Chapter 24
Sitting with her mother and Aunt Agatha in her mother’s chambers, Maria asked, “Are you certain?”
Her mother replied, “If we go slowly and do not travel too long each day, I believe I shall not tire too much. I should like to see London again.”
“But it will be a long carriage ride. And ever since the accident, you have shunned carriages.”
Mother nodded. “That is true, but I cannot become a hermit for the rest of my life. And dear Agatha assures me London will be bright and glittering and a great contrast to my quiet life at Creassey.”
“I promise we shall make the ride as comfortable for you as possible,” Agatha assured her.
“But the memorial service is coming up. Do you not want to stay for that? The Viscount was such a good friend of our family,” Maria suggested.
Leah sighed. “He was, but you and Harry will be quite sufficient to represent our family. Unless you think it would be rude of me to leave.”
“And there is no need for me to attend,” Aunt said, “I never knew the old man.” She addressed her sister, “But it is up to you, my dear. If you feel you need to stay… well…. However, it would mean missing the opening of the Paul Sandby watercolor exhibition, which I am certain you would enjoy.”
Maria spoke up. “I really think you should stay for the service, Mother. It is only right—our two families being so close.”
Leah turned to her daughter. “You are right. Yes, I will go to London right after the memorial service. Autumn will soon be upon us and I would like to be home again before it turns too cold.”
Maria added, “You will be gone, and Harry and I must go to the cattle fair shortly. There will be nobody home.” She chuckled, “Then I expect all of the staff will become lazy and start lying abed of a morning.”
“Then let them. They deserve a little vacation as well. Give them all time off.”
“Who will become lazy?” Harry asked as he came into his mother’s room.
“Ah, Harry…” Aunt Agatha said, “We are planning our escape from Creassey with your mother, and I am certain you shall be vastly relieved to get rid of your, far too long-term, house guests.”
“Never, Aunt Agatha. You are always welcome and always amusing. Even if I do not fully believe all of your far-fetched stories.”
“Nonsense, every single word I say is completely true. I may embellish just the tiniest little bit, but I swear on my diamond necklace that I never tell a lie.”
“Be careful, I hope your diamonds do not turn to ashes,” he teased.
“Oh, be careful dear nephew… teasing your old aunt like that, you only bring shame on yourself.”
“I shall take the risk,” he said, leaning over and kissing the top of her head.
Harry felt badly that he had been so harsh about Percy to Anna. Even though it was true, he knew he had no business trying to influence her against the man she cared for. Yes… he had to admit that some of his motive for telling her was his desire to have her for himself. Now, he wanted to make amends and he rode over to Repington to see her again.
After being admitted to the house, he was directed to her father’s study.
“Anna,” he greeted as he entered. “I have come to apologize for the other day. I realize it was not my place to chastise you over Percy. You have every right to accept his suit if that is what you wish. Can you forgive me?” Harry stood before her with his head bowed slightly.
She considered his words. “I have taken to heart what you told me. I have not accepted it as true, but I will give your advice consideration. Dorothy and I are to go visit Christopher’s family after the memorial service. I want to meet his family and I want to get away from Wiltshire for a time. I feel I need a break and an opportunity to think and consider what I want to do next. This has been a period of turmoil, and so much has been happening, that I feel the need to breathe on my own. To take walks under a different sky and see if I can make sense of what might lie ahead.”
“I am happy to hear that. And one of the reasons I have come to visit you today is to discuss the well house with you. We had planned to meet so that I might show you where the well is and discuss your drawings—which were very fine, by the way.”
“Thank you, but with the recent developments I have not given much thought to the well.”
“Yes, I expect you have not. But is it something you still wish to do, or do your new responsibilities preclude you building my well house?”
Anna stood and came around the desk. She went to the study window and watched a flock of birds swoop and glide over the garden.
“My situation has changed, Harry.”
“Then you are no longer interested in building anything?”
She turned to him. “Quite the contrary. I am even more interested. Now that I shall have control of my own money I can design and build what I like. I have long had a desire to build a wonderful, monumental entrance gate, a folly, or assorted other structures here at Repington. And now I can do that… or will be able to eventually.
Harry smiled, “I expect my small well house will no longer interest you then.”
She returned his smile. “I would not say that. But I might need to fit you in amongst my other noble projects.” She laughed lightly.
“I quite understand. But most importantly, might you be able to forgive my intrusion into your life the other day when I was presumptive enough to suggest how you should live your life.”
“I know you meant well,” she said.
But Harry could not help himself. Standing alone with her like this reminded him of his impetuous kiss not that long ago. He wanted to grab her, take her in his arms and kiss her passionately again. He took a step forward but stopped. However, she looked up at him and their eyes locked and he could sense that she somehow intuited what he felt. And for a brief moment it looked to him as though she would positively respond.
But as quickly as the moment came, it also passed, she turned away, and said, “I will not be able to think of anything but the memorial service for the next few days. And shortly after that, Dorothy and I will be traveling to Dorset.” She turned to face him again. “When we return you and I might discuss your well. Unless you need it before then, in which case, you may need to find someone else to build it for you.”
“There is no one else I would rather have than you.” Harry suddenly realized what he said could be interpreted several different ways and he added, “…to build the well house. I want it to be yours. I very much appreciated your fine designs.”
“Then it shall be my pleasure to build it for you,” she said with a pleasant smile.
Harry was once again overcome with passion for her and he was just about to step forward and take her in his arms when Dorothy came in.
“Oh, hello, Harry. I did not know you were here. Is Maria with you?”
“Not today,” he said, taking a step backward and trying to gain control of his elevated breathing.
“Then I am happy to see you. Might you give Christopher a message for me?”
“Of course,” he said giving a glance at Anna to see if she might have noticed his passion.
“Tell him I am to go into the village this afternoon and he must come to me this evening instead of when we planned to meet. He will understand.”
Harry nodded.
“Did you want something, dear?” Anna asked as she crossed back to her father’s desk.
“Oh, yes. Silly goose, me. I just wanted to ask if you had given any thought to the time we will have the reception. Warrick was asking, and I did not think we had set a time yet.”
“Immediately after the service. We will need to give the guests time to get here, so I should say an hour after it ends.”
“And when will that be?”
Anna looked to Harry since he had made the arrangements with the vicar. “Harry, was there a determination as to how long the service would last?”
“No more than an hour as there is to be no burial.” He answ
ered, still trying to get control of his feelings.
“There you have it.” Anna said, and Dorothy turned and left.
Harry could not bear to leave her, but he knew he must. As he picked up his hat, he turned back to Anna and said, “My dearest, Anna, I want to ask you something.”
“Yes?”
Harry found it difficult but with a strained voice he asked, “When I spoke to you the other day about Percy, you said something about guessing that I might have feelings for you.”
“Yes, I remember,” she said, lowering her eyes.
“What made you say that?” he asked fearful of the answer—but also expectant.
She hesitated, not wanting to acknowledge the kiss, but finally answered, “It is difficult to say exactly. Perhaps it was a look. Or it might have been a smile. Or even just a feeling I had. I hope I did not offend you by my comment?”
Anna had answered without showing any passion that he could gauge, and he did not respond for a moment as he studied her demeanor. He finally asked, “And what would you say if I said there might be some truth to what you intuited?”
Anna’s expression softened slightly. “I would say—I would be very honored if that were true.”
“Honored? I see.” Not the answer he was hoping for. “Thank you for answering me. I shall bid you good day, Anna. Unless you need me before, I shall see you at the service.”
“Good day, Harry,” she said, and he turned and left.
Anna’s heart was racing, and she felt a chill run down her arms. What was happening to her? Had Harry confirmed that he loved her? It was one thing to suspect that, but quite another to have it confirmed. Yes, she loved Harry. She always had—he was her friend, the brother she never had. She could always turn to him and Maria whenever they were needed, and they always responded without hesitation. Of course, he was handsome. She had always known that. He was attractive to her in so many ways. But she had never given any thought to him as a suitor.
And Percy? What had been his claim on her heart? She mused. He too was handsome. He often seemed troubled and somewhat rebellious. But was that not part of his attraction? He ignored her. He was distant and, up until now, had seemed unattainable. That made him safe. It was easy to fantasize about him without consequence. He made no demands upon her.
“Oh, my…” she said aloud to herself, still standing at her father’s desk just after Harry left. It was as if a seed had been planted in her mind. She had a great deal to think about on her trip with Dorothy. She was pleased to be leaving Wiltshire. She felt she was on the brink of a new life—an exciting life. And she looked forward with enthusiasm to what might unfold for her in this next chapter.
Chapter 25
The ripening, toast-colored wheat fields—cornflowers poking their sapphire heads above the weeds surrounding each field—shimmered in the intense, late-morning heat. A flock of restless ravens played havoc in the trees surrounding the country church where the Viscount’s memorial service was being held. A foot organ squeezed out a plaintive hymn, supporting the voices of the congregation that drifted from the open windows. The horses, harnessed to the buggies and carriages, were hot and fidgeting. The coachmen and drivers tried to cool their charges by making certain they were under the cover of shade trees, and occasionally poured water over their necks and backs.
It was, perhaps, the hottest day of the summer so far. This made it difficult for the mourners, sitting in the cloistered church and dressed in black, to tolerate the service for very long. The lady’s fans were working at full speed and the gentlemen were mopping their brows with already soaked handkerchiefs. The vicar, sensing their restlessness, skipped several hymns, cut short his homily, and both Anna and Dorothy rushed their father’s eulogies after Lord Hargrove, of the East India Company, spoke at great length about the Viscount’s many virtues.
“Do you think we have enough ice in the icehouse to accommodate all the cooling drinks our guests will be asking for?” Dorothy asked as she and Anna left the church, followed by their guests.
“I certainly hope so. I did not expect it to be this hot. How are you holding up, dear Dorothy? You must be sweltering.”
Dorothy gave her a severe look. “It is this horrid black dress. From now on I shall instruct all my friends and relations to die in the winter.”
Anna laughed. “But then all the roads will be blocked by snow.”
“Then spring or fall. There must be a law passed.”
The sisters were quite unseemly in their laughter, but they cared not. They were giddy from the heat and the emotion of saying goodbye to their father.
The sisters’ carriage led the way back to the Hall. Normally, the guests might have lingered at the church to discuss and remember the departed amongst themselves. However, they were too hot and all longed for refreshment and the coolness of the vast confines of Repington Hall.
Anna and Dorothy made it back before the others by only a few minutes and rushed to the room where the reception was to be held to be ready to welcome the guests and receive their condolences.
Both Anna and Dorothy had their fans and used them liberally when not speaking to one of the arriving guests.
The reception line was long, tedious, and grueling. However, Harry and Maria arrived with their mother and, after settling her in, Harry and Maria came over to the sisters and he offered, “Might I get you some cool refreshment?”
Both Anna and Dorothy looked at him gratefully and they replied, “Oh, yes, please. You are so kind.”
Harry left to get them punch and Maria remained behind to offer moral support to the sisters as they welcomed the rest of the guests.
Finally, the line cleared, and Dorothy said, “I must go to my room for a moment. My dress is drenched, and I need to take it off, fan myself, and put something else on.”
Anna gave her a cautioning look. “But it must be black.” Dorothy scowled. “Or at least, very dark,” Anna relented. “And wear that light-weight, black summer shawl.”
Dorothy looked to see if anyone was looking— and seeing that they were not— stuck out her tongue at her sister and then departed.
Anna surveyed the room now that her duties were done. Her first thought was to check in with Warrick to see if all was in hand, but she saw Percy and his father in conversation at the far side of the room by an open window where a light breeze was rustling the filmy curtains. And seeing her look at them, Percy broke from his father and came over to her.
“Miss Anna, what a lovely service. But what a pity it was so hot. I hope it did not ruin the memorial for you?”
It was strange seeing Percy again. After her conversation with Harry and Maria, and after Harry’s later visit, Percy looked totally different to her now. But she dismissed the idea and replied, “I could have wished for cooler weather for my guests, but I was satisfied with the service otherwise.”
“It must be a relief to have the service over. Now you can move forward with your life,” he said, briefly placing his hand on her arm.
“Dorothy and I are to leave shortly to visit her fiancé and his family in Dorset. We shall be gone for a while and that should provide us a welcome relief from the rigors of preparing for the memorial service and reception. Hopefully it will also lessen our grief, as we begin to look forward to Dorothy’s eventual wedding.”
Percy smiled at the mention of a wedding. “Yes, life must certainly go on. And for you as well as your sister, I trust.”
“I have plans.”
“And what might they be, if you do not mind me asking?”
“First, I must consolidate the estate now that I am to manage it. Then, I should like to make improvements. I have ideas for new structures on the property that I have wanted to build for some time. And now that father is gone I can turn my attention to them without his disapprobation.”
“That must be exciting for you, but I hope you will also allow yourself some personal recreation. I should very much like to spend time with you when you return. Perhaps
a picnic, a carriage ride, or a trip into Marlborough for shopping?”
This might not be the proper time, but Anna could not help herself. “Percy, I have something I need to ask you.”
“Of course,” he said linking his arm with hers and leading her to a more private corner of the room where he gestured for her to sit.
Anna found this difficult but was determined to speak her piece. “Percy, Maria and Harry have told me about your situation.”
“I beg your pardon. What situation are you referring to?” he asked a little nervously.
“First, your father’s financial situation, and secondly, his insistence that you marry for money as soon as possible.” This silenced him, and he was speechless. “And I find it strange that after ignoring me and my openness to you for so long, now, you have suddenly found me attractive and interesting—but only after my father’s death and the fact that I am to inherit his estate with my sister. I cannot help but think that you are interested in me only for my inheritance.”
The Scandalous Saga of the White Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Novel Page 17