A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

" Y our Grace," Anne said gently, knocking on the bedroom door where she and her brother placed the Duke the night before. "Your Grace, are you awake? Are you decent?"

"I am," replied the Duke.

He had slept very little, and assuming there would be no one to help him dress in the morning, he had done little more than remove his remaining boot and shirt for bed. Once the smallest sliver of sunlight came through his window, the Duke had put his shirt back on though he could not suffer the pain of trying to put on his boots.

"Charles has just returned with Dr. Edwards. Would you rather I assist you in returning to the parlor, or shall I send him up here to look over your leg?" Anne asked through the door.

"I believe I am doing much better today, but you may help me down the stairs if that suits you," the Duke replied, opening the door.

Anne stepped back, a little startled, as the door swung open and the gentleman loomed over her.

He's so tall, she thought, looking up to him before looking down and away just as quickly. He's also rather pale, even in the morning light. Last night , I thought it was because of his distressed state, but he looks like traveling has taken a toll on him.

She cleared her throat and said, "For as long as you are in my home, I am at your service, Your Grace."

With a nod, the Duke rested an arm over Anne's shoulders. Then, at a modest pace, they made their way down the hall, down the stairs, and to the parlor. The ottoman was set in front of the sofa the way he had asked it to be before, but this time, Dr. Edwards stood nearby.

As they entered the room, Anne introduced the two men.

"His Grace, Noah Campbell, Duke of Grandon. Your Grace, this is Dr. Philias Edwards, the best physician in Reedley," she declared. "Dr. Edwards, our guest injured his left leg. I cleaned and bandaged his wounds to the best of my ability, but I think you should inspect him further."

"Thank you, but I can speak for myself to tell the doctor what I need," the Duke said, taking a seat on the couch and propping his leg on the ottoman.

Charles stood in the room near the card table but deemed it best to be silent unless spoken to.

"Very well," Anne replied. "Please, speak."

She removed herself to the card table as well but sat down and did her best to look anywhere but the doctor and the Duke. Charles, following his sister's example, sat down as well.

He whispered, "Fancy a game of Spillikins or Commerce?"

"No, thank you," Anne replied a little less quietly.

Charles frowned.

He pulled out the deck of cards and fumbled with them, mixing them to entertain or distract himself. He wasn't entirely sure which.

Across the room, Dr. Edwards rolled up the Duke's pantleg. The Duke's leg was less sensitive to touch now, having been bandaged.

"You did a very good job, Miss Drowton," Dr. Edwards acknowledged.

Despite her irritation, Anne replied, "Thank you, sir."

The doctor nodded and moved the Duke's leg about some, moving it from side to side, pressing in places, bending and twisting the foot in different directions. Then, he unwrapped the dressings that Anne made and inspected further.

As the Duke stifled grunts and flinches, the doctor made "hmm" sounds.

Then, he declared, "Well, most of the deep skin wounds will heal well enough on their own. Miss Drowton was correct that I would need to stitch this one. You also appear to have sprained your ankle, so I would recommend that you stay here and rest for a period until it mends, assuming the Drowtons do not mind hosting you longer."

The doctor looked at Anne and Charles. Charles opened his mouth but closed it again, deferring to his older sister.

Though they shared a look wanting to decline, Anne said, "Of course. It is only proper that we should care for anyone injured who seeks care in our home. It can never be said that Reedley Manor turned away a nobleman, or any other man, in need."

"How very kind," the Duke said though his tone did not match the sentiment.

It will not do, he thought. I have further business in Scotland and cannot be stuck here. Even if I were on holiday when all this happened, I dread being stuck in this house with these people and no staff to accommodate my needs.

"You're sure I cannot continue my travels, Dr. Edwards?" the Duke asked. "I am making my way to Scotland. There is a matter of business I must attend to."

"I'm sure, but you're a stout young man, very healthy overall. You're a bit malnourished, but with a few good meals and rest, you should recover swiftly and be able to resume your duties," replied Dr. Edwards, preparing his materials to stitch the Duke's last wound and rewrap his leg and sprained ankle.

The Duke turned away when the doctor referred to him as malnourished, but he said, "Fine, I shall reside here and rest since you deem it necessary, but I shall not stay long. Once I am getting about unassisted, and these cuts show signs of healing, I must be on my way."

"Of course," the doctor agreed.

"Indeed," agreed Anne. "We understand you have important matters to attend to, and we will do all that we can to assist your speedy recovery."

Whatever gets you on your way quickly, Anne thought. I don't believe I can tolerate being around this "gentleman" much longer.

"Then, I suppose I will finish my duties here and be on my way. I would encourage you to stay off the foot for the next several days as much as possible but then begin taking brief walks to strengthen the ligaments. Also, Miss Drowton, you will need to redress his wounds periodically. Once a day should be sufficient. Send for me if any discoloration or foul smells develop, and we will find a salve to treat it," stated Dr. Edwards.

"Yes, sir," she replied. "Can I prepare anything for your departure?"

"That's very thoughtful of you. Since you have mentioned it, when I was here last year during the rainy season when Baron Reedley had that dreadful cough, your maid was putting away a variety of jams and preserves and gave me some jars. I don't suppose you might have more jars lying about still? The wife and I enjoyed them so," the doctor asked as he stitched the Duke's leg.

"Sir, do you think you might focus on the task at hand? Really, Miss Drowton, you could make your offerings as you see him off," interjected the Duke.

"My apologies, Your Grace. I only thought it would be convenient if I prepared what he wanted and during the time he stitched and bandaged you," Anne said rising to leave the room. "Dr. Edwards, I have fresh preserves I prepared recently. I will excuse myself now and use my best judgment in putting together a basket for when you leave."

"Thank you, Miss Drowton," the physician said, curbing his desire to inquire about the selection of jams and possibly breads the young lady had available.

Instead, he worked a little faster seeing to the Duke's needs so that he could excuse himself from his company as well.

Charles seemed to wish he had a reason to excuse himself as well, but unable to think of any, he attempted shuffling his cards more quickly and ended up scattering them on the table.

"Woops," he said with a nervous laugh. "I'll clean that up. Then, maybe I'll get the carriage ready to drive Dr. Edwards back."

"Thank you," Dr. Edwards said.

After a few minutes, Dr. Edwards had the Duke sewn and bandaged.

"All right, Your Grace. Good as new, or you will be after several days. Send for me if you need anything further," he said.

"Yes, thank you for your promptness and care, Doctor," the Duke replied.

"Of course, it is no trouble," said Dr. Edwards.

Then, a woman the Duke had not seen before entered the room. From her dress, he realized she was a maid.

There is some staff here. I wonder if they are dismissed after dinner service. Rather than rooming and boarding in the manor, perhaps they return to their homes in the evenings, the Duke wondered.

"Pardon me, Your Grace, Dr. Edwards," the young woman said pausing to make a small dip of a curtsey. "Miss Drowton requested that I bring this basket to the doctor before he leaves."

She handed the basket to the physician.

"She also said to let the gentleman know that breakfast will be served in the dining room. She said I should wait in case you need assistance walking." The young woman looked down nervously when she addressed the Duke.

"Please tell your mistress that I have no appetite. I will continue to rest my leg here and skip breakfast," he replied.

The girl nodded and rushed out of the room.

"You are missing out," said Dr. Edwards, looking through the basket he had been given. "The food at Reedley Manor is quite memorable. From the sampling she has provided with my jams, your breakfast would have been a treat. There are some very good meats, cheeses, and muffins here. I should find Miss Drowton to express my gratitude before meeting her brother for the ride back."

The doctor left the room, and the Duke muttered his mixed feelings.

"If you've had one country breakfast you've had them all," he grumbled. "How different can one person's meat and muffins be from the next. Ham is ham. Sausage is sausage. Surely plum cake here is no different than London."

He sniffed the air, and his lip twitched. He could smell something that appealed to him whether it was the doctor's basket or other food from the kitchen.

"I might suffer a cup of coffee or tea, but after stitches, I don't know what I would be able to keep it down. I already feel a little a little out of sorts having sat through the pain of this morning without a drop of anything," he said, touching his leg.

It actually doesn't feel that bad now. Much better after Anne wrapped it last night and the only tenderness now is the stitching. The doctor wrapped my ankle well enough that I could probably hobble to my room without assistance, the Duke thought. I'll be out of here soon enough.

But he did not go to his room. The Duke rested on the couch and fell asleep. He was roused by a pleasant enough looking older gentleman with gray hair and a gray moustache offering him tobacco.

"I have a small collection of pipes if you would like to join me. I like a pipe and coffee after breakfast and dinner. I have too much to do in the afternoons to enjoy a pipe after lunch," said the man.

"No, thank you," said the Duke, surmising that this fellow must be the Baron.

"Suit yourself," the man replied, placing the end of his pipe between his teeth and lighting it. "So, you are the Duke of Grandon now? Noah Campbell, I believe Charles and Anne said at breakfast."

"Yes, and you are the Baron of Reedley?" the Duke asked.

"Jeremy Drowton, at your service, Your Grace," the older man replied, bowing his head slightly. "Though, these days, if you need anything, really you should ask Anne and Charles. They run things around here, due to my age and certain health problems I've acquired. For household tasks, you can call on our maid, Peggy, Peggy McRiley. She's a nice girl, helpful."

"I doubt there is anything I will need from them," the Duke replied, unsure where the conversation was meant to lead.

The Baron was visibly stung by the Duke's response, but he only said, "Well, nonetheless, they are available."

Then, the Baron gestured toward the Duke's leg and said, "Looks like you'll be visiting with us for a while. Pity the circumstances, but we welcome the company."

He laughed at his own comment.

"Pity of both," the Duke said.

Once more, the Baron refused to be any less gracious. He continued the conversation, hoping to navigate to somewhere the two men could connect in discourse. "It has been some time since anyone greater than an earl has graced us with their presence. My daughter is the Viscountess of Weston. She hardly leaves London," the Baron said, thinking maybe the Duke would mention having crossed paths with his daughter.

Instead, the Duke of Grandon only sighed loudly and shifted in his seat, turning his body more away from the Baron.

"There was a time when all of nobility escaped to the countryside for hunting, fresh air, and revelry," the Baron observed. "You look as though you can use a bit of all three."

He laughed at his own humor again, but the Duke was growing less interested in the conversation and, while he knew the older gentleman meant no harm or ill will, less enthused about sharing the Baron's company.

"Indeed, I might, but at the moment, I think what I could use most is a bit more rest, peace, and quiet. I shall return to my room," he said, pushing himself up from the sofa. "Besides, even in the country, there should be certain accommodations like staff and spaces to retreat for solitude."

It did not hurt so much to stand now, but he still winced a little. He made it out of the room with little trouble, but the stairs were harder. He found himself pausing and panting halfway up.

When the maid was passing and paused to ask, "Do you need assistance, Your Grace?" he found it hard not to accept.

"No," he replied in a near bark.

"Sorry, Your Grace," the maid said, stepping back.

"Please, tell your mistress I do not wish to be disturbed until I return downstairs, not even for lunch or tea. I just wish to be left alone."

"Very well, Your Grace," the maid replied meekly.

"I outrank your mistress and everyone else in this house, so obey my instruction. I should not like to see you again to offer lunch or tea; am I clear?" he asked, looking at the young woman sternly. "If she or the Baron himself sends you, you can repeat my words to them. I do not wish to be disturbed."

When he continued his stride upstairs, the young woman returned to her mistress at once.

"Miss, the Duke, he says he does not wish to be disturbed any further today — not for lunch, tea, or anything — until he comes back down," she said nervously. "If I am commanded by anyone, even the Baron, to go to him for lunch or tea, I am to tell them he does not wish to be disturbed. Speaking plainly, he said he outranks everyone here."

The nerve of this man, Anne thought.

Then, she looked at Peggy, hesitantly awaiting some sort of response.

The poor thing. She is unaccustomed to such rudeness, Anne reminded herself. We all are.

"Peggy," Anne said gently, "do not allow the Duke of Grandon to upset you. Some have wealth, power, and title but not the manners that make someone a gentleman. It takes more than being nobility to instill some things. Keep your chin up. Perhaps take a small break with a cup of tea before we begin lunch. I shall check on His Grace to see if we have offended his sensibilities in some way so that the rest of the day might be better."

"Thank you, Miss," Peggy said with a small smile before hurrying to the kitchen.

Anne squared her shoulders and straightened her back before climbing the stairs and knocking on the Duke's bedroom door.

"I said I do not wish to be disturbed," he called.

"Neither do I, but in a different way, I suppose," Anne responded, opening the door.

"I did not permit you entry," the Duke said.

"Which is why I did not enter. I have only made it, so we can look each other in the eye. You declined breakfast, and I understand you do not wish to join us for lunch when it is served either?" she asked calmly.

"That is correct," the Duke said. "And as it seems you have but one maid for the whole staff, I can assume all who need to know that I do not wish to be disturbed have been informed. Though, perhaps I should reiterate that point."

He glared at Anne, and she felt a momentary sting then annoyance swept over her, and she glared back.

The Duke's expression changed, caught off guard.

"Very well, you have missed breakfast and will not be offered lunch when it is served. I do ask that you treat our staff, whether you encounter one or one hundred, with a bit more courtesy," Anne said firmly. "I understand you are likely not yourself, injured and surrounded by strangers in a strange place, but you could be civil. Nobility or not, a gentleman should always be a gentleman, Your Grace."

"Ha," the Duke huffed loudly. "Imagine, the granddaughter of the lowest ranking peerage, raised in the country away from societal practice, daring to correct me, Duke of Grandon. Do you really think you can speak on such matters?

"I believe I can speak on how guests should treat people in my home," Anne replied. "I can speak on basic human decency which is the foundation of the decorum nobility stands on.

"Your home falls under my domain. Your home hardly has a leg to stand on. Your rank and peerage dangle from a thread before it dies with you and your brother," the Duke declared, taking a step toward the young woman with each sentence until the only thing between them was the swing of the door. "As far as human decency and decorum goes, I assure you, that is only the bare minimum, and your household could use a lesson as well."

When there was nothing left to be said between them, Anne pardoned herself for the disturbance. Noah Campbell, the Duke of Grandon occupied himself in his bedroom for the rest of the day.

When the time came for dinner, Anne felt tempted not to bother offering.

He's only going to say no, she thought. Still, the proper thing to do is offer. The even more proper thing to do on his end is to be a gracious guest and accept the meal even if he doesn't enjoy it. Eat enough to get by then say, "I'm so full. I simply couldn't eat another bite."

"Should I let the gentleman know dinner is served, Miss?" Peggy asked.

"Yes, please," replied Anne. "At Reedley Manor, we have the good manners to always extend grace and serve our guests.

Peggy nodded and followed Anne's instructions. Anne followed and stood at the foot of the stairs, so she could listen and see if her words had any impact on Noah Campbell, Duke of Grandon.

"Please, thank your mistress, but I do not wish to attend diner," he said in strained politeness, but for Anne, this was not enough.

Something overcame her, and she would not be content by this feigned offering of etiquette coupled with yet another refusal. She found a tray in the kitchen, and her brother and grandfather looked on as she prepared a sampling of everything at the table. She carried the tray upstairs as Peggy made her way down.

"Should I take that, Miss Drowton?" the young maid asked.

"No, I shall serve His Grace myself," Anne said through clenched teeth.

The Duke had just settled himself on the bed to resume reading a book he had found in the room when his door opened again.

"Is everyone's staff in the countryside so impertinent," he nearly shouted before realizing it was Anne who entered.

"Is every member of nobility in London so callous?" she retorted flatly.

He looked at her incredulously, but Anne maintained her resolve and her composure.

"Your Grace, you have made it abundantly clear that everyone and everything here in Reedley Manor is beneath you," she began, setting the tray on the end table by the high back chair in the room.

When the Duke attempted to speak, she did not pause, and he relented.

"I do not know how you were raised or how they treat guests in London, but here, I would be remiss in my family's duty of hosting you, caring for you in your present condition, if I did not offer you every meal and encourage you to eat," she explained, feeling more confident and more enraged as she spoke. "You may think of us as low and only a step above the common folk that I assume you would not deign to even speak with. You would never have darkened our door had you not been injured, but you are here, and you need care. According to that, a large part of that care is nourishment."

"He said I needed rest," the Duke managed to say in his defense.

"He said you appeared malnourished and needed rest. Now, you have rested today, but tonight you will eat. This evening marks a full day since you arrived, and no food has crossed your lips. You may think we are beneath you and our food is paltry, but it will not be said that a guest in my home went hungry. You will eat the food I have prepared if I must sit at your side and force feed it to you," Anne said in one rush of breath that nearly left her panting.

"Are you quite finished?" the Duke asked when Anne stopped speaking.