Harry was at the gate to his largest field when Roger Dillon drove up in his wagon with the new cattle.

“You made it,” Harry called out. “Safe journey?”

“Good weather and no incidents,” Roger said as he jumped down from the driver’s seat.

The men shook hands.

“It is good to see you again so soon. Let us get these beauties into the field and then come to the house. Lunch will be served shortly, and I know one person who has anxiously been awaiting your visit,” Harry said with a sly smile.

“As have I.”

They lowered a ramp from the back of the wagon and led the cattle into the field. When done, they leaned against the fence to see how the new cattle might interact with the herd. But there appeared to be no complications, so they drove the wagon to the barn and went to the house.

Daniels showed Roger to his room as Harry went to his study where he said he would wait for Roger to return. But no sooner did he enter, then Maria showed up at his door.

“Did the new cattle arrive safely?” she asked, lingering at the door.

“They did, but Roger could not make it and sent his brother instead,” Harry said straight-faced.

Maria appeared to be devastated. “Oh… really?”

Harry laughed. “No, not at all. I sent Roger to his room to refresh himself and he should be down any moment.”

Maria let out a sigh. “Oh, you are wicked, Harry Buxton! How you tease me.”

“Harmless fun.”

“Hello,” Roger said, as he came up behind Maria. She wheeled around to face him. “It is a great pleasure to see you again.”

“And you,” Maria said. He offered her his hand and she took it, but they did not let go right away.

She lowered her eyes and blushed, as she finally withdrew her hand. “How long can you stay?”

Roger gave a quick look at Harry. “I am not in a rush to return, but I do not want to impose.”

Harry said, “You are welcome to stay as long as you like. Do you fish? We have a wonderful trout stream if you care to join me.”

“I should like that. I have never fished before but am willing to give it a try.”

“And I thought, after lunch, I might show you around Creassey.” Maria offered. “We could ride out to see the whole area or walk the lovely paths we have through the forest.”

“Whatever pleases you, Miss Maria. I would be happy to accompany you wherever you might suggest.”

Maria was flush with excitement as she and Roger left the house after lunch.

“What would suit you, Roger?” Maria asked, “Do you prefer to ride, or shall we walk?”

“I think walking would be nice. I have been seated on a bumpy wagon for two days and it would be pleasant to stretch my legs. Also, it is easier to converse if we are walking—plus, I can offer you my arm.”

That suited Maria just fine. She linked her arm with Roger’s and they set out along a ridge that gave a good view of the estate.

It was nearly the end of August, and even though it was still summer, there was the faintest hint of the approaching autumn in the air. None of the trees had started turning color yet, but overhead a V formation of geese was flying south. The air smelled fresh and the color of the light had deepened as the angle of the sun was lower in the sky.

“Creassey is a very impressive estate,” Roger said.

“How does it compare to your land?”

“Ours might be a little more extensive, but we also have a larger herd than Harry has.”

“And your house?”

“Not as large as yours, but it is handsome in its own way.”

“I should like to see it sometime. Perhaps we could visit next year before the cattle fair.”

Roger looked at her. “Or even before that. I should love to invite the two of you to visit whenever you like. I believe you would like my family and I am certain they would enjoy meeting you.”

She glanced at Roger. “That might be possible at some point. But it would most likely be in the spring as travel can be difficult in the winter.”

Maria felt a breeze picking up and she snuggled in closer to Roger. She realized she liked Roger very much. But as she realized that, she also thought of Percy.

Dear Percy… she thought. They had been so close, but now with the horrible circumstance his family was in, he was being forced to woo Anna, and it seemed so very wrong. He did not love Anna and Maria felt badly for both herself and for Anna, as both would suffer if Percy was to succeed in marrying her.

Maria knew she should forget Percy, but she could not. He had been so dear to her… he still was. But perhaps it was time to move on. And maybe Roger would be just the person to entice her. However, it was too early to know.

They were coming to a wooded area and Maria asked, “I cannot remember if you have any sisters.”

“One sister, Matilda. However, she is frail and requires a lot of attention and supervision.”

“I am sorry to hear that. Then she is unmarried?”

“She is. Sadly, we do not expect her to be with us too much longer.”

Maria placed her free hand on Roger’s arm. “I am sorry to hear that. It must be difficult for your family.”

“It is an accepted fact. We do all we can to make her comfortable, but there is only so much we can do to ease her pain.”

They entered the woods and it became cooler. Maria hiked her summer shawl up around her neck.

“Are you cold, Maria? Do you want to return to the house?” he asked.

“No, I am fine. Unless you want to.”

“What is Harry up to this afternoon?”

“Most probably he will be with the new cows. He will want to make certain they are settled in properly.”

“Then I think I should join him—if you do not mind.”

“Not at all.”

Maria was a little disappointed they would not walk further. She had hoped to spend more time with him. Was she sensing a flagging of his interest in her, or was it merely a concern for Harry and the new cows?

As they headed back toward the house, Roger asked, “Forgive me, but might I enquire if you have a living attached if you were to marry?”

This startled Maria, for it was not customary to ask a young lady such a question directly. More appropriately he should be asking that of Harry.

“Ah… I am somewhat uncertain how to answer that. Perhaps you might discuss that with Harry.”

“Ah… yes. Very well,” he responded.

He offered nothing further. Maria was very confused. It was so obvious that was an important issue for Roger, but it was handled so indelicately. This did not bode well, and she thought she should discuss this with Harry when they were alone.

As they neared the house, they could see Harry in the distance in the field with the new cattle.

“Ah, there he is. Miss Maria, I think I shall join him now. Perhaps I shall see you later?”

“At tea. We usually have it in the drawing room.”

“Good-bye for now,” he said and trotted toward the field, leaving her alone.

Percy was at loose ends. Anna was to be gone for an unknown number of weeks. It would be far too awkward and inappropriate to spend any time with Maria. And his father was pushing him to travel to London to further his hunt for a wife, in case marriage did not work out with Anna.

He tried to avoid his father as much as possible, for once in sight, the Duke would begin hounding him about how lazy he was. Why was he not on his way to London? Or moaning about how desperate he was for money and how the creditors were beseeching him daily for payments.

Percy decided to visit Harry. He could use that as an excuse, and he might find a few moments to visit with Maria, since he had supposedly come to spend time with Harry.

He escaped from his room and rode over to Creassey. As he approached, he saw Harry with a man he did not know. He rode up to them as they were securing a gate from a field they had just exited.

“Percy,” Harry called out. “I have not seen you for some time.”

“Father has demanded my attention. But I was able to slip away and thought you might want to go fishing.”

“Percy, this is my friend Roger Dillon. Roger this is Percy Garvey, also my friend and fishing mate.”

Roger saluted. “Pleasure, Mr. Garvey.”

Percy nodded.

“I cannot get away to fish just now,” Harry said. “Mr. Dillon is visiting, and we are about to join Maria for tea. Care to join us?”

Percy was uncertain but said, “Certainly, would be a pleasure.”

The three went into the house and headed to the drawing room.

Maria was already in attendance, waiting on them before serving tea.

“Hello… oh, Percy… are you joining us?”

“If I might?”

“Of course,” she said, but she also felt a little nervous. She had not expected to see Percy again so soon.

He looked at her and smiled with a somber expression. He came to the tea table and sat on one side of her as Roger sat on her opposite.

Maria found her heart was fluttering and her hand shook as she began to pour the tea. Why had Harry invited Percy to tea? This was an awkward situation. Here were the two men in her life whom she had feelings for and she did not know how to speak to either of them right now—especially in front of each other.

“And how do you take your tea, Mr. Dillion?” she asked.

“Oh, please you may call me Roger. And cream only, please.”

Maria served everyone, and as she took her first sip of tea, she glanced at Percy. Her heart flipped as she saw how sad he was.

Fortunately, Harry came to her rescue by asking Percy, “Who do you favor in the by-elections?”

Percy seemed confused and stumbled out, “Ah… ah… Not given it any thought, Harry. I have been preoccupied with other matters.”

“We have a chap in our district I should like to see replaced,” Harry said filling his plate with biscuits. “But his seat is a solid one and I see little hope in ousting him.”

Harry caught Maria’s eye and she saw he recognized the awkwardness of the situation.

“Roger, you have not met our mother this time because she is in London visiting her sister. Do you get to London often?”

Maria was relieved that Harry had directed the conversation to Roger and away from Percy.

“Occasionally. Our family has ties to several banking operations and my father and I go down to see what is going on with our investments from time to time.” He turned his attention to Maria and asked, “I noticed there are a number of fine works of art in your house. I should very much appreciate a tour. Do you think you could take some time and show me around the house after tea?”

Maria glanced quickly at Percy before answering. “I should be delighted to, but first I must confer with cook about dinner.”

Percy, without any word, stood up abruptly. He was shaking. “I really must go. I am so sorry.” He looked at Maria and she saw he was on the brink of tears.

“Percy…” Harry said trying to understand what was going on. “If Maria is going to show Mr. Dillon the house, you and I could go fishing after tea. Must you rush off?”

“Yes. I must. I am sorry I am not good company this afternoon. I should not have accepted your invitation to tea. Most sorry, Maria.” He tossed his napkin on the tea table and left quickly.

Roger seemed perplexed. “Strange fellow. Is he always so rude?”

Maria said gently, “His family is suffering a great crisis and I believe he is over-emotional at the moment.”

“Still… he seems like a real rotter to me. You say he is your friend?” he asked Maria.

“He is. In fact, we once considered marriage before his family crisis.”

“Huh… Then why was he here?”

“He is our friend, Roger,” Harry said firmly.