Anna was surprised at Harry’s guest.
Harry said, “You remember, Miss Nora Fitzwalker from the dance the other night, do you not?”
“Of course… Miss Fitzwalker.”
Nora stood and smiled. “Yes, good day Miss Anna. Are you passing by?”
“Well, not exactly,” Anna said. “I had hoped to show Harry some of my drawings.”
“Ah, what a pity, as we are just about to go out to see the cattle. Then we are going fishing, are we not?” she asked, turning to Harry.
Harry seemed to be genuinely conflicted now. He stammered, “Well, yes… But I should like to see your drawings, Anna. However, I fear we must put those off for the time being. You see, I did promise…”
Anna felt a tightening in her stomach now. Her cheeks felt warm, perhaps she was also blushing. She recognized that she was feeling jealous of Miss Nora—but why? “No, no. Please do not let me interrupt. I can certainly come back another time.”
Nora went over to Harry and linked her arm through his. “I am so sorry you made this trip for nothing. But we were just leaving and I did make an appointment. So sorry.”
But to Anna, Nora did not seem to be at all sorry.
“Then if you will excuse me, I shall leave the two of you alone.” She started to leave but turned to Harry and asked, “And when might I be able to make an appointment to see you?”
Harry seemed greatly embarrassed. “Anna… I am sorry. Please, I shall be available any time tomorrow morning.”
“Then perhaps I might leave these for you to examine at your leisure?” She laughed. “Then you will not have me looking over your shoulder and panting with anticipation for your reply.”
Harry was amused and smiled. “I shall be happy to do that. And, as I said, come by tomorrow morning if you like and we can ride out and I can show you the well site.”
“That would be splendid.” Anna placed the portfolio on a table. “Good day Miss Nora… Harry.” And she left.
Chapter 13
As Anna was leaving, Harry stood for a moment looking after her. He felt such a rush of affection for her, and yes, desire. He realized the lovely Miss Nora was standing near him but all he could think about was Anna. However, he knew it was useless to think of Anna as a possible bride because he truly believed she was in love with Percy—his good friend Percy—and he would never betray his friend. So, once again, he needed to squelch his feelings for his dear friend, Anna, and he turned to Miss Nora.
“I am happy to see you are wearing sensible clothing, for we are to ride out now to see the cattle, and then, if the weather holds, you can try your hand at fly fishing.”
Miss Nora was oddly dressed in breeches. She waved her riding crop in the air and replied, “Yes, I thought we might be having a rough and tumble day, so I came prepared. I hope you do not mind, but I do not ride sidesaddle. I know it is considered unladylike, but I spent a great deal of my time in the country with my grandparents when I was growing up, and they have a lot of good land for riding. My brothers and I often rode for pleasure and I picked up their way of riding. I hope you do not find that shocking.”
“We are country folk here and are not as strict as the London city folk are about such matters. Please, think nothing of it.”
Nora took Harry by the arm and said, “Then shall we proceed?”
“One moment,” Harry said. He disengaged his arm from Nora and went over to Anna’s portfolio. “I just want to take a quick look.” He opened the portfolio and quickly scanned several of her drawings.
“Hmm. Most interesting,” he said to himself.
“Might you do that later?” she asked impatiently.
He looked up. “Oh. So very sorry. It is just… Never mind.” He extended his arm and offered her to leave first through the sitting room door. “After you.”
Harry noticed that Miss Nora was an excellent rider as they rode through the grazing fields and he pointed out the distinguishing features of his breed of cattle. She appeared to be interested and asked the kind of intelligent questions that another cattle breeder might ask.
As they moved amongst the cattle, Harry noticed that several cows in his heard were drooling, which was not normal, and it troubled him. He would need to come back later to examine the cows close up.
As they were leaving the field, Harry asked, “Are you still interested in trying your hand at fishing?”
“Of course,” she said with a big smile. “I have been looking forward to it ever since you suggested you might try to teach me.” She laughed. “I am not saying I shall be successful, but I should like to give it a go.”
Harry led in a gallop toward his fishing stream and Nora kept up all the way.
After securing the horses, Harry took two fishing rods out of his saddlebag and put them together.
“Now then, let us begin the instruction,” he said and led the way to the bank of the stream.
He showed her all that was necessary for her to begin by first showing her his technique, and then he put his rod down and stood beside her as she cast her first fly. He could not help but notice the very pleasing perfume she was wearing and how elegant she looked as she began to practice casting.
“Very good, Miss Nora,” he encouraged. “But see if you might cast a little further out. You see on the other bank there are a number of bubbles floating on the surface by that sunken log?”
“Yes.”
“Try to cast there if you can. It is an excellent spot for trout, as they like to hide under that downed tree and are likely to bite.”
She threw a couple of casts and the third one landed exactly right.
“Excellent. Now wait just a moment.”
And he no sooner said that, than Miss Nora let out a yelp and pulled hard on the line.
“I think I have one,” she squealed.
“Very well, give a yank and begin to reel it in.”
She became very excited and moved closer to the edge of the bank as she frantically reeled the trout toward her. Harry held the fishing net at the ready to secure the fish as it neared, but just as he was about to snag the fish, Nora slipped on the wet grass at the edge of the bank, and letting out a cry, twisted and fell into the stream with a terrific splash and a loud cry.
Harry waded in after her, grabbed her by the arm, and lifted her up.
“Oh, I think I hurt my ankle,” she pleaded as she tried to limp to the bank.
“One moment,” he said, as he picked her up into his arms and sloshed through the stream to the bank where he set her down on both feet while still supporting her.
“There. How does it feel?” He asked, as he stood next to her while she attempted to walk. But she collapsed against his shoulder and hung on to him.
“I don’t think I can,” She said with a pitiful look and a plaintive cry.
“Then let me help you. Do you think you can ride?”
“I think so.”
He picked her up again and she leaned her head against his shoulder as he carried her to her horse. He lifted her up and made certain she was secure in her saddle before letting go of her.
“Let me get the tackle and then I will accompany you home.”
“To your place?” she asked.
“No, to your grandparents. Is that not what you want?”
She appeared to hesitate, then said, “I should so like some tea and to dry myself off first before I go back to my grandparents. I would hate for them to think I am completely useless, falling into a stream on my first fishing lesson.” She smiled sweetly at him.
Harry laughed. “Very well… tea and a dry out. I think that can be arranged. And I shall send someone to fetch my doctor.”
“Oh, that will not be necessary. I think if I put my foot up for a short while, it shall improve greatly.”
“Very well. But I insist I accompany you back to your grandparents’ house after tea. I do not want you traveling alone. In fact, I will take you myself in my carriage. Your horse can follow behind.”
She looked at him with the softest eyes, “Oh, Your Lordship, you are so very kind.”
During that same afternoon, Christopher arrived at Repington Hall with his book for Miss Dorothy. He dismounted and went to the great front door and rang the bell which was shortly answered by Warrick.
“Good afternoon,” Christopher greeted.
“Good day, Mr. Stewart.”
“I know Miss Dorothy is indisposed but I wanted to drop this book off for her. We were discussing literature the other afternoon on my last visit and I thought she might enjoy reading this.”
“Miss Dorothy gave me instruction that if you should visit, I am to show you to the drawing room and she would be most honored if you would stay for tea.”
“But Miss Anna told me she is ill.”
“She has quite recovered. At least enough to welcome you.”
“How splendid. I am chuffed she is already recovered,” Christopher said stepping into the hall and being led by Warrick to the sitting room.
Christopher was admiring the view from one of the tall windows when Dorothy came in. He turned to her and was surprised to see that she looked perfectly beautiful. There was no sign of her illness.
“Miss Dorothy, I am greatly surprised and pleased to see you looking so well, as I saw your sister on my way over here and she informed me that you were under the weather.”
“I was, but am fully recovered, as you can see,” she said, twirling with her arms held out wide
Dorothy was wearing a cornflower blue dress with white trim which fitted her perfectly and set off her blonde curls.
“Yes, I certainly can see,” Christopher said with a wink.
“I did not expect to see you and I am delighted. Look, I brought a book I think you might enjoy. After our conversation the other afternoon, I thought you should have this. I went into Marlborough and found it at one of the local bookstores.”
“Oh, Mr. Christopher, you should not have gone to all that trouble.”
“But it was my great pleasure, Miss Dorothy.”
“Please have a seat. I have ordered tea and it should be here shortly.” Dorothy directed him to a comfortable chair across from her at a low tea table.
After being seated, and while they waited for the tea, Christopher handed Dorothy the book.
“Oh, splendid,” she said examining the title and a few of the first pages. “I do look forward to reading this.” She set the book on the arm of the chair. “I wish I was equally inspired with a book for you. But alas, I am not as knowledgeable about the latest books as you seem to be.”
“It is only by happenstance that I thought of this book for you. I am not able to read as often as I might like. I am kept busy with the estate, even as Harry is with his.”
“And when are you to return home?” she asked sadly.
“In three days and it saddens me greatly, as I shall then be separated from you.”
“Oh, Mr. Christopher, you are far too kind. I can hardly think my small influence can have any effect on you.”
Christopher scowled, “Please, Miss Dorothy, do not demean yourself. You have no idea how much you have come to mean to me, even in this short amount of time.”
She gave him her brightest smile. “Really? I have? Certainly, you are teasing me.”
“Not at all. I care for you more than you can imagine,” he said, and moved forward in his chair for greater emphasis.
At that moment, the tea was brought in and the ardent fervor, which was developing, subsided as the tea was served by the meticulous Warrick.
When he had finally left, Christopher asked, “Miss Dorothy, do I have any hope that you might be developing feelings for me in the same way I am developing feelings for you?”
She paused and looked at him with a gentle smile. “You have every right to hope, Mr. Christopher.”
“Might you call me Christopher and I call you Dorothy? Would that be too forward?”
“Not at all, Christopher.” She lowered her eyes and pouted. “But you will be leaving soon, and then what? When shall we ever see each other again? And especially as we live so far apart?”
“Might you consider visiting me and my family? You would be ever so welcome, and I could show you Dorset, and our estate. You could meet my mother and father and I could take you to a lovely seaside spot I know where there is a splendid beach for walking. Do you think you might enjoy that?”
“Oh, very much. But there are considerations?”
“And what might they be?”
“I cannot travel alone, and I do not know who could accompany me except for my dear sister. And I have no idea if she would be at liberty to travel.”
“Then we shall correspond and dream, and one day it will come to pass.”
“That would be lovely. I shall cherish every letter you send, and I shall reply immediately.”
“As will I.”
Harry chuckled to himself as he rode home after delivering Miss Fitzwalker to her grandparent’s house after tea and a great deal of his personal attention. He had to wonder if Miss Nora had really sprained her ankle or whether it was a ruse to garner sympathy and attention from him. Not that he minded all that much. Her obvious interest in him was flattering, but he recoiled against her attempts at manipulation. He could not help but notice the several times she walked quite normally when she forgot she was supposed to be limping.
He had not forgotten about the need to inspect his cattle, but when he returned back at the manor the first thing he wanted to do was look at Anna’s drawings and plans.
He went to the sitting room, retrieved the portfolio, and went to his study to examine what she had brought him.
He had to admit they were quite beautiful, but he was not commissioning a palace—just a well house. Her flights of fancy were marvelous but not at all practical for his modest needs. He would need to rein in her fanciful ideas. However, he did like several of the detailed designs and thought there might be ways to incorporate them into a more modest well housing.
Not long after he had finished reviewing the drawings, Christopher returned and sought Harry out in his study.
“Did you have a delightful afternoon with Miss Dorothy?” Harry asked with a wink, as he put Anna’s drawings back in the portfolio.
“Please, do not be coy about my darling Dorothy,” Christopher said a little defensively.
“Darling Dorothy is it now? Have things developed so far so quickly?”
“Oh, Harry, I believe I am quite in love,” Christopher said and raised his hands to the heavens like a supplicant.
“But you will be leaving soon and will have a time to cool down. I think it wise to give your infatuation more thought and more time.”
“You are heartless, Harry Buxton. A blaggard and an evil, evil man.”
Harry laughed. “Yes, I suppose that is quite true. However, caution is the greater part of valor, is it not? You can always return and see her again after you have cooled your heels for a time.”
“We are to write to each other. And I know that what I feel for her is true and lasting.”
“Then I am very pleased, old friend.”
Christopher stopped and studied his friend, before asking, “And what about her sister? It seemed to me that when I have seen you look at her, there is the very slightest hint of admiration. Now, she seems like the perfect lady for you—you old bachelor.”
Harry rarely blushed but he did now. “You have called me out. I do have feelings for her. No, more than feelings… love. I cannot tell you how much I care for her, but she cares for another, and it is a dear friend. I would not for the whole world do anything to jeopardize either my friendship with my friend, nor my deep regard for Anna by declaring my love to her.”
“Then you are a fool, Harry Buxton.”
Chapter 14
Aunt Agatha had hinted and teased all through dinner. She flirted with her family about her stories but promised a full accounting after dinner was over when the family was comf
ortably settled in the drawing room where they could focus their full attention on her.
After coffee was served, Agatha stood and announced, “My dears are you ready to be swept away by my tales of romance and adventure?”
“Dear Aunt, you know we are,” Maria said sarcastically.
“Excellent.” She turned to Chilton who was seated in a chair near where she was standing. “You may correct me if I veer off course.”
The Scandalous Saga of the White Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 9