“Never enough.”
Finally, with Jasper’s help, Anne managed to pull back the string, aim, and release. The arrow flew a few yards in a weak arc before falling to the grass far short of the target.
Mr. Dalby clapped languidly. “Bravo.”
Embarrassed, Anne handed back the bow to Colonel Paine. “Thank you. Now I shall leave it to the experts.”
The garden gate opened, and a broad-shouldered man entered. He seemed familiar but Anne didn’t immediately recognize him.
“If it isn’t Albert, my dear brother-in-law,” Jude Dalby drawled. “Miss me already?”
The man strode in his direction, but first bowed to Katherine Fitzjohn, removing his hat as he did so, which revealed fair, slightly receding hair and an attractive face. “Miss.”
“Mr. Palling.” Katherine inclined her head. “A pleasure to see you as always. You know Colonel Paine, I believe. And this is Miss Loveday.”
“Ah! Anne Loveday, of course. Haven’t seen you in years. A pleasure. You are well, I hope?”
“I am, thank you.”
Mr. Palling turned back to Mr. Dalby. “Came to find you. You were supposed to oversee the transfer of wool to the dyehouse today. Remember?”
“Was I? Slipped my mind. Took care of it for me, I trust, brother?”
“No. It’s your responsibility,brother.”
Anne sensed the tension and even animosity between the two and wondered why. Was it only because Mr. Dalby had failed in his responsibilities, or was there more to it?
Jude Dalby gave him a sour smile. “Very well. Give me ten minutes.”
She saw Katherine send Mr. Palling an apologetic look and mouth,Sorry.
When the man had gone, Mr. Dalby said acidly, “No one told me having an interest in a mill would be so very amusing.” He frowned at Katherine. “And you need not fawn over him, Kat. He is hardly your equal.”
“I didn’tfawn. And what are you talking about? You married his sister.”
“That’s different.”
“Why?” Katherine challenged. “Are we not all equal in God’s sight?”
“Best not let your mother hear you say that. She’d remind you that you are the daughter of the great Sir Herbert Fitzjohn. Whereas I am only a nephew.”
Katherine sniffed. “In any case, I don’t like to see you shirk your duty.”
“No pity for a widower?”
“Not any longer.”
He rose with a groan and handed Anne the lead. “Very well. I’m going, I’m going.”
Realizing she had shirked her own duty long enough, Anne returned to the house with Louie.
That evening, after delivering Lady Celia’s dinner, Anne visited the water closet and then went down to the kitchen for her own meal. Mrs. Pratt was just sitting down with a bowl of chicken-and-leek soup and invited Anne to join her. Anne agreed and sat near her to enjoy delicious soup and bread and pleasant conversation. The woman had been with the family for many years. She told Anne she had known Miss Katherine and her cousins since they were children, as she’d worked her way from kitchen maid to cook and now cook-housekeeper.
On her way back upstairs, Anne saw Mr. Dalby and Katherine in the parlour, dressed for dinner. Mr. Dalby asked, “Where is Jasper?”
“Having his dinner on a tray with Mamma,” Katherine told him.
Anne paused, surprised by that news. He must have gone into Lady Celia’s room just after Anne left it.
