After the uproar of the morning, Harry found it refreshing to be working with his cattle again. Even after the hoof and mouth scare, they were far less of a worry than the human events of the past few days.

Christopher was spending most of his time now with Dorothy, so Harry worked only with his foreman. They spent the entire morning inspecting all the rest of the cattle for wooden tongue but found no further infections. The infected cattle were improving daily, and after a quick visit with Doctor Carson, it was concluded that these cattle could be let back with the rest of the herd by next week.

Harry had an exhausting morning and was happy to get back to the house just before lunchtime. He went first to his study and saw Anna’s drawings. He remembered they were to meet to inspect the well house site, but that was out of the question now, after her father’s death. But as he laid his hand on top of the drawings, he felt a stab of regret as he remembered their kiss. But was it regret or was it longing?

He stared across his study as he relived that unforgettable moment when he took her in his arms when he became overcome with passion. If only she did not care for Percy… but that was not the case. She did, and that tortured him. He shook himself free of those thoughts and looked at the post that Daniels had delivered earlier.

There was a letter from Miss Nora. He opened it and read:

Your Lordship,

I wanted to let you know that thanks to your kind efforts in escorting me home, my ankle is quite healed now and I am walking about almost as before. I have no doubt I shall be skipping about our grounds like a baby lamb before long.

I certainly did enjoy my fishing lesson (apart from the tumble into the stream) and I am only sorry that I lost my most delightful catch. But I am certain the poor fish is ever so grateful for my fall and his escape.

And in grateful acknowledgement of your efforts on my behalf, I should like to invite you to supper on Friday evening. It is the very least I can do to show you my appreciation. Regretfully, any trout that might be served will not have been caught at my hand.

My grandparents shall be away for the weekend, so it shall be just the two of us for supper.

I look forward to your acceptance.

Ever Yours,

Nora Fitzwalker

Harry put the letter down and found that he was conflicted about accepting her invitation. He had, only the moment before, been reliving his kiss with Anna and now he must decide if he wanted to go forward with this developing relationship with Miss. Fitzwalker. But this was a conundrum he had considered before. Wait and hope that Anna would finally recognize his passion for her, or whether to move forward with a possible courtship with the lovely Miss Nora. If only he could just step away from the whole situation, but he could not. Anna needed him at this troubling time in her life, and he must be there for her, even if it gave him grave discomfort to be around her, loving her as he did with no hope of his love being requited.

He reached for a piece of note paper and replied in the affirmative to Miss Nora, even though his heart ached, and he recognized just how manipulative Miss Fitzwalker could be.

He finished the letter and placed it in its envelope when Maria appeared.

“Are you coming to lunch?”

He looked up and said, “Yes, I am. And how are our attack victims doing? Did the doctor arrive?”

“He did,” Maria said coming over to his desk. “Coachman Dipple does have a broken arm, but it is a simple break and should heal quickly. Aunt Agatha is now consumed with the idea of writing her memoirs and feels no hurt or pain, whatsoever. And Mr. Oakley has what is known as a jammed finger and will recover with no further medical attention required.”

Harry laughed. “I am happy there is no greater damage than that. All will be well.”

But Maria did not seem settled and Harry asked, “Is there something else you wanted to ask me?”

Maria hesitated but a moment, stood before her brother and said, “Harry, I do have something I wish to discuss with you.”

“Very well, will we have time before lunch?”

“I believe so.” But she seemed reluctant to speak.

“What is it?”

“Percy… has he said anything to you about his feelings for Anna?”

“Anna? Of course not. He has always spoken of his affection for you. What gave you any idea that he might have feelings for Anna?” This came as a shock to him for he knew Anna had affection for Percy, but he never believed Percy had feelings for her.

“When I went to visit the Hoskins sisters after their father died, Anna mentioned that Percy had come to pay his respects, almost immediately after you informed him of their father’s passing.”

“He must have felt that was the right thing to do.”

“But she also mentioned that he expressed his deep romantic feelings for her and said he had never spoken to her before about these matters because he was too shy.”

Harry could not help but laugh. “Shy? Percy shy?”

“My reaction exactly. Percy is the least shy person I have ever known. Why would he tell her such a thing? Do you believe he might have developed true feelings for her?”

“I have no idea. As far as I know he has never shown any interest in her romantically.”

Maria turned from her brother and said quietly, “When we went on our picnic the other day, he did ask me what dowry I might be able to bring to our marriage. I told him frankly, but he seemed disappointed at the amount.”

Harry stood up and went to Maria. “My dear, I have reason to believe the Duke is in terrible financial trouble. It could be that he is putting pressure on Percy to marry, hoping to bring a marriage settlement into the family.”

“That would explain his probing questions at the picnic.” She then turned to Harry. “Do you think he might be turning to Anna now because he believes she will have a substantial inheritance from her father?”

“Oh, Maria… it would be so very sad if that was true. But I cannot answer you because he has said nothing to me about his intentions.”

“Might you enquire?” she asked.

“I most certainly will. But do you think he would tell me if he was going behind your back to woo Anna? It would be such a terrible betrayal.”

Maria put her arms around her brother and laid her head on his chest. “Oh, Harry…”

Christopher came on his morning visit to Repington Hall, but instead of being greeted by Dorothy, it was to Anna that Warrick directed him in the sunny Wedgewood parlor.

“Good morning, Miss Anna.” He looked around the room for Dorothy, but she was absent. “Ah… I was expecting to see your sister.”

“Yes, I know,” Anna replied as she set aside her crochet work. “But come sit with me, I should like to chat with you alone before you go to her. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. It will be a pleasure to converse with you,” he said, while he came to sit in a chair opposite her. “I know I have neglected seeing you, but… well… you know how it is with young love.”

Anna was patient as she smiled. “Christopher… I may call you Christopher now that we are to be family?”

“Of course… Anna?” he said, as he was simultaneously asking to call her by her first name alone.

“Absolutely, you may call me Anna.” She studied him for a moment. “This has been quite a whirlwind of a time, has it not? Father’s passing—you and Dorothy getting engaged. It must be upending your life as much as it is ours.”

“I have certainly been excited, but I did not know your father, and while I sympathize with your loss, it has not affected me as deeply as it has the two of you.”

“Of course. That is to be expected. Now tell me, Christopher, have you informed your parents of your engagement yet?”

“I have written but I have not received a response.”

“Is there any reason they might object to this marriage? Did they have an intended for you that you will disappoint by this announcement?”

Christopher looked a little uncomfortable with that question. “Well, there was a young lady… but mind you, I had not met her officially… however, my parents seemed to be directing me in that direction.”

“And was there land involved in this proposed marriage?”

“She was the daughter of a neighboring estate owner. I believe my father was suggesting a merger of lands. That sort of thing, you know.”

“Hmm. Yes, that is usually the case.” Anna picked up her crocheting again. “And I expect Dorothy has spoken to you about the fact that the both of us will be inheriting a great fortune.”

Christopher hesitated and said, “She has mentioned something like that. Yes.”

“You can see my concern. It is nothing on you personally, but single ladies in our position must be ever aware of fortune hunters. I am certain you can understand that. So, my question for you is, did you propose to Dorothy before or after she mentioned that there would be a considerable dowry attached to her marriage?”

Christopher thought for a moment. “To be quite honest I cannot remember. I know I had been thinking of proposing to her some time before, but because of your tragedy I, of course, held back. I did not want to appear intrusive on her grief. But to answer your question, I did say something about needing to speak to my father about a proposed marriage with Dorothy. However, she would not hear of it and… rather pushed me to propose. Although I am certain she knew I would sooner or later. I believe she was just trying to remove the stigma of me asking her while she was in mourning.”

“Hmm. That sounds like what I would expect of her.” Anna said and smiled. “I am sorry if I seem unkind, but I am just trying to make certain my baby sister is pursuing a wise course. And I need to know your motives for wanting to marry her.”

Christopher stood and very clearly and forcefully said, “I asked Dorothy to marry me because I value her above all else. I love her dearly, tenderly, and absolutely. I promise to be the very best husband possible, and I am certain she will be warmly welcomed into our family. I hope that you will meet my family soon so that you might see for yourself how loving they can be. I have no reservations at all that you will fall in love with them too.”

Anna smiled and returned to her crochet work. “I am delighted to hear that. Now, I feel certain Dorothy is anxiously awaiting your visit.”