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 answered, 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.