I tried to save 2 chapters as one, but the system balked, so maybe it was over the word limit.

The relationship between Hannah and Margaret is accurate - and they were both originally set to inherit 1/5 of their grandfather's estate - which was considerable as he was a Tea Merchant - but he changed his mind just months before he died.

Chapter 9 - Hannah

I do think that perhaps Marie and Mary are right when they say I should have a man to look after my  interests at this next meeting that Horatio has set up for Friday. I was so excited when Blanche delivered my letter, that my hands were shaking as I opened it. I shall need to have someone look after Annie, too, as I won’t be taking her to an evening meeting with me. I shall ask one of Maria’s daughters, Florence might well be interested in earning an extra penny or two. I will wait until evening, and then call in at Ivy House, and see what they think about all of this, and perhaps get Fred to accompany me to the meeting.

So just after tea, having seen Fred arrive back at Ivy House through the window, I told Annie to come with me, and we set off down the steep path.

“Hello, Hannah and Annie, and how is life treating you?” asked Margaret Hammersley, who is my sister, although we are not at all close. She acts as housekeeper for our great uncle John Dawson and has done since she was a teenager. She never married, and she now tells me that John has officially adopted her and that she is his only heir. If I hadn’t inherited money from Benjamin, I would be quite jealous of her, but when it was me to get married, ten years ago, it was she who could hardly speak to me. We had all known Benjamin, as he farmed just down at Ernocroft - not much over a mile away, but she was much more his age than I was, yet it was me he picked. 

There were Dawsons in nearly all the properties around here at one time, but now old John, who was well past 85, is the only one with that name left. But our mother, who was the only daughter of David Dawson, John’s brother, was David’s sole heir. Originally he had intended leaving his worldly goods to us grandchildren in equal measure with his daughter, but then at the last minute changed his mind and left it all to her. And when she died, just before I got married, she left the house to John, with instructions that when he died, it should go to Margaret - the only one of us children who has nothing of our own. Samuel, who is the oldest has a fine farm in Charlesworth, and he has two children now. Our other sister, Annie, died young, and it is she I name my Annie after.

“Hello, Margaret. We are fine. I’m sorry to call at this time, but I wondered if I might have a word with Fred. I saw him come home not long ago.”

“I’ll go and knock on his door. Come in and sit here by the fire while you are waiting.”

Margaret went off and at the same time Great Uncle John came into the room. “What are you doing here?” he asked gruffly, but I wasn’t put off, as I know him as a man to never waste time with unnecessary pleasantries. But I could see Annie was frightened, as she moved closer to me, and put her hand in mine.

“I have come to see Fred,” I said.

“I hope you are not going to get involved with that Whittington person. He is not to be trusted. I can smell a rat about this whole business.”

“Well, I have not decided anything yet, but I am keeping an open mind, and intend to go to his next meeting on Friday. That is why I am here. I am hoping Fred might accompany me there, and help me with the more complex financial issues that no doubt they will be discussing. Ah, here he is now. Hello Fred. How are you?”

Uncle John grumpily stomped out of the room, leaving us on our own.

“Fine, Hannah,” he said shyly, with a blush, and I could see that he had recently combed his hair and made an effort to make himself more presentable. He’s a good looking man, Fred. Funny that he hasn’t got himself a wife yet. He’s tall with a strong build, with dark hair and eyes. He has lived here longer many years now, but I realise that I really know very little about him, other than that Blanche is his sister.

“Fred, I know that it is somewhat cheeky of me to ask you this, but I am going to Mr. Whittington’s next meeting about buying our property on Friday night. Several of my friends have suggested that I would be better with a man to help advice me about the technical aspects, and I wondered if you might be free that night, and be willing to go with me.”

“I don’t know much about mortgages and solicitors and things like that. I’ve never owned a property, nor do I intend to get involved in this scheme.”

“No, I realise that. You would be there as my adviser, rather than as an investor. Mainly I don’t want them to take advantage of me as a woman on my own. Some men are like that you know.”

“All right, Hannah, as long as you won’t expect too much of me. But as you say, they will perhaps take you more seriously if you have someone in support of you, as it is. What time is the meeting on Friday?”

“Eight sharp, but shall I meet you at the end of your lane at 20 minutes to?”

“No, I’ll come and call for you at your house. No need for you to be standing around waiting. I’ll call for you by 20 minutes to 8 on Friday.”

“Thank you so much Fred. I won’t be so nervous about it now.”

“You want to have in your mind the sort of amount of money that you could spend before you go, and then don’t let them talk you into going above it. I know that much about business. You should have your arguments planned ahead of time.”

“Yes, that is a good point. I will visit Mr. Frank Taylor, the Bank Agent in Marple Bridge on Friday morning, and discuss it with him too. Well, we must be going, and leave you to have your tea. Thank you again.”

“See you Friday night then. By the way, Annie. Have you found any treasure in your garden yet?”

“No, Fred. We dug and dug that first day, and didn’t find a thing, so we haven’t tried again. Did you find anything?”

“Can’t say that I tried. Can’t be bothered really. I don’t think he knows what he is talking about.”

“Anyway, we best be off. Bye Fred and thanks again.”