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?"

"I didn't realize I was floundering."

To his credit, Father's expression became one of shame. "No. I don't suppose you are," he said quietly. "From the little I've seen, you're managing things very well. Of course, the accounts book might tell a different story."

"It doesn't." And I was not going to offer it for him to examine. "I'd expected to hear from you sooner. Please tell me you're here to take Philippa home."

With a shake of his head, Father straightened up. "Your mother and I thought it might be best to give her some time to reflect on what she's done," he responded. "We knew Talbot came to make amends."

"Is that what he was supposed to do?" I asked with a slight laugh. "Well, Philippa has been so furious, she's refused to speak to him at all. Fortunately, though, he's redeemed himself in her eyes. I suspect their engagement will be back in place by the time we go down or they come up."

And I was pretty proud of that. I hadn't been sure how I would force them back together, but circumstances had done it for me.

Father eyed me as though uncertain what to make of it. "How has she been?" he asked.

"Childish," was the first word to leave my lips. I paused and shook my head. "Since the moment she arrived, Philippa has insulted my home, demanded to be hostess, and accused me of being unfeeling."

This made Father blink rapidly. "What do you mean?"

Before I could explain, Philippa herself ran through the door. "Father!" she exclaimed happily. She threw herself into Father's arms for an embrace. "I didn't know you were coming! Did you have a good journey? How was Mother when you left her?"

"Your mother was in good spirits," Father answered, hugging her. "Miles Russell had a certain Midnight Summer delivered this past week. Your mother has managed to walk to the stables every day, despite the doctor's instructions not to do so."

I couldn't keep from grinning. I'd bought the horse from Miles' father so that Mother would have a horse of her own. She might not be able to ride, but there was no reason she couldn't dote on a horse that was past its prime and needed a peaceful place to live out its days.

"Oh, I hope she isn't overdoing it," Philippa said, her tone filled with concern as she pulled back. "No one said anything about another horse arriving."

Father's gaze flicked to me. "It was a surprise to us all," was all he said. "Your mother wishes you home, Philippa."

"Oh, yes!" Philippa exclaimed. "I've had quite enough of Lucas' company."

"Well, I like that!" I teased. "Aren't you the one who insisted that you needed to stay? If I'd known you wanted to go home, I'd have borrowed Sir Harrow's carriage and sent you back."

Philippa scowled at me. "Did you tell Father about the trouble you've had these past week?" she asked pointedly. "I'm sure he wants to hear all about what you've been doing."

"There hasn't been time," I said calmly. I wasn't sure I wanted to tell Father the full story. No doubt, he'd disapprove of my choice not to pursue charges against anyone. "Did you tell Father that you invited Miss Darkin to visit without telling me you'd done so?"

Father glanced between us. Philippa's cheeks reddened. "Oh! You're awful!"

"What's this, Philippa?" Father asked. "What does Miss Darkin have to do with this?"

I gestured for Philippa to explain. She ducked her head and muttered out an explanation. Seldom did I see such open astonishment in Father's expression as he listened to her speak. Just as she was reaching the end of her tale, Talbot came into the room.

"Sir," he greeted, extending his hand to my father. "I'm sorry you had to come all this way. I would have returned Philippa to you in a few days."

"How could I be sure of that?" Father asked, his tone reproving. "I'd heard nothing from you since you left. The only news I had was from Lucas."

Talbot shifted on his feet, his gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before meeting Father's eyes again. "I apologize, sir. I should have written."

"Don't be mad at Mr. Talbot!" Philippa exclaimed. She rushed to the man's side and grabbed his arm. "He's been so busy since he came here!"

It took all my self-control not to laugh at that. What had he been doing? Aside from attending dinner parties, that is.

"Well, it's water under the bridge now," Father said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "The important thing is that everything seems to have been worked out for the best."

"But has Lucas explained to you the trouble he has had?" Philippa asked. She turned wide, innocent eyes towards me. "He has hardly been sleeping at all because of what's happened!"

Annoyed, I shook my head at her. "I have not gone into the details since it has been resolved," I told her.

"That's what you thought before, didn't you?" Philippa fired back.

"What do you mean?" Father asked, glancing between us. "What has been happening?"

Molly hurried in with a tea tray. Without making eye contact with anyone, she carried the tray to the table and set it down. She bobbed a curtsy and then rushed back out.

"Let's have some tea," I invited, gesturing to the chairs and the settee. "You must have had a long journey, Father. Will you be going back tomorrow?"

He slanted a glance at Philippa and Talbot. "If all has been resolved," he responded, vaguely. Father sat down in one of the chairs, tensing as it creaked under him. "I am interested in this trouble Philippa mentioned. What happened?"

~*~

By keeping to the bare minimum when it came to the facts, I was able to relate the mischief and trouble that had happened in the last couple weeks in only a few minutes. I watched as Father's expression shifted from curiosity to disbelief as I recounted the events of the past weeks. Philippa interjected with her own embellishments and dramatics, only adding fuel to the fire. Talbot remained quiet, watching Philippa.

"Well," Father finally said. "It seems you've had an interesting situation on your hands. Are you sure letting them all walk away was the right course of action?"

"Of course it's not!" Philippa exclaimed. "That man pushed me to the ground! Now they will believe they can just do whatever they wish with no consequences!"

I glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. "You're one to speak," I told her.

She flushed a bright red and glared at me. I, however, turned back to Father. "I trust Sir Harrow," I informed him honestly. "He knows the neighborhood well. If there were another way to handle this in a better way, he would have suggested it.

To my surprise, Father nodded. "That sounds like a wise decision," he said. "I am sorry I will not have the time to meet this Sir Harrow."

For a moment, I struggled to find my voice. A wise decision? When had Father ever expressed approval for a decision I made? "He will be disappointed to meet you as well," I managed to say. "But there will be other visits. Planned visits."

"How you do go on about plans, Lucas!" Philippa exclaimed. "Father, he has done nothing but complain about me being here since I arrived!"

"You did arrive unexpectedly, Philippa," Father responded. "Any host would find that a frustrating thing to handle. Especially when he is in the middle of renovations."

"I didn't mean to cause trouble," Philippa said, her tone quiet. For a moment, she looked as though she was going to burst into tears. However, she blinked and composed herself. "I won't do it again."

Finally-finally-Philippa looked ashamed and she dropped her gaze. At least she was willing to listen to our father, if she hadn't listened to me. A part of me was annoyed, but what could I do?

"I suppose you will want to set the wedding date now," Father commented, changing the subject.

While Philippa nodded eagerly, Talbot hesitated. "I think our original plan for a long engagement is still the best course," he said. As he spoke, he reached over and took my sister's hand in his. "There is still much we need to learn about each other."

There was a flash of what could only be disappointment in Father's expression. No doubt he wanted to make sure this didn't happen again, but I was on Talbot's side. He and Philippa needed more time to know each other.

"I trust you both to make the right decision for yourselves," Father said, his tone becoming serious. "However, I do caution you. A broken engagement is not a mere trifle. It can, and has, ruined the reputation of many. If you do not feel you are suited now-"

"No!" Philippa exclaimed. "I was wrong. I see that now. I won't make the same mistake again! I promise!"

"I would not have expected you to make this mistake at all, which makes me question whether you are ready for marriage," Father told her. He glanced at me. "But this is a discussion we will save for another time."

Philippa's eyes were wide and round. "But Father-"

"Another time, Philippa." Father's tone was firm, brooking no argument. "Have you thanked Lucas for letting you stay here?"

While it was satisfying to not be the one being scolded, I did feel a bit sorry for Philippa. I did not need to be a witness to her being humbled and put in her place, even if I was glad it was being done. Perhaps there was hope for her to learn from her mistakes.

"Thank you for letting me stay, Lucas," my sister said, dropping her gaze. "I am sorry for the trouble I have caused you."

"You are welcome," I responded. "Just try not to make a habit of arriving unannounced."

Talbot cleared his throat. "My father has asked me to be in London after the first of the year," he commented, completely changing the subject. "Will your family be there for the season?"

"We will not," Father said firmly.

Philippa made a strangled sound of protest in her throat, but didn't say anything.

"I'm considering it," I answered. "In fact, I had thought to go up a little earlier. It's not the done thing to be sure, but I think I should like to get myself settled before the opening of parliament."

And I'd had quite enough of country life for the time being. In London, there would be friends and entertainment. Perhaps even the opportunity to see Miss Darkin once again, though that would probably not be until the Season began.

"Are you sure that is a wise decision"?" Father asked.

Ah, there it was, once again. That questioning of my decisions. The conversation hadn't felt complete without it. I fought down the disappointment to say firmly, "Yes. I'm sure."

He shook his head. "Well, I cannot stop you. I hope, though, you will visit your mother before you go."

I nodded in response, grateful for the lack of further argument. Father had given his opinion, but ultimately the decision was mine to make.

And hopefully, London would not bring me any more trouble!