Christopher returned home after the memorial service and Dorothy moped around the house for days on end until it came near to the time when they would be traveling to Dorset for the visit with his family.

And then, miraculously, her temper improved. Her first task was to search through their father’s library for a map of Dorset, as she wanted to see exactly where they were headed. But finding nothing but a bulky old atlas that was outdated and useless, Dorothy insisted they go into Marlborough to purchase a map at the bookstore.

“You do not need me to go with you, my dear,” Anna said at breakfast. “Just order the carriage and off you go.”

“But I would much rather go with you, Anna. It is so frightfully lonely traveling alone in a bouncing carriage with no one to distract me from the discomfort.”

“That is just not possible, dear Sister, as I am still sorting through all of Father’s papers and we really must meet with the solicitor before we go on our trip. There is a great deal of money at stake and we need to understand our position before we speak to Christopher’s family.”

Dorothy feigned fatigue and laid her head on the breakfast table. “Why can you not take care of that? The very idea of sitting in a hard chair listening to the solicitor going on and on about things which I have no understanding would bore me to tears.”

“My dear, we share in the estate and it should interest you, as you and Christopher will one day need to understand and make decisions about your futures.”

Dorothy sighed and played with the watery scrambled eggs on her plate. “Very well I shall go to the solicitor’s with you, but then can we stop and purchase a map afterward?”

“Of course.”

Several days after returning home from the cattle fair, Harry and Maria decided to pay a call on Anna and Dorothy. They had not seen either of them since their father’s memorial service and Maria wanted to tell them about meeting the very nice Roger Dillon.

As they pulled up the buggy in front of Repington Hall, Harry felt a twinge in his stomach as he recognized Percy’s tethered horse. It must mean that Percy was visiting too.

Maria recognized the horse as well and they looked at each other.

“Do you want to go in or turn around?” she asked.

“It is up to you,” Harry said. “But I would rather not have to make a second trip later. We are both going to need to accept the fact that your Percy is courting my Anna. We cannot pretend this situation does not exist.”

She nodded. “Very well. Then we need big smiles and patience.”

They got down from the carriage and were received by Warrick and led to the sitting room.

Anna looked up when Warrick entered. She was sitting with Percy.

“His Lordship and Miss Maria have come for a visit. Are you receiving?”

“Of course, always.” She stood. Percy followed suit.

Maria entered first, and ignoring Percy, went over and gave Anna a hug. “We just got back from the cattle fair in Winchester and Harry and I wanted to see you before you and Dorothy left for Dorset.” She turned to Percy and nodded. “Mr. Percy…”

“Miss Maria,” he responded, obviously very nervous. Then Harry stepped forward, and Percy nodded to him.

“How nice of you both to call. Mr. Percy has just come to wish us a bon voyage as well. I think we will be sent off safe and sound with all your good wishes,” Anna said, taking Harry’s offered hand to shake. “Please let us all sit. I am sorry Dorothy is not here to greet you too. She had gone for a walk just before Mr. Percy arrived and has not returned yet.”

Maria and Harry sat—the four of them in an awkward silent circle.

“Tell me all about your trip to Winchester. Did you have any fun or was it all work and no play?” Anna asked.

Maria shot a glance at Percy who met her gaze. “It was delightful. Winchester was a fair city and Harry bought a few cows to replace those recently lost.” Percy hung his head. “But what was most memorable was meeting a fellow cattle breeder and friend of Harry’s. His name is Roger Dillon and he was most attentive to me and will be visiting us a little later when he delivers our new cattle.”

Harry felt badly for his friend and said to Percy, “You must stop by some time to see them and then we can go fishing.”

Percy replied with a wan smile.

“I hope his visit will not coincide with our trip to Dorset,” Anna said. “If he should visit after we return, then we must arrange a dinner party. Dorothy and I would be pleased to meet him.”

“Miss Maria,” Percy said, “I am happy you had an agreeable trip. I know you seldom get away. It must have been refreshing for you.”

“I was telling Harry I should like to travel more often, but it is difficult for us to get away with our many responsibilities.”

Harry was having a difficult time maintaining his smile and his patience as Maria had suggested. He asked Anna, “Now that the memorial service is over are you able to settle down again, or are you still dealing with issues about the estate?”

That sobered Anna somewhat, but she replied, “It is taking time to sort everything out, but we will be meeting with the solicitor before we leave and hopefully we can get most issues settled then.”

“If you need any assistance or advice, please feel free to call upon me.” But he felt stupid saying that. He needed to disengage from her, not engage even further. He must learn to leave well enough alone.

“Thank you, but I believe almost everything is in hand.”

Percy stood. “Miss Anna, I really must go. I have paid my respects and wished you and your sister a good trip, and I trust you will tell me all about your visit on your return.”

Anna stood and walked him to the door. “Thank you, Mr. Percy. It was very kind of you to call. I shall tell Dorothy of your good wishes.”

Just as they were to reach the door, it opened, and Dorothy appeared from her walk, her bonnet in her hand and her face flush from the fresh air.

“Oh, hello… guests. My gracious, if I had known…” She held up an armful of flowers. “And look what I found along the byway. Are they not lovely?” She handed several flowers to each of the guests, ending with Percy who was just about to leave. “I am so happy. We are off to see my darling Christopher in just a few days. La… I could dance all the way there if it would not be so tiring.”

Percy took her hand and kissed it. “And a very happy voyage, Miss Dorothy.”

She touched the end of his nose. “Thank you, Mr. Percy. I shall.”

That surprised him and for some reason he teared up and covered his face.

Harry could see that Maria witnessed that and he saw the look of concern on her face.

“I am sorry. I really must go,” he mumbled and rushed out.

Maria followed after him.

Dorothy was surprised. “Is everything all right? Did I interrupt something?”

Anna said, “Everyone seems to be a little emotional this afternoon. But it is nothing serious.”

“Very well then,” she said unfazed by everyone else’s drama. “I shall find water for these flowers and then I am ready for tea.” She turned and danced out of the room.

Harry and Anna were alone, and he did not know what to say to her.

“Do you think Maria is seriously interested in that young man from the fair?” she asked, as she sat down and gestured for Harry to sit as well.

“Perhaps. But it was a very short encounter and far too early to know.”

“I should so like her to be happy. And I feel badly that Percy has pivoted his attentions to me and away from her.”

“She is being very adult about it. And now that she has interest from my friend, Roger, I do believe it relieves the sting somewhat.”

Anna lowered her gaze. “And you, Harry? How are you doing these days?”

“I am fine,” he said, not very convincingly. “I expect you must have heard about the incident with the cattle. I did not have time to tell you before we left for Winchester.”

“I did. Percy has been visiting regularly and he was quite candid about his father’s hand in the incident. He feels very badly for you. He has taken some of the shame upon himself, even though it was all his father’s doing.”

“I noticed that. And he is my friend and I will try to relieve his guilt, if I can.”

“Harry…” Anna said very quietly and looked away. “I have concerns…”

“About?”

“Percy. I have not been able to forget the advice you gave me about him and his father. I fear you are correct and, even though I have had a deep affection for Percy for some time, I find his attentions to me may not be sincere.”

Harry’s heart leapt at her statement. And hope rose in him once again. “Has he said anything that might give him away?”

“Not in words exactly, but I can tell his words are rehearsed and they fall like tin coins and do not ring true.”

Harry did not want to insert himself into her relationship with Percy and said very simply in Percy’s defense, “I know he has been under a great deal of stress with his father and the terrible economic conditions under which the family is suffering. And I know because you care for him, you are able to give him some leeway.”

That gave Anna pause for thought and she lowered her eyes and folded her hands in her lap.

At that moment Maria returned, dabbing at her eyes with her handkerchief. “I am sorry to run out like that. But, as my friend, I felt he needed some consolation.”

“Is he all right?” Anna asked.

“I think he is sad,” she addressed her brother, “He feels so badly about your cattle, Harry. He is embarrassed and feels helpless that he cannot make good on the harm his father has done you.”

“He knows I do not hold his father’s deed against him,” Harry answered.

“Nonetheless, it has hurt him more than he can admit even to himself.”

“I shall speak to him soon. He is resilient and will be his old self before you know it.”

Maria returned her attention to Anna. “Dorothy seems to be very happy with the trip.”

Anna laughed. “She never lets up. I certainly hope the family is respectable, for I fear how Dorothy might react if the family was found wanting and she could not marry Christopher. She truly is very attached to him.”

“But will she make a good wife? I am certain they will be sizing her up as well.”

Anna raised an eyebrow. “Excellent point. I have been focused on how we will evaluate them and never thought about the reverse.”

“Dorothy is young. She will mature and be an excellent wife, I believe,” Maria said. “Now I think it is time we go. How long will you be gone?”

“At least three weeks, but it could be more. It seems Mr. Christopher has plans for us to go to the seaside, which would be lovely. You know I have never seen the sea and I think it will be quite a jolly adventure.”

Maria gave Anna a kiss on the cheek. “Then we shall leave you to your preparations.”

“And if there is any way we can assist you while you are gone, please let us know,” Harry added.