Chapter 2
Ross nodded liking that she had come to see his estate.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here to greet you when you arrived. I was taking a bathe," he said.
Annabelle couldn't help but giggle and Ross looked at her.
"Something funny?" he asked.
"Oh I'm sorry it's just… just Jud told us you were bathing so we decided to see if we could spot you," Annabelle said.
"And you did. Did you get a good eyeful?" Ross asked.
He was smiling so he wasn't upset.
"I didn't see anything I shouldn't," Annabelle said.
"Really?" Ross asked, not believing her for one moment.
"You were in the water from the waist down. I couldn't have seen anything," Annabelle said.
Demelza was watching from just inside the kitchen door and she had seen how Ross had lit up when he had seen Annabelle. She could tell that Ross liked Annabelle and that she liked him.
"Well anyway your estate is looking good," Verity said.
"I have worked very hard to restore it to the state it is in now," Ross said.
Annabelle smiled. She liked the idea of a hardworking man.
"Demelza," Ross called out.
Demelza came into the sitting room.
"Yes sir?" she asked.
"Demelza this is Mrs Annabelle Higgins," Ross said.
"We have already been introduced sir," Demelza said.
"I introduced Annabelle to Demelza," Verity explained.
"Oh. Sorry I bothered you then," Ross said.
Demelza left as he had dismissed her. She wondered briefly where Mr Higgins was as Annabelle was obviously married but knew it wasn't her business so got on with cooking the evening meal for Ross.
"How are you settling into Trenwith?" Ross asked.
"Very well thank you Ross," Annabelle said.
"Perhaps you could show Annabelle around your estate," Verity suggested.
"I would like that very much," Annabelle said.
Ross smiled and offered her is arm.
"Are you coming Verity?" Annabelle asked.
"No I think I'll remain here and do some needlework," Verity said.
Annabelle nodded. She guessed that Verity wanted to leave her and Ross alone and the reason for that. The two headed outside and Ross tuned to Annabelle and began talking about the estate.
"Your home is lovely. Although it's not a mansion it is still a home and one any wife of yours should be happy to live in" Annabelle said.
Ross took Annabelle all over his estate showing her all there was to see. They talked about everything under the sun as Ross showed Annabelle around.
"What kind of house did you and Rodger live in?" Ross asked as they were heading back towards the house.
"Well Rodger inherited his parents place so it was a mansion," Annabelle said.
"So you would have been the mistress of his house," Ross said.
"Yes I was. I would love to be Mistress of Nampara should that happen one day," Annabelle said.
Ross smiled to hear that.
"I have really enjoyed your company today and getting to know you again. I know this isn't what you would be used to," Ross said.
"It is not but as I said before I would love to be Mistress of Nampara. I would be quite comfortable and I can see myself being very happy here," Annabelle said.
"I really can't believe that Rodger would have left you with nothing. Surely he made some kind of provision for you upon the event of his death," Ross said.
"As I have told you he lost everything through his gambling. So although he had actually left everything to me or to his heir should we have a child by the time he passed there was nothing for me to inherit," Annabelle said.
Ross nodded.
"Rodger made some bad decisions at the end of his life. I am glad my cousins are helping you out. Let's go and re-join Verity," Ross said.
As the two walked back in the direction of the homestead Ross kept sneaking looks at Annabelle. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that he wished to court her. As she was a widow he would not need to ask permission to court her. As her parents were dead there was no one to ask anyway. And etiquette would not need to be followed as rigidly as it would if he was courting an unmarried woman of the same class. He knew his cousins approved of their match as they had made that pretty clear when the two met.
"How would you feel about me courting you?" Ross finally asked just before the two re-entered the homestead.
"Oh yes please Ross," Annabelle said.
"If this works out and we marry I'll become the legal guardian of your babe," Ross said.
"The babe will have Higgins as its last name as Rodger is the babe's father," Annabelle said.
"Of course," Ross replied.
The two made their way inside and re-joined Verity.
"How was your walk?" she asked.
"Very enjoyable," Annabelle said.
She looked at Ross and smiled and he smiled back.
Annabelle and Verity had dinner with Ross before riding back to Trenwith. After they had gone Ross settled down in his chair to do some reading.
"I saw the way ye be looking at Mrs Higgins sir. Tis not proper if she be married," Demelza said.
"Mrs Higgins is a widow Demelza," Ross said.
"Oh. I'm sorry sir. I didn't know," Demelza said.
She was silent for a few moments.
"Are ye going to marry her sir?" Demelza asked.
"If all goes well yes I hope to," Ross said.
"She be very beautiful. Please don't send me away after you get married," Demelza said.
"Send you away? Why would I do that? Mrs Higgins will need a maid if she becomes Mrs Poldark," Ross said.
"And ye would want me to be her maid?" Demelza asked.
"Yes," Ross said.
Demelza nodded slowly. She had come to be very fond of Ross. The fact he was interested in Annabelle was no surprise to her. Annabelle was the same class as Ross so they would make an excellent match. She had in recent months become attracted to Ross but knew that she would never be a good match for him. He would be marrying beneath him if he was to marry her.
A few days later it was the afternoon of the ball. Ross had Jud saddle Darkie for him and then he rode over to Trenwith. When he got there he had a servant attend to Darkie and walked up to the door. He knocked and was met by another servant who showed him through to the sitting room. When he entered Annabelle smiled at him and his cousins greeted him.
"I hear things are progressing nicely between you and Annabelle boy," Charles said.
"Yes Uncle they are. She and Verity visited me at Nampara a few days ago and it was very nice to show her around and visit with her while I did that. I hope to show Annabelle Wheal Leisure soon and introduce her to my tenants," Ross said.
"I am glad to hear that things are progressing so nicely between you," Charles said.
"Once we've married I will be the legal guardian of Annabelle's babe," Ross said.
"You will be a good father," Francis said.
"I am sure you will be too cousin," Ross said.
Ross sat down next to Francis, his eyes flicking over to Annabelle. She looked pretty in a pale pink gown, her long golden hair flowing around her shoulders.
"You look very pretty tonight Annabelle," Ross said.
"Thank you Ross. You look most dashing," Annabelle said.
Ross smiled and nodded politely. Everyone engaged in small talk until dinner was served.
"We shall have to have a picnic together sometime Annabelle. Perhaps when I show you Wheal Leisure," Ross said as they began eating.
"I like the sound of that. I do so enjoy your company," Annabelle said.
She smiled at Ross, already looking forward to seeing his mine and spending time in his company. Ross and Francis began discussing their mines so Annabelle chatted with Elizabeth and Verity about the ball. Francis was taking Elizabeth and they would all go as a group. Once dinner was over it was time to go to the ball. A coach was waiting to take them to the Assembly Hall and they made their way into it. Annabelle sat between Verity and Elizabeth and Ross and Francis sat opposite them. It was a half an hour ride to the ball and the group chattered about this and that. Annabelle knew that Verity was hoping to meet someone and form an attachment. She was in her twenties and running out of chances for happiness. Perhaps this ball would see a change in her fortunes.
"What is on your mind?" Ross asked Annabelle.
"I was just thinking about your situation Verity. I really hope you find someone special tonight. You deserve to be happy," Annabelle said.
Verity nodded and smiled. It would be wonderful if she could find someone special.
Finally they reached the Assembly Hall and there Ross helped Annabelle out of the coach then offered her his arm as they began to walk inside. Annabelle took his arm and smiled at him. She knew heads would turn to see her as no one would be expecting her to be back. Nor would they expect her to be on Ross' arm. As they entered the hall everyone looked to see who it was who had arrived. As Annabelle had expected everyone stared in surprise. She gazed around the room and spotted a number of people that she knew and remembered. Ross led Annabelle over to some vacant seats and she sat down.
"I'm going to get a drink," Ross said.
He walked off heading in the direction of where the drinks were. As soon as he'd gone George Warleggan came up to Annabelle. She wasn't thrilled as George had always been interested in her before she was married but she had not been interested in him.
"I must say, what a delightful surprise to see you here Mrs Higgins," George said, bowing slightly.
"It is good to see you too George. Have you settled down yet?" Annabelle asked.
"No alas I have not. And where is that rogue of a husband of yours?" George asked.
"He has passed on I am afraid. Gambling lead to his death," Annabelle said.
"I am sorry to hear that," George said.
"Don't be sorry. I have come to terms with his loss and am moving on," Annabelle said.
"With Ross?" George asked, a look of distaste crossing his face.
"Yes with Ross. He and I have formed an attachment," Annabelle said.
"You would be wise to look elsewhere. Ross does not care for the class privilege into which we were born," George said.
"What do you mean by that?" Annabelle asked.
"He would rather spend time with his tenants than with people of his own class," George said.
"I see your dislike for Ross has not changed," Annabelle said.
"Nor has my attraction to you Mrs Higgins. It gladdens my heart that your husband has passed on. Perhaps I could come calling," George said.
"As I said before I have formed an attachment with Ross," Annabelle said.
"And does he know of your babe? I see you are with child, Rodger's I presume. I could provide handsomely for your child's future if you would only let me," George said.
Just then Ross returned and he overheard George's last statement.
"You honestly think Annabelle would care for the likes of you? You are mistaken if you are. We are courting and if you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from Annabelle," Ross said.
George glared at him and then walked away.
"I see George hasn't changed a bit. I had hoped he would have gotten the idea of us being a couple out of his head," Annabelle said.
George had pursued Annabelle before she'd married Rodger.
"To be honest I am glad we are courting. It makes me smile to see how cross George is about it," Ross said.
"I would much rather have you over George any day," Annabelle said.
Ross smiled and held out his hand to Annabelle.
"Shall we dance?" he asked.
Annabelle nodded and standing took his hand, allowing him to lead her onto the floor. The two danced the next two dances then as etiquette required, returned to the side-lines.
"If only I could have every dance with you I'd be a happy man," Ross said.
George then approached and asked Annabelle to dance which she accepted. Ross knew she had only accepted to be polite and went to find Verity.
Verity was talking with a young man dressed in a sea captain's uniform.
"Ah Ross there you are. Andrew Blamey this is Captain Ross Poldark," Verity said.
"A pleasure," Blamey said, extending his hand.
"Likewise," Ross said.
After chatting with Blamey for a while Ross felt that he was a decent man and suitable for Verity. When Blamey asked Verity to dance Ross returned to his own seat. He spotted Annabelle still dancing with George and scowled to see the look of enjoyment on George's face. He knew George had been sweet on Annabelle since before Annabelle married Rodger and he hoped George wouldn't cause trouble for them. Finally the dance was over and Annabelle excused herself from George and returned to Ross.
"I'm glad that's over. I'd rather be spending time with you," Annabelle said.
"And I with you," Ross said.
He had noticed a number of the ladies looking his way. Although they were all pretty he only had eyes for one lady there that night and that was Annabelle.
