Roger was just a little older than Harry. He was a strong man, tanned from a great deal of exposure to the sun and with a very warm and pleasing smile. His deep blue eyes focused on Maria and he bowed slightly. “What a great pleasure to meet you, Miss Maria. Is this your first time at the Winchester fair?”
“It is,” Maria said, blushing, as she took his hand and he leaned over and kissed it. “I assume you come every year?”
“Every year. But it is not far, as my estate is close to the nearby town of Stockbridge.”
“Are you here to dine?” Harry asked.
“I am.”
“Then will you join us?”
“I would be most pleased to.”
“Is your wife with you?” Maria asked.
“I am not married. I live on the family estate with a sister, my brother, who works with me, and my father. My mother passed away some time ago.” He smiled sweetly as he asked. “And your husband? Is he also a cattle breeder?”
“I live with Harry at home. I am not yet married either,” she said lowering her eyes.
Harry raised his hand and signaled to the waiter to bring another place setting, a chair, and another bottle of wine.
After being seated, and placing his dinner order, Roger took out his pocket watch which chimed when he opened it.
“What a charming watch,” Maria said, “Is it a family heirloom?”
“It was my great-grandfather’s. It is very special to me.” He turned to Harry and asked, “Did you bring any livestock to the show this year?”
“No. We had an incident recently and I decided to keep it simple this year.”
“Incident?”
Harry explained the loss of a few of his cattle and the circumstances.
“What a dastardly act! Did you shoot the culprit?”
Harry laughed. “The man responsible was a neighbor and a member of the peerage. It did not seem appropriate at the time.”
Roger laughed. “Wiltshire sounds like the wild west of America. Do you feel safe there, Miss Maria?” he asked, turning to her with a teasing smile.
“Quite safe. It was an aberration, I assure you.”
At that point, dinner was served, and the conversation drifted to less controversial topics, but Harry was delighted to see Maria warm up to his friend, Roger. She seemed to be her old happy self again.
After dinner, the evening was still young, and Roger suggested a stroll around the city’s square. “There is a shop that sells the most delightful ice cream—if you care about such things?”
“I should like that,” Maria said. “Harry, may we?”
“I do not see why not. We recently had a very hot spell, and I must say, ice cream crossed my mind more than once or twice.”
Maria gave Harry a furtive look, and a shake of her head, which he took to mean she should like to walk out with Mr. Dillon alone.
Harry was happy to oblige. “Roger, you know, I think I might excuse myself this evening. I am feeling the need to study the catalogue for tomorrow’s opening. Why not the two of you go ahead? Maria, I shall see you on your return. Enjoy yourselves.”
Roger said, “I am certain we shall. And Harry…”
“Yes?”
“Perhaps we might meet sometime during the fair. I have a number of issues I would like to discuss with you.”
“Would be happy to. And let me ask, do you have any animals for sale this year?”
“I do. Catch me tomorrow morning after breakfast and let’s talk.”
Harry saluted his friend and headed toward their room.
“What a refreshing evening,” Maria said, as she and Roger stepped out of the hotel onto the street.
“Delightful.” Roger offered his arm. “Then you do not know Winchester?”
“Harry and I explored some of the shops this afternoon, but that is all I know so far.”
“The square is this way.”
They headed to the charming town square and began walking. Maria was intrigued to see so many shops still open this time of night.
“I assume neither your brother nor your father came with you to the fair?” she asked.
“Correct. We have quite a large number of cattle and we felt we could only spare one of us to come this year.”
Maria pointed ahead. “That must be the ice cream shop.”
“It is. Are you ready for some yet?”
“I should like to walk a little more first. It is such a lovely evening.”
“And you, Miss Maria, how do you occupy your time in Wiltshire?”
“Harry manages the estate and I manage the household. We work well together, but we both work hard, so coming away to Winchester for a few days is a great treat for me.”
Roger hesitated but asked, “And do you have a young man in your life? Might there be an engagement any time soon.”
That gave Maria pause and she felt a twinge of pain as she thought of her last meeting with Percy.
“Not at present. There was a young man, but unfortunately his family is in difficulty and he is unable to make an offer of marriage.”
“That must be sad for you.”
She looked up at him and sadly smiled. “We cannot always choose where life leads us.”
Roger patted her hand. “Then I know of a very delicious strawberry ice cream that will soothe away your cares.”
“Strawberry? That might be nice, but I would rather have chocolate.”
“Then chocolate it shall be.”
Maria had thought to remain at the hotel the next morning as the fair got underway, but Harry insisted she join him, and she was happy she did. There was a lot of activity at the fair besides the cattle. There were jugglers, hawkers of various foods and wares, and a strolling band that played lively music. Maria was quite enjoying herself.
Harry finally led her to the pen where Roger had his cattle, and she climbed onto the fence and sat watching Harry and Roger negotiate the price of a couple of cows Harry wanted to buy.
Finally, they slapped hands and shook on their deal and Harry came over to her and hopped on to the fence and sat next to her.
“Did you get the price you wanted?” Maria asked.
“Close enough. And the good part is, Roger is going to bring the cattle to me.” Harry leaned in and whispered. “But I think what he really wants is to see you again. And I invited him to stay on with us for a few days. Does that please you?”
“I would not object,” she said with a huge smile.
“You like Roger, then?”
“Perhaps. We shall have to see. I do find him interesting. But, of course, he has one major drawback.”
“And what is that?”
“He breeds cattle,” she said and laughed.
Maria was pensive as she and Harry returned toward home in their carriage at the end of the fair. It has been a success for Harry as he purchased three cows to replace several that had been lost in the attack. For Maria, it was freeing to get away for a few days from the pressures of her daily routine. She had had a great deal of fun with Harry at the fair and enjoyed exploring Winchester. But she had to admit, perhaps the best part was meeting Roger Dillon. Not that she had feelings for him, but he was handsome, attentive, and he seemed to be interested in her. She had only been half joking when she said a drawback was that he was a cattle breeder. She knew what that life was like and was not certain she wanted to commit the rest of her life to that lifestyle on a permanent basis.
As they neared home, Harry asked, “Do you think we shall find our house still standing?”
Maria looked askance at him. “Why ever would we not?”
“Perhaps all the staff has run away, and the Duke has burned the house to the ground.”
“Oh, Harry, what a fanciful idea. Really, you can be quite ridiculous at times.”
“I did enjoy myself at the fair though. It was good to get away for a time.”
“It was. But it is going to be quiet when we get back with Christopher returned home, Aunt Agat
ha and Mr. Oakley gone, and Anna and Dorothy about to set off on their trip to Dorset. We shall be quite alone.”
“We always have each other,” Harry reminded her.
“We should visit Anna and Dorothy before they leave,” Maria said but glanced at Harry. “Unless it pains you to see her, knowing Percy is courting her.”
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 that your Percy is courting my Anna. 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.”
Percy replied with a wan smile.
“I hope his visit will not coincide with our trip to Dorset,” Anna said. “If he should visit after we return, then we must arrange a dinner party. Dorothy and I would be pleased to meet him.”
“Miss Maria,” Percy said, “I am happy you had an agreeable trip. I know you seldom get away. It must have been refreshing for you.”
“I was telling Harry I should like to travel more often, but it is difficult for us to get away with our many responsibilities.”
Harry was having a difficult time maintaining his smile and his patience as Maria had suggested. He asked Anna, “Now that the memorial service is over are you able to settle down again, or are you still dealing with issues about the estate?”
That sobered Anna somewhat, but she replied, “It is taking time to sort everything out, but we will be meeting with the solicitor before we leave and hopefully we can get most issues settled then.”
“If you need any assistance or advice, please feel free to call upon me.” But he felt stupid saying that. He needed to disengage from her, not engage even further. He must learn to leave well enough alone.
“Thank you, but I believe almost everything is in hand.”
Percy stood. “Miss Anna, I really must go. I have paid my respects and wished you and your sister a good trip, and I trust you will tell me all about your visit on your return.”
Anna stood and walked him to the door. “Thank you, Mr. Percy. It was very kind of you to call. I shall tell Dorothy of your good wishes.”
Just as they were to reach the door, it opened, and Dorothy appeared from her walk, her bonnet in her hand and her face flush from the fresh air.
“Oh, hello… guests. My gracious, if I had known…” She held up an armful of flowers. “And look what I found along the byway. Are they not lovely?” She handed several flowers to each of the guests, ending with Percy who was just about to leave. “I am so happy. We are off to see my darling Christopher in just a few days. La… I could dance all the way there if it would not be so tiring.”
Percy took her hand and kissed it. “And a very happy voyage, Miss Dorothy.”
She touched the end of his nose. “Thank you, Mr. Percy. I shall.”
That surprised him and for some reason he teared up and covered his face.
Harry could see that Maria witnessed that and he saw the look of concern on her face.
“I am sorry. I really must go,” he mumbled and rushed out.
Maria followed after him.
Dorothy was surprised. “Is everything all right? Did I interrupt something?”
Anna said, “Everyone seems to be a little emotional this afternoon. But it is nothing serious.”
“Very well then,” she said unfazed by everyone else’s drama. “I shall find water for these flowers and then I am ready for tea.” She turned and danced out of the room.
Harry and Anna were alone, and he did not know what to say to her.
“Do you think Maria is seriously interested in that young man from the fair?” she asked, as she sat down and gestured for Harry to sit as well.
“Perhap
s. But it was a very short encounter and far too early to know.”
“I should so like her to be happy. And I feel badly that Percy has pivoted his attentions to me and away from her.”
“She is being very adult about it. And now that she has interest from my friend, Roger, I do believe it relieves the sting somewhat.”
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