just having you near me is the greatest comfort of all.”
“Then let me tell you I have decided to stay on here until your father’s memorial service.”
Dorothy’s face lit up, but then darkened. “But I have no idea when that is to be.”
“Harry arranged it for the Wednesday after next. He told me to inform you and Anna.”
“Thank you. And how happy it makes me to think you will be here until then. I hope we
shall see each other every day.”
“But my dearest, you are in mourning.”
Dorothy lowered her eyes. “Is it very wicked of me to want to see my dearest every day when we shall soon be separated for who knows how long?” She looked up at him with pleading eyes and added, “I cannot see how it would matter to anyone sensible, considering how much we care for each other and how far apart we shall be.”
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