Daniels was still manning the drinks table. It was not yet time for the first guests to be leaving, so Maria was finally free to have her dance with Percy. He cast a glance her way and she nodded for him to come over.

“Finally,” he said. “I thought we might never get our dance together.”

“The trials of being a hostess.”

Percy took her arm and led her to the dancefloor when the next dance was ready to start—a cotillion.

“My dearest Maria, it seems I hardly get to see you anymore. You are always so busy.”

“It has been difficult since father passed. And with mother in constant pain and incapacitated, Harry and I must take care of the entire estate. It is a lot of work and I am either overseeing some household obligation or I am exhausted and not good company.”

“I should love to take you away some afternoon. Perhaps we could have a picnic—just the two of us. Might you be able to get away for a few hours for that?”

She smiled. “I would love that. But I hope you do not expect me to put the picnic together?”

Percy laughed. “Well, I was hoping you might. Our cook can barely fry an egg, let alone organize a basket lunch.” He pouted. “Please, you do such wonderful things with food.”

“Well, cook does. She is a gem and we are pleased to have her.”

Percy gave her a pleading look, and she replied, “Oh, very well. I can arrange something.”

The steps of the dance carried them away from each other for a moment before reuniting them. And Percy put his arm around Maria’s waist, even though it was not called for in the dance.

Maria looked up at him wanting to ask, “Dearest, have you developed any plans for your future? Last time we spoke you said you were thinking of scouting in London for some sort of profession?”

Percy pressed his lips together feeling uneasy where this conversation was heading. “Yes, Father spoke to me about going to London soon. I might well do that in the autumn. Until then, I am content to enjoy my summer at home.”

“But, you keep putting it off.”

“Yes, I know,” he said with an edge to his voice. “But these things cannot be rushed. I need to consider all my options and select just the right… one.”

Annoyed at his evasiveness, Maria asked, “And what are those options, Percy?”

He took her arm as the dance ended and escorted her off the floor. “We can discuss these issues later. Let us just enjoy the evening for the moment, shall we?”

“As you wish.”

Anna was alone at the table. Dorothy was dancing with a gentleman they did not know. Harry came over and sat with her.

“Dear Anna, what an exhausting evening. But I hope you are having a jolly time?”

Anna smiled. She was still in the warm glow of her excitement with building the well house for Harry. “I am having a jolly time. Mr. Stewart has danced with Dorothy and me several times and a couple other gentlemen have offered to dance with me, as well. It has been a delight.”

“I am happy to hear that. But I must say I shall be relieved when this is over. Poor Maria has been overworked getting ready. But I know it would have been much worse without you and Dorothy’s kind help.”

“Oh, no, it was our pleasure.” For a brief moment their eyes were focused on the dancers. Anna asked, “Who was the charming young lady to your left at supper? I never caught her name.”

“She is Miss Nora Fitzwalker, the daughter of the Lord Mayor of London. She is staying with her grandparents in Wiltshire, and Maria thought to invite her.”

Anna felt a twinge of jealousy at the thought of the lovely Miss Fitzwalker occupying so much of Harry’s attention at dinner.

“I imagine she shall be returning to London shortly,” Anna said, trying to find out more about this woman.

“No. She is staying for the summer.” Then he said quite brightly, “And she is interested in learning to fly-fish, and I shall have occasion to teach her when she comes to see my cattle.”

This did not please Anna at all. But she also realized she was in no position to object.

At that moment, Dorothy returned escorted by Christopher.

“Hello, you two,” Christopher said. “Are you to have the next dance together?”

Anna turned hopefully to Harry, but he waived his hand dismissing the idea.

“Not at the moment. Feel free to dance with Miss Anna, if you please.”

Christopher bowed. “Then, Miss Anna, may I?” he asked, offering her his hand.

“If you will excuse me,” she said to Christopher, “But my energy is fading, and I feel the need to go home shortly. But first, I must find our Dorothy who has disappeared again. But she is probably enjoying herself and will be unwilling to leave.”

Harry leaned in toward her and said, “I will find her for you. I am exhausted myself, and if you leave, others might follow.”

Anna was disappointed he did not try to stop her from leaving but she was also ready to go, so did not object.

As it turned out, Dorothy was also tired, and after Harry retrieved her, she and Anna thanked Harry and made their way to Maria to say good evening.

Anna gave Maria a kiss on both cheeks. “Wonderful evening, dear Maria.”

“And wonderful flowers, thanks to you two. But are you really leaving so soon?”

“We are tired, as you must be, as well. If you like, we can stop by tomorrow to help clear up.”

“Not at all. Staff will take care of all of that,” Maria said.

Anna gave a last look around the party. It did look as though others were thinking of leaving. Except for the group around Aunt Agatha who was still keeping her audience enthralled with her adventure stories.

The sisters were quiet on the ride back to Repington Hall. But Anna roused herself to ask Dorothy, “Did you enjoy the evening?”

Dorothy opened her closed eyes and said sleepily, “I did. Is not that Mr. Stewart charming? He dances very well and was very attentive to me.”

“Yes, I think he finds you very charming.”

“But was he not to be your partner for the evening?”

“There were not any set plans. However, I think he warmed to your charms and cooled to mine.”

“Oh, Anna, that cannot be so. I believe he danced with you as much as he danced with me.”

Anna suddenly became excited. “In any case, the highlight of the evening for me was to have Harry ask me to build a well house for him. Can you imagine? My first commission.”

“A well house. That is not very glamorous.”

“I know. But it is a start, and I promised him it would be the best well house in all of Great Britain.”

Dorothy laughed. “Really, Anna, it takes very little to make you happy, is that not so?”

Anna rested her head back against the seat of the coach. “I guess so. But since Father will not let me build for him, then I must take what I can get.”