“I shall keep that in mind.” Maria then gave a wry smile and teased, “And who will be your gentleman of choice for the evening?”
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. “I am excited, 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.
“Well, you will see more cattle before the dance, I can assure you. I am in our prime calving season right now and have delivered about half of what we are expecting in the next few weeks.”
“I should like to see your operation. I know it is different than mine, but I have been hearing good things about how highly valued your prize animals are.”
“Do you know the Kerry breed?” Harry asked.
“I have seen a few at fairs, but do not know much more than that.”
“Oh, hello,” Maria said with some surprise as she came into Harry’s study. “I did not know your friend had arrived already,” she said to her brother. “I am Harry’s sister, Maria,” she said going over and allowing Christopher to take her hand.
Standing, Christopher said, “And I am Christopher Stewart. Such a pleasure to meet you Miss Maria,” he said, obviously appreciating her good sturdy looks.
“I see you are both enjoying each other’s company so I shall leave you.” She turned to Harry. “Dinner at seven?”
“That will be fine,” he answered. “If we are a few minutes late, it is only because another calf has arrived, and I am dealing with that.”
Maria nodded. “Mr. Stewart, we customarily have drinks in the drawing room before dinner. I will see you again later.” She turned and left the study.
“What a pleasure to meet your sister. And is there another charming young lady in your life?” Christopher asked.
Harry prevaricated for a moment. “There is someone I greatly admire, but she does not know it.”
“Oh, and why not?”
“Our families have been close for many years, and somehow we feel more like brother and sister. And she has never shown any interest in me, so I have taken a step backward.”
Christopher gave a strange look. “That seems harsh. If you feel something for her, why not speak up?”
“Hmm. To be honest, I am so busy all the time I never have much occasion to deal with my personal feelings. I know it is a lame excuse, but there you are. Perhaps one day.”
“You had better act before someo
ne else snatches her up. And then you will truly be sorry.”
“I will consider your advice. But, for the moment, I shall take you to the barn and we can see if my most pregnant cow is ready to give birth.”
Christopher laughed. “Harry Buxton, you are a strange fellow. But if that is your priority, then let us proceed.”
Maria, Anna, and Dorothy were in the Manor pantry examining possible containers for flowers.
“Oh, they are lovely,” Dorothy exclaimed. “I do love the Chinese vases. How many are there?”
“Half a dozen or so. But we have many more vases of various solid colors that go well with the Chinese ones,” Maria added.
“Here is what I found in your garden. I think combinations of these will make splendid arrangements.” Dorothy said, placing a number of individual stems of flowers she had picked from the Manor garden on a pantry table.
“Are there enough, do you think?” Anna asked, “Or should we bring some from our garden as well?”
Dorothy thought for a moment. “Have you calculated how many arrangements you will need?” she asked Maria.
The back entrance to the Manor led through the pantry, and just at that moment, the back door opened, and Harry and Christopher came tromping inside.
“Hello, ladies,” Christopher removed his hat and gave them a large smile.
Maria introduced. “Mr. Stewart, these are my friends who are helping with the dance. This is Miss Dorothy Hoskins, and Miss Anna Hoskins. Obviously, sisters.”
“Ladies, a great pleasure,” Christopher took each of their hands and kissed them. But he hesitated as he took Anna’s hand, smiled a little longer, and seemed reluctant to let go.
Anna had to be the one to withdraw her hand, and she blushed. “Mr. Stewart, will you be attending our event?”
“I most certainly will,” he insisted, and continued to gaze at her.
“Excuse us, Maria,” Harry said. “We did not mean to interrupt your work.”
“But I am glad we did,” Christopher said, and smiled at Anna. “Might you promise me your first dance, Miss Anna? I should be so grateful.”
Anna studied this young man. “I might be persuaded to. If you can keep up,” she teased, enjoying the banter.
“And you, Miss Dorothy, might I reserve the second dance with you?”
“I believe that will be convenient. But we are going to be much less formal than a formal ball and are not to have dance cards. So we shall see on the evening.”
Harry nudged Christopher. “Come along, old fellow. Leave the ladies to their decorating.”
Christopher laughed. “I am so happy I shall be here for the dance. I am certain it will be a delightful evening.”
“We intend it to be, Mr. Stewart,” Maria said, amused by the encounters.
The gentlemen left, and the three ladies looked at each other and giggled.
Shortly after their encounter with the gentlemen, the ladies were in the dining hall deciding where the flowers would go and what sort of arrangements would go on the dining table so as not to obscure the view of the guests.
“I hate it when I wish to hold a discussion with the person across from me at the table, but we cannot talk because a large flower arrangement obstructs our view,” Dorothy said, as she set a bowl on the table that would hold a low arrangement of flowers.
“I think in those instances you converse with the gentlemen on either side,” Anna reminded her.
“Oh, poo. What if I like neither? I want to be able to speak to whomever I like.”
Maria seemed to find Dorothy amusing. “Then I shall let you design the table flowers. I want you to have a delightful evening.”
“Why, thank you, Maria,” Dorothy replied.
“Excuse me, ladies…” Christopher had appeared at the dining hall door. “Might I have a private word with you, Miss Anna?”
Anna was surprised by the request but went over to him. “You wish to speak to me?”
Christopher seemed a little nervous and put his hands in his pockets as he struggled with what to say.
“Miss Anna, I do not know how your afternoon is planned, but I should feel greatly honored if you would accompany me on a walk later when you are free.”
“A walk?”
“Yes, just around the garden. It is such a beautiful afternoon, and I thought we might converse a little. I should like to get to know you better, and I will not be here for long. I would like to converse with you some before the evening of the dance.”
Anna was both flattered and surprised. She tilted her head sideways. “I would not mind. It is a lovely afternoon and it might be refreshing to walk in the garden shade.”
“Oh, excellent…” He said but just stood looking at her.
She turned her head slightly indicating she was expecting him to say more, but when he did not she asked, “And the time and place?”
“Oh… yes. Perhaps before tea?” He checked his pocket watch. “Shall we say three o’clock?”
He did not say more, so she asked, “And where?”
“I shall find you.”
“Very well. Thank you, Mr. Stewart. I look forward to our walk.”
“Yes. Yes. Thank you. Thank you,” he said while he awkwardly backed away from her through the door before turning.
When he was gone, Anna turned back to the other ladies and they all started laughing together.
Promptly at three o’clock, Mr. Stewart appeared in the large salon where the dance was to be held. The ladies had moved there to discuss the flowers for the small tables that would surround the room for the guests to sit between dances.
“Miss Anna, are you free now?”
“I am, Mr. Stewart, and have been expecting you.”
Anna joined Christopher. They left by the main entrance and soon found a comfortably shaded walk through a wilder and less formal part of the garden.
They walked in silence for a few moments before Anna asked, “And where are you from, Mr. Stewart?”
“I am from Dorset, Miss Anna. I raise cattle like Harry does, but it is a modest operation and I work with my father who owns the estate.”
“Do you have siblings?”
“Two sisters and a brother. I am the eldest.”
“And how do you know Harry?”
“We were at Oxford together. We were friends and stayed in touch. But I am also here to see his cattle. They are a fine breed and I have been considering perhaps purchasing a breeding pair.”
Anna was amused that Christopher seemed to be talking around what he might really want to say. So she asked, “And do you have a wife or a fiancé?”
That seemed to focus Christopher and he said, “No, Miss Anna, I do not. And I wanted to ask about you.”
They had come to a small stream that wandered through the garden where there was a bench in the shade.
As it was a very warm afternoon, she took a handkerchief from her sleeve and patted her brow. “And what did you wish to ask me?”
“Are you engaged or seeing someone?” he asked shyly.
“No, Mr. Stewart, I am not.”
“There is no one who interests you?”
“I would not say that. There is a young gentleman, but I do not believe he has set his heart on me.”
“I see,” he said and hesitated before saying, “I know I shall not be here long, but I have found you to be a most charming and compatible young lady and I would like to ask if you… if you would do me the honor of corresponding with me after I leave?”
Anna thought about that a moment. “It is possible. But let us enjoy the dance evening first. You might find someone more to your liking and then you would feel obligated to write me, and I would not want that.”
Christopher smiled. “As you might, as well.”
Anna laughed. “I already know most of the guests who will be attending the evening and expect no surprises.”
“Then I look forward to the first and perhaps many dances with you, Miss Anna.”
Anna smiled. “Mr. Christopher.” She nodded and stood to be escorted back to the house. “Now, I really must join Maria and my sister. And I believe it is almost tea time.”
Chapter 5
Anna and Dorothy had been to Marlborough, shopped for the day, and were back just in time for tea. They were in Anna’s chambers with their purchases strewn across her bed for further examination.
The Scandalous Saga of the White Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 3