Page 24 of The Scandalous Saga of the White Lady

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. “Iamhaving 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.”