With all that had been going on with Anna’s family, and the scare over the cattle, Harry had paid little attention to his guests—Aunt Agatha and her… companion. And knowing his aunt’s habits, he was surprised to find both his aunt and Mr. Oakley at breakfast when he came into the breakfast room in the early morning.

“Aunt Agatha, is this not early for you to be up?” Harry asked as he served himself breakfast at the sideboard.

“Quite so. I feel like I have been drawn and quartered, but one must make adjustments when one travels,” she said after sipping her tea.

“Are you to leave us?” Harry asked, sitting down at his place at the table.

“For the day, dear boy, only for the day.”

“We are off to see this quite extraordinary place we have read about,” Chilton said, “It is something called Stonehenge. Do you know of it?”

“Most certainly. It is quite famous in the region.”

“I have requested Daniels to order us a picnic. I hope that was not an imposition,” Agatha said.

“Not at all. How are you to travel?”

“We were thinking to use my carriage, but one of our horses is lame and is being treated. Would you mind horribly if we borrowed one of your coaches?” Agatha asked.

“Not at all. Do you intend to return by dinner time?”

“I expect so. I mean, how much can one appreciate a pile of rocks? Certainly, the ride in the countryside will be more rewarding, but dear Chilton feels there is merit in scampering around in Druidic ruins. I would much prefer shopping in Marlborough, but he gets these fancies… and what is one to do? I did ask my sister if she would like to accompany us, but she declined, citing her constant pain. It seems she is unable to travel for any extended period of time.”

“That and I believe her memories of the carriage accident make her wary of traveling again almost anywhere.”

“I was hoping I might persuade her to come back to London with us for a visit, but I fear she will decline for the very reason you cite,” Agatha said sorrowfully.

“Then you are planning to return to London soon?”

Agatha glanced at Chilton. “We are rather enjoying our stay here, but we are in discussion about it. The London fall season will be starting up the month after next and I was thinking of the opera… but who knows? Being here is such a respite after the rigors of our African travels that we might stay on for a while longer.”

“You are welcome, of course. And I know mother appreciates your visit.”

Agatha turned to Chilton and nudged him with her elbow. “Come along. Let us get started so we can be back in time for dinner. I would hate to eat cold meat pies and salad on a tray because we missed supper.”

“Well, what did she have to say?” the Duke asked Percy who was standing before him at his desk. “How much is she worth?”

Percy was feeling very conflicted. His true affections were for Maria, and yet here he was, needing to convince his father he was courting Anna.

“I cannot say. She did not divulge that information to me. I am not certain she knows herself, so soon after learning of her father’s demise.”

“Then did you at least make it clear to her that you were interested in courting her?” the Duke asked. He stood up and came around his desk to confront his son more directly.

Percy was cautious as he said, “Father, this is a very delicate time for her. It would be crass and insensitive if I pushed too hard. It would be blatantly obvious if I insisted on knowing what she might bring to a marriage. It is far too early. Even you should recognize that.”

“Hmm. Perhaps. But these are desperate times. Even if you were not to marry right away I am certain I could raise funds on the knowledge that you were to marry an heiress.”

Percy sighed and turned away. “This is very difficult for me.”

“Ah, poor baby. He is finding life difficult.” The Duke pushed his son from behind and Percy tripped forward. “I care not what you feel. You are a part of this family and the estate. And your very futures are at stake. Do your damn part or get out. You understand me? I want to see an engagement within a month or less. Just do it! Now get out of here!”

Arnold had a message from Mr. Phineas Campbell that he needed to meet with him that evening at the same pub in Marlborough where they had met before.

The Duke had ridden into town and quartered his horse in plenty of time. He wanted to be there before Mr. Campbell to gauge the lay of the pub before he arrived. One could never be too careful.

Arnold found the table where they had concluded the deal was empty, and he took it. As it was in the corner, he had his back to the wall and could view the whole pub from where he was sitting. He felt protected.

Mr. Campbell appeared right on time, surveyed the establishment, saw Arnold, and went over to the table.

“Good evening, Your Grace. Thank you for meeting me.”

Arnold was not one for pleasant conversation and immediately asked, “Is it concluded?”

“What?”

“The deal. Have you got my money for me?”

“I am afraid not. There has been a complication.”

Arnold groaned and turned in his chair in frustration. “What do you mean?”

“The ship never made it to Africa to pick up the slaves. There was a major storm and the ship needed to find shelter in the nearest port. But there was some sort of disease amongst the crew and eventually the ship had to return home. It was never able to pick up the slaves.”

“So, what does that mean? Will it go again? Or some other ship? What?”

“I am sorry to say that the project is finished. The money I had invested was lost and I am not able to fund a second expedition. If it had been successful, I would have been able to fund another venture, but as it is, I have to say, the project is dead. So sorry, but at least you did not have any funds invested.”

“That does not help me in the least. I was counting on the success of our venture.”

“But as in all things in life, there is no certainty.” Mr. Campbell stood to leave.

Arnold stood and became aggressive. “No, that is not good enough. You promised me a payout. Now it is up to you to make good on your promise.”

Mr. Campbell looked at him with contempt. “This matter is concluded.”

“No, if you cannot make good on this project then let me be a part of the mill… something. I must have something!”

“I am sorry. I was mistaken in thinking you would be a good partner, but I thank you for your participation. Good evening, Your Grace.”

Maria and Harry held up dinner and waited for Aunt Agatha and Mr. Oakley as long as they could, but it was well past eight-thirty and the two had still not returned from their day trip.

“I think we should go ahead with dinner,” Maria said, “Mother is getting cranky and you know she needs to go to bed early.”

“That is fine by me,” Harry said, “I would not have waited for them this long except I thought Mother might object if we did not wait for them.”

Dinner was a somber affair. Mother spoke not a word, and Maria and Harry chatted about household matters. Christopher was not dining with them this evening as he was having dinner with his fiancé at Repington Hall.

As they were leaving the dining room, and Aunt had still not returned, Harry asked his sister, “Do you think I should send someone out to scout for them? Perhaps they are lost.”

Maria replied, “How would that be possible, did you not send our coachman with the carriage? He knows the county as well as any and certainly would not lose his way.”

Harry was hesitant to speak in front of his mother for fear of upsetting her, so he pulled Maria aside and said, “Perhaps there has been an accident.”

“Then some official would have come to inform us.”

“I expect you are right.”

“I am going to take mother to her room,” Maria said. “I shall see you presently.” She sought out Nurse Carter and they took Mother away.

It was past midnight and the two had still not returned. Both Harry and Maria were exhausted. They were usually up early in the morning and early to bed at night.

Christopher had returned from Repington long ago and had retired.

Harry nodded off to sleep in his chair, but awoke with a start and stood up. “I can do this no longer. Maria, come we must go to bed. Hopefully they will be back early tomorrow. It is my guess they decided to stop for supper and perhaps stayed at an inn for the night.”

Maria groggily stood up from her chair and closed the book that lay in her lap that she had tried to read to keep awake. “Oh, yes. Then I bid you good-night.”

The next morning both Maria and Harry were late arising. Harry was grumpy, and Maria kept yawning at breakfast.

When Daniels came to serve the tea, Harry asked, “Has there been any word of my aunt?”

“I am afraid not, Milord. I had someone keep watch all night in case they came in late, but they did not appear and there has been no word from any authorities.”

Harry looked at Maria and it was clear they were both fearful.

Harry needed to attend to the cattle this morning, but he was reluctant to leave until this situation was settled. He was on the verge of sending out one of the grooms to check with the local constabulary to see if there might be any reports of accidents. But, at that moment, the carriage came up the drive and both he and Maria rushed outside and up to the carriage door when it finally stopped.

“Oh, my dear niece and nephew, you have no idea the ordeal we have been through. I swear it was even worse than toppling over the falls,” Aunt Agatha said as she descended from the carriage. Her dress was torn, covered in grass stains, the veil on her hat was torn and the feather atop was broken.

From behind her came Chilton, looking frazzled, battered, and with cuts and abrasions.

“Come, we must have tea immediately and then I must compose myself.” She spotted the butler. “Daniels, a bath if you please. And then I must lie down until at least lunch time.”

“Aunt, do you not think you owe us at least a brief explanation?” Maria asked, testily. “We waited up until very late hoping you would return. And mother has been beside herself with worry.”

“Are either of you injured?” Harry asked. “Do either of you need medical attention?”

Aunt stood for a moment and tears came to her eyes. She dabbed at them with her handkerchief, then said, “Highwaymen. We were attacked, roughed up, robbed, and then left to fend for ourselves.”

At that point the coachman climbed from the driver’s seat. He looked to be in pain.

“Milord, I believe I may have a broken arm,” he said holding his left arm.

Harry immediately went to him, took him by the shoulders, and nodded to Daniels, handing the coachman over to him to take care of.

“Are you certain neither of you are hurt?” Maria asked going to her Aunt and putting an arm around her shoulder.

“Scrapes and bruises, but nothing serious.”

“My finger hurts,” Mr. Oakley said, holding it up for inspection.

Harry turned to Daniels as he was leading the coachman inside. “Please have someone fetch the doctor. It seems we now have a second person who needs to be examined.”

“Yes, Milord.”

“But what took you so long to get home?” Maria asked Agatha.

“During the scuffle the horses were spooked, and they charged ahead. It took us forever to find the carriage. It was a good several miles down the road and there was a broken spoke. The poor coachman had to drive very slowly for fear of further complications.”

“Dear Aunt… Mr. Oakley… we are so very sorry for your misadventure. But think of it as another chapter in the book I know you shall one day write,” Maria said.

Aunt’s face brightened up. “Oh, Maria, my dear, what a splendid idea. It never crossed my mind, but I think I shall get started on it right after lunch.”