The Scandalous Saga of the White Lady: A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Hanna Hamilton

  “And I you. Is this really happening?” she asked, as she came around from behind her desk and embraced him—roses and all.

  Harry stood back after the hug and just looked at her. “You are so very beautiful my dearest. And I am the happiest man imaginable.”

  “I think Christopher might challenge you on that statement,” she said laughing.

  He handed her the flowers, and he went to her desk and picked up her drawings. “We have yet to discuss the well house. Is it still something you want to do?”

  “Why not? And now that we are to be married I will pester you endlessly to build many more projects.”

  “How can I refuse you, my dear, you know my heart is yours and I can deny you nothing.”

  “It is a good thing you are marrying someone as practical as me, for I shall never take advantage of you.”

  Harry smiled slightly as he said, “Anna, there is something I need to do that I was unprepared for yesterday.”

  “Oh?”

  Harry reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a ring. “This was my grandmother’s and I want it to be yours. This will seal our engagement.”

  He took her hand and placed the delicate ring on her finger. It was a modest but beautiful white gold set with a ring of small diamonds around a larger central pink diamond.

  She held it up to examine. “Oh, Harry, it is so very lovely. Thank you.” She leaned forward and they kissed—her heart filling with love and tenderness. After the kiss, she laid her head on his chest and felt his heart beating and the soft comfort of his breath.

  Releasing him, she stepped back and said, “Harry, we need to talk about the wedding.”

  “Actually, there is something very important I need to speak to you about, as well.”

  She offered him her hand and they went to a cozy window seat that overlooked the estate park.

  “You first,” she said.

  “Very well. First, I have some news for you. Percy has proposed to Maria and she has provisionally accepted.”

  Anna clapped her hands together. “Oh, Harry that is wonderful news!” Then she hesitated. “But why has Maria only provisionally accepted?”

  Harry laid out their dilemma and the obstacles that must be overcome before they could marry.

  “Hmm,” Anna mused. “Have you suggested a solution?”

  “I have several ideas, but I wanted to discuss them with you first.”

  Anna stood up. “One moment, please,” she asked. She wandered the room touching familiar objects as she was thinking. Finally, she returned and sat opposite Harry again. “I have an idea.”

  “I would love to hear.”

  “As you may or may not know, Dorothy and Christopher had a little spat while we were in Dorset.”

  “I did not know.”

  “But it has been mended. Christopher arrived the other day to plead with her not to forsake their love. And she, unsurprisingly, agreed the marriage should go forward.”

  “Then there are to be two weddings now. Well, three if Percy and Maria can sort out their difficulties.”

  “And that is the issue I should like to address.”

  “I am listening,” he replied.

  “As you know, Dorothy and I are the only heirs to our father’s estate. There are no other relatives near or far. And with Dorothy marrying and moving to Dorset, and you and me soon to marry, there will be no one left to run or live at Repington—assuming you and I are to live at Creassey.”

  “That was my thought. As the Earl, I must maintain my estate and there is now an established business there. But how do you feel about that?”

  “I am in complete agreement with that decision. And this is what I am thinking. Hear me out.”

  “Willingly.”

  “What if… I hired Percy and Maria to run the Repington estate? He and Maria could then marry and manage it together. Maria is well qualified to be a co-manager, as she has done so with you at Creassey. She would be able to make up for any shortcomings Percy might have as a beginning manager while he is gaining experience. I believe he is bright, willing, and capable. It would solve their problem, and Dorothy and my problem of what to do with Repington. We would not need to sell it.”

  “What an elegant solution, dear Anna. I think they would willingly embrace that solution.” But Harry had a further thought. “But there is another matter.”

  “And that is?”

  “Maria’s dowry is quite small. Percy has nothing of his own and I was hoping to be able to increase her dowry so that they would have a good solid bedrock starting out in their marriage. Yes, they will be getting an income from running Repington, but I should like them to also have something of their own.”

  “Then increase her dowry.”

  Harry grimaced. “Ah… you see, I am unable to increase it at this time. I have put all of my resources into the cattle, and while it is a growing business, I am unable to take out any capital right now.”

  Anna shrugged. “That is not a problem. I am bringing a considerable fortune with me to our marriage, Harry. Please, use what you think is necessary from that to increase Maria’s dowry. After all, she is also a great friend of mine, and I want for her to be well settled.”

  Harry hesitated, “My dear, are you certain? I do not want you to think I am taking advantage of you in any way.”

  Anna laughed and kissed Harry. “Not at all. I love you both, and as I am fortunate enough to have this wealth, I wish to share it.”

  “Then I expect there will be three weddings. Shall we have them all at the same time?”

  Anna clapped her hands. “Oh yes, let us do that. It would be very festive.”

  Chapter 38

  Harry looked very somber when Percy and Maria came to his study—having been summoned.

  “Ah, here you are,” he said, standing in front his desk and clasping his hands behind his back.

  Maria suddenly felt a chill, as she was unaccustomed to seeing Harry looking so grim. “What is it, Harry. Has something gone wrong?”

  He indicated the two chairs pulled up in front of his desk. “Sit,” he said.

  Maria was not accustomed to taking orders from her brother and she went over to him and slapped him on the shoulder. “Harry Buxton, stop playing games. I do not know what you are up to, but you had better behave yourself, or you shall have me to deal with.”

  Harry laughed. “Oh, Maria, you are spoiling my surprise. I wanted to make you think there was trouble ahead.”

  She slapped his shoulder again. “You know, I know you better than anyone, and I will not take your foolishness. Come out with it. What is it you need to tell us?”

  “Very well, but I still want you to sit down. We have a lot to discuss.” They did. “You asked for my advice and help and here is what we have come up with?”

  “Who is we?” Maria asked.

  “Anna and I.”

  Astonished, Maria asked, “Anna?”

  “Yes, I explained your situation and she has offered to help.”

  “Why would Anna want to help me?” Percy asked.

  “We want to help the both of you. Percy, you are my friend as well as being Maria’s intended. Now listen carefully.” Harry then outlined the proposal. When he was finished, Percy and Maria were so stunned they could not immediately respond. “Well? What do you think?”

  Maria and Percy turned to each other in unison—mouths agape.

  “It is beyond generous,” Maria finally said. “How absolutely dear and generous Anna is.”

  Percy stood and gave Harry a hug, tears in his eyes. “I do not deserve a friend like you, Harry.”

  Harry patted him on the back. “Now, Percy… you have struggled for a long time, not only with your father but with yourself. You deserve a break.”

  Then Maria stood and hugged the two of them. Harry blushed.

  When they finally let go, Harry straightened his waistcoat and gestured for them to sit again.

  “I take it you accept Anna’s of
fer to manage her estate?”

  They nodded.

  “But how shall you manage without me here at Creassey?” Maria asked.

  “You forget I am marrying too. Anna will be able to help me.”

  Maria laughed. “I hope she knows what she is letting herself in for.”

  “I expect we will be able to hire more staff and the burden will be less.” Harry picked up a paper and studied it. “But there are just a couple of more issues.”

  “Uh oh,” Percy said.

  “It is nothing to worry about,” Harry said. “It concerns your dowry, Maria.”

  “Oh, yes, that.”

  “I am going to increase it to thirty-thousand,” Harry said casually.

  Maria gasped. “But that is enormous. How can you do that?”

  “Anna and I wish you both to have a good start to the marriage. We are taking the funds from what she is bringing to our marriage. Believe me, it is a small sum considering what she is inheriting.”

  “I had no idea…” Maria said.

  Harry then turned to Percy. “But there is a stipulation that I am adding.”

  “What is that?”

  “You may not give more than one-quarter of that sum to your father. That money is to be for you and Maria. I want her to be secure and I cannot have you squandering it on your reprobate father.”

  “Believe me, I do understand. I would not give him anything, but I cannot help myself. I must also consider my mother.”

  “I understand. That is why I am allowing you to give them a quarter.”

  “But that will not solve your father’s problems,” Maria said to Percy.

  “Yes, I know. But the rest is up to him. If he can find any wisdom, he might take that money and increase it through wise investment. Who knows…?”

  “And there is one last issue,” Harry said. “What would you say to having Dorothy’s, Anna and my, and your weddings together. A triple wedding. Does that not sound delightful?”

  “I think it sounds marvelous,” she said smiling broadly.

  “Here, here!” Percy added.

  Anna, Dorothy, and Maria were having lunch together at Repington Hall. Anna was making a list of what they needed to go over that afternoon as they began to plan their joint weddings. The champagne was flowing freely and they were a little tipsy and giggly.

  “Of course, our first concern must be setting the date,” Dorothy said. “Christopher and I have set our wedding for next May—which seems ridiculously far away to me, but it seems we must observe mourning forever…”

  “How do you feel about that, Anna, now that you are to be married too?” Maria asked. “It does seem a very long time away. Might there be a way to marry earlier so that we may get on with our lives?”

  Anna said thoughtfully, “Indeed it does. And you make a good point. Considering our various needs in moving forward I am willing to agree to a late autumn wedding. Does that sound suitable?”

  Dorothy was ecstatic. “Oh, yes, yes. October?”

  “Late October.”

  “And can we make all the arrangements for a triple wedding in that time frame?” Maria asked.

  “I think the three of us are capable of arranging that. If we put our minds to it and make it our priority,” Anna concluded.

  “Then let us start with the dresses…” Dorothy suggested. And Anna wrote it on her list.

  “I have my mother’s dress,” Maria said.

  “But my dear, you deserve your own. Your mother’s dress must be horribly out of date. She was married in the last century. The fashions have changed drastically since then,” Dorothy insisted.

  “Perhaps. A new dress would be nice.”

  Dorothy threw her hands up in the air. “The wedding dresses shall be on me,” she exclaimed. “Let us take a trip to London, the three of us together. Let us have our dresses properly made.”

  “Can you get away for a few days?” Anna asked Maria.

  “Well, as I shall no longer be mistress of Creassey, I guess you will need to answer that yourself, Lady Creassey.”

  “I shall allow it,” Anna said bowing and laughing after taking another sip of champagne.

  “Very well, that is settled. Now, the flowers.”

  “We can discuss that later,” Dorothy said.

  “Then we need to decide on food, the guest list—oh my, guests for three weddings. That is going to be enormous.”

  “Well your and my guest lists will be almost the same—except for the extended Stewart family. We are only adding Maria’s.”

  “True. And accommodations for the guests. Maria, will you be able to put some of them up at Creassey?”

  “Of course, I am fairly certain we can accommodate all of my guests.”

  “That does help. Now, let me see, what else do we need to consider? We, of course, will hold the weddings here, if that is all right with you, Maria.”

  “I believe you have more room than we do. That sounds perfect. What about a budget? Three weddings will not come without significant cost,” Maria asked.

  “We plan to cover that. Since both Dorothy and I are getting married adding one more will not increase the cost very much,” Anna said crossing that item off her list.

  Maria took a deep breath. “Can you believe all of this? Just a few weeks ago there was only Dorothy’s wedding to be thought of.”

  “And that almost fell through,” Dorothy said. “My brute of a fiancé nearly ruined everything.” Then she smiled. “But he is really very sweet and I forgave him.”

  With lunch being finished, Anna stood and said, “Then, shall we retire to my study and begin working on what is left to do?”

  The triple wedding had become the sensation of Wiltshire. Everyone was talking about it and the social circle was eagerly waiting for their invitations. However, many were to be disappointed, as the three brides had decided to keep the guest list to the very closest family and friends.

  Not on the list was the Duke of Crauford, even though he was the father of one of the grooms. However, Percy’s mother was being invited. She had never stood up for Percy in his battles with his father, but Percy felt it was important to have at least one member of his family present.

  The Duke’s health had suffered greatly after Percy’s rebellion and refusal to marry Anna. The Duke barely spoke to his son anymore and he spent his days holed up in his study, taking his meals there and fending off increasing requests for payment on his debts.

  Percy found him there one morning soon after the announcement of his engagement to Maria.

  “Father, might I have a word with you?” Percy asked standing at the study door.

  “What could you possibly have to say to me, you traitor?” his father growled.

  “We need to talk. We have family matters to discuss.”

  “You are no longer a member of this family.”

  “Father… I think what I have to tell you will cheer you up somewhat.”

  His father gestured to the chair by his desk. “What?”

  Percy sat. “I know you wanted me to marry Anna for her fortune. And I know you expected to clear all of your debts with her substantial dowry.”

  “Why bring that failure up?”

  “Because if I had done that, you would have used the money to pay off your debts, but you would not have done anything to secure the future of the dukedom. I know you.”

  “What are you getting at?”

  “Father, Harry increased Maria’s dowry substantially and, in addition, we are going to have a nice living from our management of Repington.”

  “Huh. What is that to me?”

  “I am prepared to give you the sum of seventy-five hundred pounds for the use of your estate. Part you may use to partially satisfy the creditors, and the rest I want you to use to create an income for the dukedom. Are you willing to accept that proviso?”

  “And what exactly did you have in mind?” Arnold asked, his interest suddenly engaged.

  “I want you to buy back pa
rt of the land you sold and use it to produce something of value. We need to build the estate back up.”

  “Huh… What you are offering is a pittance of what is needed.”

  “It is enough to get started. And with guidance and hard work I believe something worthwhile can be made of the land.”