Chapter 6

“How are the boys?” Anna asked, as she walked with Leah around the lake.

It had been three days since she had discovered Percival in her bedchamber, three days since he had rudely kissed her hand, and three days since she had come to realize the impossibility of her task. She had gone through every list of eligible ladies that she had gathered over the last few years, pored over the descriptions and details she had compiled, and not one leaped out at her as a suitable bride.

The reason troubled her the most, however—she could not match Percival with anyone because, in truth, she knew nothing about him. She had known the man since she was six or seven years old, when he came to spend his first summer at Greenfield House, and she knew absolutely nothing about his past, his upbringing, his family, his skills and shortcomings, his likes and dislikes. All she knew of him was that he was a teasing, unkind, rude weasel, but then Max had remained his dearest friend for all those years, and Max was rarely a bad judge of character.

Leah’s head snapped up. “Sorry, I was miles away. What did you say?”

“I asked how the boys are.” Anna fought to keep a smile on her face. “I heard there was a plague in your house.”

“Oh… yes.” Leah shook her head as if a fly had landed on her face. “They are much improved. In truth, you would never know they had been unwell, for they are running wild once more.”

Anna would never have remarked upon it out loud, but her dear friend looked exhausted. Indeed, it had been a great surprise when Leah had turned up at the door of Harewood Court an hour ago, claiming that she had been passing by and thought it only right to pay a visit to her friend.

“Forgive me for asking, Leah, but… are you well?” A lump formed in Anna’s throat, as she watched tears well in her friend’s eyes.

“Goodness, what a question.” Leah laughed awkwardly and wiped her eyes. “I do not know how to begin answering. It is silly, really. I love my husband beyond words, I love my boys with all of my heart, but… when I could not attend the ball at Westyork, I was so very sore about it. I miss my friends, and we are all so far away from each other now, aside from Olivia and Phoebe. But one cannot juggle everything. I think I have realized that recently.”

Anna nodded. “We could arrange for everyone to come here—all the children, all the husbands, all the friends.”

Nothing would have made her happier, so it surprised her to see hesitation appear upon Leah’s face.

“We could not trouble you like that, Anna. This manor is so beautiful, and I would hate for the children to ruin anything. My own boys do not mean to be destructive, but it is the nature of children to want to see and touch and play with everything.” Leah gazed out across the lake. “And I would fret about them being near to this. Once they have learned to swim, perhaps.”

We could not trouble you like that… The remark stung, piercing Anna’s chest. Of course, Leah would not have meant it to be exclusionary, but Anna could not help feeling like an outsider. She might have been a part of the Spinsters’ Club, but she was not a part of the Wives and Mothers’ Club.

“I thought, perhaps, you might have brought the boys with you. It has been an age since I have seen them, and they must be so big now.” She did her best to hold onto a cheery tone.

Leah grimaced. “It was a disaster when we all went to visit Matilda. I forget what game they were playing, but they managed to smash one of the windows in that pretty summer house of hers. She insisted she did not mind, and it could be fixed, but I know for certain that Albion was pleased to see us leave.”

“You went to visit Matilda?” Anna’s throat choked.

Leah nodded. “A few weeks ago.”

It took a great deal of willpower for Anna to hold herself together, for there had once been a time when everyone would have gathered together, and an invite for one meant an invite for all. She had to remind herself, time and again, that everything had changed, and those halcyon days could not be brought back. But it was hard to do when she felt like she was a million miles away from her dearest friends, not just in distance but in life.

“It must be nice to have such a busy home,” she said brightly, refusing to be gloomy. After all, she was happy for her friends. Their happiness was something she used to pray for, and she would not cease now, simply because she was alone.

Leah smiled. “I suppose it is, actually. There is never a dull moment; that is for certain.”

“Perhaps, then, I shall visit you someday soon. If you would not mind?”

Leah turned and pulled her friend into a hug. “You are always welcome, sweet Anna.”

It was a small gesture, but a necessary reminder that Anna’s friends were still her friends, no matter what had changed. And this was just a phase of adjustment and evolution.

“May I ask something?” Anna said.

Leah pulled back. “Certainly.”

“You do not know of anyone who is in need of a husband, do you?”

* * *

Percy folded his arms behind his back as he walked alongside Anna and Dickie, following the neat paths that cut through the park. It was an overcast day, the sun fighting to burn away the clouds, but the heat was a firm reminder that they were still in the midst of summer.

“I see Lord Mawdesley over there,” Dickie said, nudging Anna gently in the arm. “Shall I push you into his path when he rides this way? Prepare your swoon, dear sister, and become every damsel you have ever read about. We shall have you married by the end of the season without question.”

Anna laughed and nudged him back. “So, it has come to this—risk life and limb in my final attempt to gain a husband?”

“There is nothing gentlemen like so much as pretending to be heroes. It is a balm to a man’s pride,” Dickie told her, grinning. “The moment he scoops you up and carries you to safety, standing at your bedside as you heal, you shall be his.”

Anna glanced over at where Lord Mawdesley was showing off his stallion to a group of acquaintances. “Nevertheless, I am more likely to stumble and fall flat on my face on the other side of the path, entirely out of his way. Tell me, oh wise one, what do gentlemen think of clumsiness?”

“It can be endearing,” Percy interjected, “if the lady is pretty and does not take her embarrassment too seriously.”

Anna narrowed her eyes at him. “And if the lady is not pretty?”

“I suppose it would depend on her nature.” Percy wished he had not spoken, but there was something about seeing Anna so at ease with her brother, so willing to let him tease her without becoming combative, that had made him envious.

He had tried to elicit that sort of banter with her for years, and had never succeeded, though he was fairly certain he was not doing anything different from Dickie or, indeed, Max when he teased her.

“All ladies are pretty in their own way,” Dickie said. “I find charm in everyone I have met.”

Anna brightened. “And one day, you might learn that it is often prudent to ignore and resist the charms of every lady you have ever met.”

“I have only danced twenty times this season!” Dickie protested.

Anna chuckled, raising her eyebrow. “Yes, at three balls.”

“I am being thorough in my search for a wife, that is all.” Dickie smiled and tipped his head back toward Lord Mawdesley. “You are certain I cannot tempt you into a daring display of flirtation?”

“I am certain, nor will I be pushing any ladies into your path while you are riding, so do not ask me.” Anna’s demeanor was so warm that it left Percy feeling cold, as if he were too far away from a brazier to feel even a hint of its heat.

He cleared his throat. “What about me?”

Anna’s eyes widened with clear panic, and Percy met her gaze. He had wanted to involve himself in the jest, not make her think he was going to make good on his threat to reveal everything about her secret identity. Still, as long as she found him a wife, she had no reason to worry.

In truth, he was amazed by what she had done. He had spent many hours in the past few days reading everything he could find about The Matchmaker, discovering what an impact that mysterious figure had made on so many lives. Ladies and gentlemen who would have been doomed to spend the rest of their days alone and miserable now had someone to share happiness with, for it was not just that she was matching people together, but she was conjuring matches of love too. Tale after tale of unexpected joy, contentment, and marital bliss.

“I would have to know what sort of horsemanship you possess,” she said carefully. “The trick to Dickie’s way of being introduced to someone, I fear, relies rather heavily on a gentleman’s ability to stop in time.”

Dickie laughed. “Goodness, yes! With such bold acts, there is a very fine line between flirtation and flattening.” He gestured to Percy. “But you could manage it, could you not? You used to be terrible, if memory serves, but you have become a very accomplished rider.”

“That first summer, I could barely stay in the saddle,” Percy admitted, remembering it fondly. His first taste of real freedom.

Just then, two other horses came riding into view, pulling up just shy of where the trio were walking. Percy straightened his posture as he saw Caroline seated upon a beautiful, bay mare, with her brother riding beside her on an impressive black stallion.

Dickie put up his hands. “If it is my money or my life, I choose my life.” He smiled at Caroline and Daniel. “Take the jewels. They are hidden beneath the carriage. I stole them not an hour ago myself, so I quite understand.”

Caroline laughed. “Alas, I forgot my pistols, so perhaps we shall let you leave with your jewels.”

“Then, perhaps you will take a kiss on the hand in exchange for my life.” Dickie stepped closer and held out his hand to her, while Daniel rolled his eyes and tried hard not to look amused.

Caroline looked at her brother, who shrugged.

“Very well,” Caroline said, putting her gloved hand in Dickie’s.

He kissed it gently, while Percy observed the interaction, remembering the soft touch of Anna’s kid glove against his lips. And as he glanced at Anna, he saw her looking at that chaste kiss too. Her gaze lifted to Percy, and sharply turned away.

What an odd creature you are.

Returning his attention to Dickie, and watching Caroline relish in his interest, Percy wondered if he should have dedicated more time to learning Dickie’s talents with women instead of learning how to ride well. If so, he would not have been stuck with the only woman in England who could not stand the sight of him.