Charlotte and Ann were in Ann’s room scheming. How to capture Mr. Beaumont? They needed to get him alone—without his sister or mother and in a situation that did not seem forced. The meeting must appear to be accidental.

“Does he ever go into town?” Charlotte asked. “Perhaps we could meet him by chance on the street and then retire to a tea shop for a visit.”

Ann was leafing through a periodical as Charlotte lounged in a window seat. “Very difficult to arrange,” Ann said. “How would we know when he is to be in town? And most likely he would not be alone.”

“True…”

“Or we could call on him at home, saying we were out walking and you twisted your ankle, and might he assist us?” Ann suggested.

“Again, no guarantee his mother and sister would not be fussing over us. And would he not wonder how I walked all the way to Brookdale on a twisted ankle?”

“Might any of our servants be friendly with any of the Goodwin staff? Maybe we could obtain information as to Mr. Beaumont’s habits. Perhaps he rides regularly or plays whist on Wednesdays, or some such thing. That might allow us to cross his path accidentally when he might be without his mother and sister.”

“Or if he goes riding we might place ourselves in his path and feign an ankle sprain as you suggested and called upon him for his help,” Charlotte thought aloud. “That would appear to be even more of an accidental meeting.”

“Oh, that is an excellent stratagem.”

“But who might we approach on the staff to enlist as a spy for us?”

“Would Stevens know of someone?” Ann asked.

Charlotte squinched up her face. “Oh, he would never agree. He is far too strict. We need someone with less responsibility?”

“Mrs. Mead?”

“Again, too responsible.”

“One of the housemaids,” Ann asked.

Charlotte shook her head. “Too stupid.”

Then they looked at each other at the same time as they both got the same idea and said in unison, “Lucy.”

* * *

Harold was anxious to seek out his sister after the meeting with the Duke. He was still unfamiliar with the layout of the house, so did not know where to look except for the drawing room and their suite. He went directly to their rooms and found Lucy seated at a desk, writing.

“Here you are. Most fortuitous. I have some news concerning both of our futures.”

Lucy swiveled in her chair to face him. “That I should like to hear.” Harold explained the details of the Duke’s offer of employment. She listened carefully and was thoughtful when he concluded the news. “And is this something you would like to do?”

“Yes, I believe so,” her brother said. “Not that I really need to take a job for income. I am financially self-sufficient. But I do like to keep busy, and I believe you and I both need time to adjust to our new situations.”

“Then they would let both of us continue living here at Grayson Manor?” Lucy asked, appearing to have some concerns.

“For the time being. Eventually, I would like to buy property and establish that as our home. But it will take time to find the right estate, and I want to be sure I know exactly how I want to put my money to best use. Does that make sense to you?”

“I am a little concerned about the family’s reaction to my new status here. I believe the Duchess, Ann, and Charlotte are finding it difficult to adjust to my circumstances and I do not want to create contention in the family.”

Harold strode to the window and looked out over the estate, saying, “His Grace said he would speak to the Duchess about these matters.” He came over and took a chair next to Lucy. “I realize this is a big adjustment for you—and for me as well. But as I get to know you better each day, I find you to be warm and generous, and I cannot help but think that eventually, you will win them over.”

He stood up and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Lucy stood, as well, and took her brother’s hand. “Then, if you accept this offer, I believe I shall write Lady Harding and decline her offer of employment. I would much prefer staying here and concentrating on my writing. In fact, I believe I shall write my publisher today and tell him to expect new work from me shortly.”

“And, with your permission, I shall return to the Duke and accept his offer of employment.”

“You do not need my permission, but I do grant you my best wishes.”

* * *

After Harold accepted the Duke’s offer, he and Lucy decided, if they were to remain living at Grayson for the foreseeable future, it would be necessary for them to come out of hiding in their suite and join the family for tea that very afternoon.

Much to Lucy’s surprise, when they entered the drawing room for tea, she found unexpected welcoming smiles from Ann and Charlotte. Her Grace, however, looked much less happy, turning instead to her new puppy, Princess, and lavishing it with kisses and totally ignoring Lucy’s entrance.

Betsy’s face lit up when she saw Harold, but she quickly became shy and could not look at him.

* * *

Harold went to the Duchess and greeted her. “Your Grace, what a pleasure to see you again.”

“Mr. Brighton,” she said curtly.

But Harold was not to be put off by her coldness. “Your husband and I have come to an agreement. I am to co-manage the estate with him for the foreseeable future. I am happy to be of service to your family, and I trust that my sister’s and my continued presence will not disrupt you and your family’s established tranquility.”

The Duchess looked up at him. “Yes, he has spoken to me about this new arrangement. I see no reason for it, but he seems to think it is necessary.”

“Your Grace, it looks to me like you need a refill of your tea. Might I assist you in that?”

Judith turned to Flossy and jerked her head at the girl who sprang up to fetch her Grace more tea.

“Thank you, but I am taken care of.”

Harold nodded and stepped away. He obtained a cup of tea for himself and then surveyed the room. He saw Betsy sitting alone and went over to her and sat in a nearby chair.

“Miss Betsy, it seems we will be seeing a lot of each other from now on, as I am to assist your father with the estate.”

She looked over at him shyly. “That is what I understand,” she replied holding her book tightly in her lap.

Harold laughed. “It seems news travels fast in this house. I only agreed to the arrangement less than an hour ago.”

“You might as well have stood on the roof and shouted it out. There seem to be few secrets in this household. But I am happy you will be with us a while longer.” It appeared that she was conquering her nervousness with him.

“Miss Betsy, I saw you were reading when I came. What is the book?”

She showed him the novel and became animated. “Do you like to read, Mr. Harold?

“I do, but alas, I rarely find the time to do so.”

“Then let me tell you about this amazing story.” She leaned in toward him and then began to tell him about the adventures of Miss Wilhelmina Evens, the heroine of the book.

* * *

After Lucy was served her tea, she was planning to find a comfortable chair and relax from her afternoon of writing, but Ann was waving at her to come over to where she and Charlotte were seated.

Ann was all smiles—a most unusual event.

“Ann… Charlotte, I hope you do not mind me having tea with you this afternoon. But it seems Harold and I are to be staying here for some time, and I think we should try to be friends. Or, at least, that is my wish.”

“Yes, yes,” Ann said dismissively. “But there is something we need to ask you.”

“Yes?”

Charlotte spoke, “Mr. Beaumont Goodwin… we know he wants to ask one of us to marry him, but he hesitates.”

Ann picked up the narration, “And we thought it a good idea if we were to find him alone—away from his family—so that we might have a direct conversation with him. Find out his intentions and hopefully ease his way into asking one of us to marry him. You understand?”

“He just needs a little push,” Ann added.

Lucy found this amusing. It did not take a great deal of thought to figure out what the situation really was. Beaumont had made it quite clear to her several times that it was she who was the object of his interest—not either of the Grayson sisters. But was it any of her business to correct the sisters’ assumptions? She thought not.

“And we were thinking it would be useful if you might agree to help us with this matter,” Ann insisted.

Lucy decided to play along. It was intriguing to see what they might have in mind. It was so obvious they had no interest in her personally but were only trying to use her. “Of course, how might I be of assistance?”

“You are so friendly, and everybody loves you.” Ann shifted in her chair as though she was uncomfortable with her false flattery. “And we thought you might know of someone amongst the servants who would have connections with the Brookdale staff. It would be so useful if we could find out Mr. Beaumont’s habits so that we might contrive an accidental meeting with him—if you understand.”

“And how do you think that would help? Certainly, if he wanted to ask for your hand in marriage, he would do so.”

They seemed blunted by her honest and obvious statement.

Charlotte smiled. “But what you do not understand is the persuasive powers of our many assets. We think he has not had the opportunity to fully discover our many charms. And if we were to get him alone, away from the distractions of his family, he would surely see which of us his obvious choice must be.”

Ann scowled at Charlotte for thinking it was she who would be chosen.

Lucy decided to play along with this deception. “I should be happy to help. Now, exactly what is it you wish me to do?”

Just then George came into the drawing room. It was clear he had just come from painting as he was in his work clothes and had smudges of paint on his face. He looked around and, seeing Lucy, went directly to her, interrupting, just as Ann was about to describe what they needed Lucy to do for them.

“Sisters, might I tear Lucy away from you for a moment? I need just a few words with her.”

Lucy turned to Ann and shrugged. “Excuse me, please.”

She stood and walked aside with George, happy to escape the sisters, but knowing they would not let her escape for long.

“Lucy, I just heard the news. Harold has accepted the position. And I must ask, what does this mean for you? Are you still planning to accept the position with Lady Harding?”

Lucy was thrilled he was asking her that question. “I am not. Your father has granted that Harold and I may continue living at the Manor until my brother is able to obtain a suitable estate for our use.”

“Then you intend to remain in Dorset?”

“I do. Harold has graciously offered to let me live at his estate as long as I wish. And in the meantime, he is supporting me with my writing.” Lucy could not believe she was about to say this, but she could not help herself. “And he plans to establish a substantial living on me if I should ever decide to marry.”

She could not look George in the eyes after she said that. It was such a brazen thing to say. He could not help but understand her meaning.

In fact, when she finally did look up at him, he seemed to be struggling with his own inner turmoil. She then said, as lightly as she could, “So you see, you may continue to count on me to model for you, from time to time—as long as it does not interfere with my writing.”

He just looked at her for the longest moment and then smiled and said, “I shall not paint you again until it is your official portrait as an established novelist. However, in the meantime, you still have your writing desk in the studio, and you are welcome to use it at any time.”

“Now, that is an offer I cannot refuse.”

Ann came over and, taking hold of her brother’s arm, asked, “Are you finished with our dear Miss Lucy yet? We need her for just a little while longer, and then you are free to carry on. May I?” she asked, taking hold of Lucy’s hand and backing up and pulling Lucy with her.

Lucy cast a look at George, and he smiled and winked at her and waved his hand at his sister, allowing her to take Lucy away.

Lucy’s mind was still swirling with her audacious announcement to George about her newly acquired living, but she was brought quickly back to the moment when she sat opposite the sisters.

“Now what we need from you,” Charlotte began, “is for you to see who amongst our staff have an acquaintance with any staff at the Brookdale Estate. And if there are any such folks let us know so that we may instruct them on what we need.”

“Can you do that for us, Lucy?” Ann asked.

It was little enough to ask, and Lucy hoped that by helping them she might establish a more-friendly relationship with the sisters. “Of course. Let me inquire around, and I will let you know what I discover.”

That seemed to satisfy them, and they immediately stood and went to refresh their tea without offering to do the same for her.