Page 107 of The Scandalous Saga of the White Lady

“I think Christopher might challenge you on that statement,” she said laughing.

He handed her the flowers, and he went to her desk and picked up her drawings. “We have yet to discuss the well house. Is it still something you want to do?”

“Why not? And now that we are to be married I will pester you endlessly to build many more projects.”

“How can I refuse you, my dear, you know my heart is yours and I can deny you nothing.”

“It is a good thing you are marrying someone as practical as me, for I shall never take advantage of you.”

Harry smiled slightly as he said, “Anna, there is something I need to do that I was unprepared for yesterday.”

“Oh?”

Harry reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a ring. “This was my grandmother’s and I want it to be yours. This will seal our engagement.”

He took her hand and placed the delicate ring on her finger. It was a modest but beautiful white gold set with a ring of small diamonds around a larger central pink diamond.

She held it up to examine. “Oh, Harry, it is so very lovely. Thank you.” She leaned forward and they kissed—her heart filling with love and tenderness. After the kiss, she laid her head on his chest and felt his heart beating and the soft comfort of his breath.

Releasing him, she stepped back and said, “Harry, we need to talk about the wedding.”

“Actually, there is something very important I need to speak to you about, as well.”

She offered him her hand and they went to a cozy window seat that overlooked the estate park.

“You first,” she said.

“Very well. First, I have some news for you. Percy has proposed to Maria and she has provisionally accepted.”

Anna clapped her hands together. “Oh, Harry that is wonderful news!” Then she hesitated. “But why has Maria only provisionally accepted?”

Harry laid out their dilemma and the obstacles that must be overcome before they could marry.

“Hmm,” Anna mused. “Have you suggested a solution?”

“I have several ideas, but I wanted to discuss them with you first.”

Anna stood up. “One moment, please,” she asked. She wandered the room touching familiar objects as she was thinking. Finally, she returned and sat opposite Harry again. “I have an idea.”

“I would love to hear.”

“As you may or may not know, Dorothy and Christopher had a little spat while we were in Dorset.”

“I did not know.”

“But it has been mended. Christopher arrived the other day to plead with her not to forsake their love. And she, unsurprisingly, agreed the marriage should go forward.”

“Then there are to be two weddings now. Well, three if Percy and Maria can sort out their difficulties.”

“And that is the issue I should like to address.”

“I am listening,” he replied.

“As you know, Dorothy and I are the only heirs to our father’s estate. There are no other relatives near or far. And with Dorothy marrying and moving to Dorset, and you and me soon to marry, there will be no one left to run or live at Repington—assuming you and I are to live at Creassey.”

“That was my thought. As the Earl, I must maintain my estate and there is now an established business there. But how do you feel about that?”

“I am in complete agreement with that decision. And this is what I am thinking. Hear me out.”