Harry knew what had happened between Maria and Percy the morning Percy had come to see him after the incident with the cattle. Maria had not told Harry about their meeting, but he could tell by the way she was listless, quiet, and not her usual energetic self.

The Winchester cattle fair was coming up next week and, even after the loss of their five cattle, Harry was determined to attend. He might also consider purchasing two or three more cows if they were of good quality and the price was right.

Maria had previously expressed interest in going to the fair this year, so one morning at breakfast, when she appeared to be a little more chipper, he asked, “How difficult would it be for you to get away for a few days?”

Maria set her fork on her plate and reached for the toast and the pot of strawberry and rhubarb jam. “Get away to where?”

“Winchester. The cattle fair. You said you might like to go with me this year.”

“Oh…” This seemed to surprise her. “When is it?”

“We would leave next Wednesday. I am not showing any animals this year, so it would be an easy journey. Would you like to come? We would be gone about four days—unless I decide to buy a few animals to replace some of our losses. Then it might be a day or two longer while I arranged transportation for them.”

“Hmm. Let me think about it. We currently have no guests since Aunt Agatha left. If I can make certain all is well with the staff, I might enjoy a break. I will let you know later today.”

Harry hesitated to bring it up but finally said, “You have seemed to be rather despondent recently. I would like to cheer you up—if I can.”

She smiled rather sadly. “I have had a lot on my mind.”

“Percy?” he asked as delicately as he could.

She nodded but did not respond. Best to leave it alone, he thought.

The cattle fair was being held on the outskirts of Winchester in a large field that had been fenced into pens for use by the various exhibitors. Harry, always far thinking, had made a hotel reservation last year for this year. Harry and Maria would need to share the room, but they had shared before when they had traveled, so it was not a problem for them.

They arrived the afternoon before the event was to begin. As they spent the early evening wandering around the town, Maria seemed much brighter and enjoyed popping into various shops and purchasing a few items for the house or for herself.

They decided to dine at the hotel, as it had a pleasant looking dining room and the menu seemed promising.

“Beer or wine?” Harry asked Maria as they finished ordering.

“We are in a nice restaurant. Let us share a bottle of wine.”

Harry selected a French Burgundy and they relaxed until the waiter brought the glasses and poured the first serving.

Maria asked, “Do you know any of the exhibitors?”

“Quite a few. We have met here over the years, and I have purchased our cattle from a number of the breeders here. Of course, my goal is to enlarge our herd enough that I will be selling here in the next year or two.”

“Do you still enjoy your work with the cattle?”

“Very much so. Aside from a few setbacks now and then,” he said with a knowing smile.

“Your Lordship,” a gentleman said, as he approached their table.

Harry looked up and said, “Roger… Here we are again. Another year gone by.” Harry stood and took Roger’s hand to shake. He turned to Maria and said, “Maria, this is my friend, Roger Dillon. He is also a breeder of Kerry cattle. Roger, this is my sister, Maria.”

Roger was just a little older than Harry. He was a strong man, tanned from a great deal of exposure to the sun and with a very warm and pleasing smile. His deep blue eyes focused on Maria and he bowed slightly. “What a great pleasure to meet you, Miss Maria. Is this your first time at the Winchester fair?”

“It is,” Maria said, blushing, as she took his hand and he leaned over and kissed it. “I assume you come every year?”

“Every year. But it is not far, as my estate is close to the nearby town of Stockbridge.”

“Are you here to dine?” Harry asked.

“I am.”

“Then will you join us?”

“I would be most pleased to.”

“Is your wife with you?” Maria asked.

“I am not married. I live on the family estate with a sister, my brother, who works with me, and my father. My mother passed away some time ago.” He smiled sweetly as he asked. “And your husband? Is he also a cattle breeder?”

“I live with Harry at home. I am not yet married either,” she said lowering her eyes.

Harry raised his hand and signaled to the waiter to bring another place setting, a chair, and another bottle of wine.

After being seated, and placing his dinner order, Roger took out his pocket watch which chimed when he opened it.

“What a charming watch,” Maria said, “Is it a family heirloom?”

“It was my great-grandfather’s. It is very special to me.” He turned to Harry and asked, “Did you bring any livestock to the show this year?”

“No. We had an incident recently and I decided to keep it simple this year.”

“Incident?”

Harry explained the loss of a few of his cattle and the circumstances.

“What a dastardly act! Did you shoot the culprit?”

Harry laughed. “The man responsible was a neighbor and a member of the peerage. It did not seem appropriate at the time.”

Roger laughed. “Wiltshire sounds like the wild west of America. Do you feel safe there, Miss Maria?” he asked, turning to her with a teasing smile.

“Quite safe. It was an aberration, I assure you.”

At that point, dinner was served, and the conversation drifted to less controversial topics, but Harry was delighted to see Maria warm up to his friend, Roger. She seemed to be her old happy self again.

After dinner, the evening was still young, and Roger suggested a stroll around the city’s square. “There is a shop that sells the most delightful ice cream—if you care about such things?”

“I should like that,” Maria said. “Harry, may we?”

“I do not see why not. We recently had a very hot spell, and I must say, ice cream crossed my mind more than once or twice.”

Maria gave Harry a furtive look, and a shake of her head, which he took to mean she should like to walk out with Mr. Dillon alone.

Harry was happy to oblige. “Roger, you know, I think I might excuse myself this evening. I am feeling the need to study the catalogue for tomorrow’s opening. Why not the two of you go ahead? Maria, I shall see you on your return. Enjoy yourselves.”

Roger said, “I am certain we shall. And Harry…”

“Yes?”

“Perhaps we might meet sometime during the fair. I have a number of issues I would like to discuss with you.”

“Would be happy to. And let me ask, do you have any animals for sale this year?”

“I do. Catch me tomorrow morning after breakfast and let’s talk.”

Harry saluted his friend and headed toward their room.

“What a refreshing evening,” Maria said, as she and Roger stepped out of the hotel onto the street.

“Delightful.” Roger offered his arm. “Then you do not know Winchester?”

“Harry and I explored some of the shops this afternoon, but that is all I know so far.”

“The square is this way.”

They headed to the charming town square and began walking. Maria was intrigued to see so many shops still open this time of night.

“I assume neither your brother nor your father came with you to the fair?” she asked.

“Correct. We have quite a large number of cattle and we felt we could only spare one of us to come this year.”

Maria pointed ahead. “That must be the ice cream shop.”

“It is. Are you ready for some yet?”

“I should like to walk a little more first. It is such a lovely evening.”

“And you, Miss Maria, how do you occupy your time in Wiltshire?”

“Harry manages the estate and I manage the household. We work well together, but we both work hard, so coming away to Winchester for a few days is a great treat for me.”

Roger hesitated but asked, “And do you have a young man in your life? Might there be an engagement any time soon.”

That gave Maria pause and she felt a twinge of pain as she thought of her last meeting with Percy.

“Not at present. There was a young man, but unfortunately his family is in difficulty and he is unable to make an offer of marriage.”

“That must be sad for you.”

She looked up at him and sadly smiled. “We cannot always choose where life leads us.”

Roger patted her hand. “Then I know of a very delicious strawberry ice cream that will soothe away your cares.”

“Strawberry? That might be nice, but I would rather have chocolate.”

“Then chocolate it shall be.”

Maria had thought to remain at the hotel the next morning as the fair got underway, but Harry insisted she join him, and she was happy she did. There was a lot of activity at the fair besides the cattle. There were jugglers, hawkers of various foods and wares, and a strolling band that played lively music. Maria was quite enjoying herself.

Harry finally led her to the pen where Roger had his cattle, and she climbed onto the fence and sat watching Harry and Roger negotiate the price of a couple of cows Harry wanted to buy.

Finally, they slapped hands and shook on their deal and Harry came over to her and hopped on to the fence and sat next to her.

“Did you get the price you wanted?” Maria asked.

“Close enough. And the good part is, Roger is going to bring the cattle to me.” Harry leaned in and whispered. “But I think what he really wants is to see you again. And I invited him to stay on with us for a few days. Does that please you?”

“I would not object,” she said with a huge smile.

“You like Roger, then?”

“Perhaps. We shall have to see. I do find him interesting. But, of course, he has one major drawback.”

“And what is that?”

“He breeds cattle,” she said and laughed.

Maria was pensive as she and Harry returned toward home in their carriage at the end of the fair. It has been a success for Harry as he purchased three cows to replace several that had been lost in the attack. For Maria, it was freeing to get away for a few days from the pressures of her daily routine. She had had a great deal of fun with Harry at the fair and enjoyed exploring Winchester. But she had to admit, perhaps the best part was meeting Roger Dillon. Not that she had feelings for him, but he was handsome, attentive, and he seemed to be interested in her. She had only been half joking when she said a drawback was that he was a cattle breeder. She knew what that life was like and was not certain she wanted to commit the rest of her life to that lifestyle on a permanent basis.

As they neared home, Harry asked, “Do you think we shall find our house still standing?”

Maria looked askance at him. “Why ever would we not?”

“Perhaps all the staff has run away, and the Duke has burned the house to the ground.”

“Oh, Harry, what a fanciful idea. Really, you can be quite ridiculous at times.”

“I did enjoy myself at the fair though. It was good to get away for a time.”

“It was. But it is going to be quiet when we get back with Christopher returned home, Aunt Agatha and Mr. Oakley gone, and Anna and Dorothy about to set off on their trip to Dorset. We shall be quite alone.”

“We always have each other,” Harry reminded her.

“We should visit Anna and Dorothy before they leave,” Maria said but glanced at Harry. “Unless it pains you to see her, knowing Percy is courting her.”

That gave Harry pause. “Anna is first and foremost our friend. Whether she eventually becomes the Duchess of Crauford or not—it will never lessen our feelings toward her and Dorothy.”

“Well said, dear brother.”