A Sibling's Interference

Chapter Twenty-Five

 Astonished, I stared at him. "My father?" I repeated.

Davison nodded. "I've shown him up to the drawing room, and have informed Mrs. Wallace to prepare a tray of refreshments," he informed me.

"We will take our leave," Sir Harrow announced. He offered his hand to me. "I am glad we have resolved this matter."

"I hope to have no more trouble while I am here," I responded, shaking his hand. "Thank you for your assistance. I appreciate the trouble and effort you went to. When things have calmed down, I would like to have you and your wife dine with me. A proper dinner."

"Certainly, certainly!" Sir Harrow agreed enthusiastically. "Don't hesitate to come to me if there is any more mischief. We don't want you to be run out of the neighborhood!"

Farewells from the rest of the group were more subdued. The young Mr. Campbell would not meet my gaze, and his family was quiet. Captain Campbell swore to have the funds for the window repairs within the week. Mr. and Mrs. Fenwick hurried out without speaking to anyone.

Philippa and Talbot were holding hands and speaking quietly together. I left them as they were and hurried out of the room. However, I made sure to leave the door of the library open.

What a day it had been! My mind was whirling with the memories. So much had happened and it was not yet evening. What would the rest of the day bring me?

"Welcome to Pearsend, Father," I said as I entered the drawing room. Thankfully, the room had not been tampered with during the scavenger hunt. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. My guests were just leaving."

"I did not think you intended on entertaining," Father responded as he turned to face me. He stood at the windows, looking down at the garden.

"If I had been able to avoid it, I would have," I admitted. "There has been some mischief around the place, but it's been resolved."

Hopefully for good.

My father glanced around the room. "It is not as bad as you described it," he commented.

"We've all been working hard over the past month to get it to where it is now," I explained. "I'm confident by the time winter hits, the roof and the stable will be solid. Most of the water damage will be taken care of by next summer."

"Next summer?" Father repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Just trying to stay within my means. I've consulted a carpenter and he agrees that the biggest problems have been addressed. Anything that's left can wait until summer."

"If you were so eager to be responsible for an estate, you could have simply said so," Father told me. "Oakcrest would not have needed such extensive repairs."

Somehow, I'd known Father would bring up the small estate. "That's true," I agreed, choosing my words with care. "However, if I'd decided to raise sheep, what would you have done?"

"Sheep?" Father echoed, his voice becoming bewildered. "Why on earth would you want to raise sheep? Horses do well there. To make such a sudden change would not make sense."

"And that is why I did not ask for Oakcrest," I informed him. "First of all, I should not expect you to simply give me something of that value. While I admit that Pearsend came to me in...an unconventional way, it is mine outright. No one gave it to me. And second, I would never accept something that would result in you hanging over every decision I made."

"I would not have-" Father's protest died away as I raised my eyebrow at him. He shook his head. "Fine. Perhaps I would have, but only because I have more experience than you. Isn't it better for you to learn from that instead of floundering?"