Page 45 of The Scandalous Saga of the White Lady

His next thought was for Maria. He must find her.

After stabling his horse and reentering the house, he asked Daniels if he knew where Miss Maria was.

“I believe she is overseeing the laundry,” Daniels said. “Shall I tell her you want to see her?”

“Yes, please, I shall be in my study.”

“Very good, Milord.”

His next assignment was to find Christopher. But it was Christopher who found him. Harry headed toward the study to wait for Maria when Christopher came out of the study and grabbed hold of Harry’s shoulders. He looked greatly upset and he asked, “How is she? Is Dorothy ill?”

Harry had to smile at Christopher’s obvious concern. “Dorothy is not ill. But there has been a family disaster.”

Just at that moment, Maria was approaching. She heard what Harry had said and came rushing over. “What, Harry?” she asked, taking his arm a little too tightly.

They were standing in the hallway and Harry suggested. “Let us go to the study and I will explain.

“I’ll have some of that too,” Maria said to Harry. He had just poured Christopher and himself some whiskey after telling them of the tragedy but not of the inheritance.

“You drink this?” he asked his sister, surprised.

“Oh, come… do not be such a prude.”

“Very well,” he said and served them all with a glass.

“The sisters—how will they survive without their father? Do they have any income?” Christopher asked.

Harry hesitated. He was not certain he should reveal news about the inheritance.

Then Maria asked, “They have the estate at least. Might they be able to do something with that? Although I would hate to think of them having to sell.”

Harry finally decided to tell them about the inheritance and the insurance policy to ease their concerns.

“I must go see Dorothy right now,” Christopher said, “My darling must be in such turmoil.”

“Finish your drink. No… Wait until after lunch. Give her some time to adjust to the reality of what has just happened.”

“I will go with you,” Maria said. “I know they are going to need a lot of support and I want to help, however I can.”

There was a knock at the door and Daniels announced, “Mr. Percy to see you, Milord.”

“Oh…” Harry said. He was uncertain what to say to his friend. Anna had not instructed him if he should tell others or not. But if there was to be a service then, certainly, it would soon be public knowledge. But as Anna had special feelings for Percy, perhaps she would want to tell him herself. Finally, he decided to tell him. “Send him in.”

“Harry, are you…” Percy said bursting into the room. He saw that his friend was not alone. “Am I interrupting something?” Then he saw Maria. “Hello, dearest,” he said with a smile.

“As a matter of fact…” Harry went over and put his hand on Percy’s shoulder. “There is something you should know.” He turned to the others. “If you will excuse us.” He led Percy out to the terrace and they walked for a moment before Harry said, “My friend, I have some disturbing news.”

Percy looked startled. “What?”

But instead of being stricken by the news Harry imparted, Percy seemed pensive and even had the faintest smile.

“I must go see them. Do you know if they are receiving?”

Harry was puzzled by Percy’s mild reaction. “Not that I know of. Anna reached out to me because our families are so close. I know they are planning a memorial service, as I am to help organize it, but you might want to give them a few days before you visit.”

“Hmm,” Percy said thoughtfully. “You must excuse me, old man, but I really…”

And he turned and walked toward the front of the Manor where he had left his horse. This left Harry feeling somewhat bewildered and puzzled.