A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

N oah woke early the next morning and the morning that followed and the next morning still. He woke eager for the day from breakfast to teaching Charles while Baron Reedley smoked his after-breakfast pipe and Anne read.

I'm becoming complacent, he told himself when the realization of his enthusiasm for his days at Reedley struck him. It is too easy to be content here in this country life.

When he rose to dress and freshen himself in the washbasin, he had another realization.

"My leg and ankle aren't nearly as sore this morning," he thought.

He paced the length of his room a few times, lifted his left foot and rotated his ankle, and managed a few small hops before he felt a tinge of pain.

Noah spoke to his reflection in the mirror over the basin.

"The doctor said to begin short walks when my ankle was rested," he told himself. "I overdid it the day Esther and Judith came, but I was blinded by anger and embarrassment."

He heard footsteps pass his door and traipse down the stairs quickly.

Charle, ready for his morning hot chocolate, Noah thought. I wish something motivated him that same way when I worked on his ledgers and financials with him.

Then, Noah chided himself for his growing knowledge of the young man. His concern. His attachment.

He thought of Baron Reedley, likely preparing his pipe, so it would be ready after breakfast.

He thought of Anne.

She's likely made a table full of things that will all taste exceptional. I imagine she and Peggy are setting the table, he thought, imagining Anne giving instructions though completing most of the tasks herself.

He wiggled his ankle again.

"I shall start taking short walks this afternoon," he declared to his reflection. "In the garden. I would rather not run into Esther, Judith, or any other local gossip."

Giving his reflection a nod of agreement, Noah finished dressing and made his way downstairs for the morning meal. All the while, he assessed how his leg and ankle felt with each step.

I could probably manage one or two laps around the garden, he thought. That is a reasonable start.

So, he joined the Drowtons for breakfast. To boost his strength, Noah drank coffee and ate eggs, toast, sausage, fruit, and greens that Anne dressed for the table.

He was pleased when Charles had a firmer grasp on the material.

Even Jeremy noticed, saying, "I think the boy could teach me a thing or two after studying under you, Noah."

"I'm finally seeing the bigger picture of things, Grandfather. That seems to make the smaller details fall into place. I know better what to look for and how to double check myself," Charles said proudly.

"Excellent," replied Jeremy. "Reedley Manor will surely see a turnaround."

Noah looked at Anne, and she only smiled at him briefly over her book before looking away.

When the men seemed to reach a stopping point in their work, she asked, "Shall I prepare us something to eat?"

"None for me today," replied Noah. "I think I am going to try going for a walk."

Anne's cheerful expression faded, and she said, "A walk?"

"Yes," Noah affirmed, hoping to sound positive. "My ankle is greatly improved, and much like the doctor instructed me to rest and eat, he also encouraged me to begin walking once I felt I was on the mend. This morning, I realized I am moving around much better with significantly less pain."

"Then, by all means, you should continue to the next step of your recovery," Anne agreed, though she did not appear happy about Noah's improvements. "Grandfather, Charles, if you are hungry, I will be setting the table."

"Thank you, dear," Jeremy replied, smiling at his grandfather though seemingly in deep thought over Noah's revelation as well.

"Enjoy your walk," Charles said. "I'll ask Anne or Peggy to leave some food in the kitchen for you in case you work up an appetite for when you return."

"Thank you, Charles," Noah replied.

Then, everyone dispersed.

As Anne prepared a midday meal of herring, oysters, wine, mushrooms, and soft cheeses, she felt a sense of disappointment.

"It is good that he is doing well and following Dr. Edwards' advice," she told herself. "He won't get better unless he puts in the effort."

Still, it will feel strange not having him at the table, she thought.

"That is silly," she said, laughing at herself. He hasn't been dining with us long enough for me to think that way. And he can be so arrogant and judgmental. He's a know-it-all. Conversation will be more amiable without him there correcting Charles or merely humoring Grandfather."

No, she thought, correcting herself.

"He's humored by Grandfather. They are becoming relaxed with each other and seem to enjoy their conversations at the table," she admitted. "And he corrects Charles no more than one should to help someone improve themself, and Charles responds well to his guidance."

Is he avoiding the meal to avoid additional time around me? she thought.

"If anything, I have been the most challenging toward him. We can discuss food and literature now, but I suppose that is not nearly as meaningful as instructing Charles or entertaining as sharing riddles, jokes, and stories with Grandfather," Anne told herself.

She brought the food to the table, and Peggy set the plates, utensils, and service for coffee and tea.

"No wine?" asked her grandfather.

"No," replied Anne. "If you like, I can grab a bottle of white, or we can have some with dinner."

"Save it for dinner," he replied. "Then, I might have a glass of brandy with my after-dinner pipe with His Grace."

Anne only said, "Yes, Grandfather."

During the meal, Charles and Jeremy spoke about all the things they had learned and hoped to change since working on the balances with Noah.

"I think we might even be able to take on one or two new members of staff at the end of the year," Charles suggested.

"That is good news," replied his grandfather. "Pity we cannot have them employed by the time of this banquet."

"I bet more help in the kitchen and to serve would be a great benefit then, wouldn't it, Anne?" Charles asked.

Anne was hardly listening, but hearing her name, she did her best to focus.

"Pardon?" she asked. "New staff?"

"I think we might be able to hire one or two people to help around Reedley Manor by the end of the year," Charles repeated. "But you could probably use help sooner to help cook and serve the banquet, right?"

"Oh, yes," she agreed. "I can likely manage all the cooking with Peggy's help, but another maid would be helpful. It would make clearing one course and serving the next go more smoothly if we are serving a rather large number of guests that evening.

"I'll talk to Noah and see if he thinks we can manage at least one more person in the immediate budget then discuss a plan for future hiring," Charles decided.

Anne smiled. "You sound so knowledgeable and businesslike," she observed. "My little brother, I suppose I should prepare myself to start referring to you as baron."

Charles looked thoughtful.

"I'm not Aunt Sarah," he replied with a shake of his head. "I don't ever want anyone who knows me intimately or is a close friend or family member to refer to me as anything other than Charles. Others will only have to address me with a formal title in a formal setting."

Anne and their grandfather both smiled at Charles.

"You've grown up to be such a good man," Jeremy said. "You remind me of your father."

Charles smiled proudly.

Anne was proud of her brother, too.

When the meal was over, their grandfather elected to drive the carriage into town to check in on a few of the shop owners.

"I'll drive you, Grandfather," Charles offered. "It would be good for me to get to know everyone as well as you do. If we have time, maybe we can visit with a few farmers, too."

Jeremy was pleased by his grandson's newfound enthusiasm and said, "We'll see what we can fit in, but you are more than welcome to join me. Would you like to join us, Anne? We can invite the Duke as well?"

"No, thank you. I have plenty to do here, but you two enjoy your afternoon," she replied.

"Very well," replied Jeremy.

Anne and Peggy cleared the table. As they finished, the Duke returned from his walk.

"Did you enjoy your walk?" Anne asked.

"Yes, though I think that is more than enough for today. I feel like I need a bit of a rest now," he replied.

"Of course," Anne agreed then she asked, "Why didn't you join Charles and Grandfather on their trip into town?"

The Duke hesitated then said, "Well, once we were there, I would have had to walk around or remain in the carriage for the duration. As I said, I have walked enough for today, but I would not enjoy sitting by as they went about. Furthermore, it invites a lot of conversation that I am not prepared for, so my presence would only slow their progress."

"Yes," Anne agreed.

She wanted to ask if he would rather rest in the parlor, but she knew that it was unseemly with both her brother and grandfather out of the house and only Peggy to monitor them.

Instead, she said, "Well, I hope your leg recovers from your exercise in time to join us for dinner, Your Grace."

"I think I should be fine by then, thank you," Noah replied before continuing through the house, up the stairs, and to his room.

None of that implies that he wished to be away from me, she thought. Then again, none of it did not imply that he wished to be away from me either.

"I need to push these thoughts from my mind," she decided. "I have too much to do to worry about something that is of no consequence."

So, Anne set about tasks to complete around the house. She and Peggy carried rugs to the back yard, so they could beat the dust and dirt from them. Then, they swept before placing the rugs back again.

"We should polish all the wood if we will be hosting a banquet soon," she told Peggy. "I'll prepare the beeswax with a few drops of turpentine. Please gather some old cloth we can use, Peggy."

"Yes, Miss," replied the maid.

When they each had their component settled, the two women polished all the wood in the home from every table to the banister.

"Now, let's inventory the kitchen and pantry," Anne suggested when they finished the polishing. "I need to begin thinking of a menu and quantities of things to order. Now that Charles is doing so well budgeting, I don't want to slip him any surprises. If I am prepared, he can prepare his budget."

"Yes, Miss," Peggy replied.

"Then, we should probably look over tablecloths and napkins to place in the larger dining area. We will need to devote another afternoon to ironing, polishing silverware, and looking over the China and glasses for a proper banquet setting," Anne considered.

"Miss, are we getting ahead of ourselves?" Peggy asked. "When is the banquet, and aren't Miss Esther and Miss Judith wanting to help with some of the planning?"

"Oh, yes," Anne agreed, feeling a little silly.

I've channeled all my frustration into overworking sweet Peggy, she thought. Bless her patience with me.

"You are right," Anne declared. "Let's be done with all of this for today. It is nearly time to prepare supper. Tomorrow, I will write a letter inviting Esther and Judith to tea and see if Grandfather and Charles wish to join us in planning the event for budgeting purposes."

Peggy smiled. "That sounds good, Miss."

Then, Anne remembered, I supposed I also need to sit down with Charles and Grandfather to send correspondence to Sarah Turner, Viscountess of Weston. I'm sure she expected a response from us by now.

"Is there something else, Miss?" Peggy asked.

"No," replied Anne. "Let's clean ourselves up and start dinner. Thank you for your help today and all you do."

"It is no trouble, Miss Drowton," the maid replied. "I enjoy working here."

Anne smiled then the two women made their way to the kitchen. Preparing the evening meal was still work, but it was much easier for Anne.

It didn't have to be something to distract her from her thoughts because it focused her attention naturally.

"I think I will make a special dinner for Charles today to celebrate the progress he has made," she decided.

"That sounds nice," said Peggy as she pulled out cookware and ingredients that were staples for evening meals.

"Yes, he had been working very hard under His Grace's instruction and has come a long way. He's becoming more confident in managing things, too. I hope he keeps this confidence, even when the Duke leaves," considered Anne thoughtfully.

"I believe His Grace has made a lasting impression on Mr. Charles," Peggy said. "You have nothing to worry about."

I didn't say I was worried, Anne thought.

"No, he will be fine," she said aloud. "He's nearly ready to assume the role of Baron."

Peggy only smiled and continued to prepare items for Anne's dinner menu.

Before her thoughts strayed too far, Anne began to dictate the menu and ingredients they would need for the meal she envisioned for the evening.

"Let's prepare roasted beef and lamb cutlets," she started. "Parsley, sorrel, and strong herbs for the meat. We can prepare carrots and cauliflower in a white wine reduction. Then, Plover's eggs in aspic jelly with ham. For dessert, we can offer cherry water or pineapple cream with tarts of apples, pears, raisins, and walnuts."

"Yes, Mr. Charles will be sure to enjoy all of that," the maid said reassuringly.

I need to remember all this when I try to butter him up to be the one to go to Aunt Sarah's, Anne thought.

"One thing at a time," she said softly.

Soon enough, she and Peggy were setting the table when they heard her brother and grandfather return.

"Anne, you wouldn't believe some of the characters I met today," Charles said excitedly.

"Met? It's all the same people who have lived in Reedley since we were children," Anne replied.

"Yes, but you know I didn't really talk to anyone much beyond the kids we played with, well, when we were kids. So, I know them and their families, but Grandfather helped me get to know so many more people today, and he introduced me to people as his grandson, Mr. Charles Drowton, future Baron of Reedley," Charles said, posing with pride.

"As well he should," the Duke declared, entering the room and the conversation.

"Ah, Your Grace," said Jeremy excitedly. "How was your walk this afternoon?"

"Very well, thank you," Noah replied. "But I can tell I am going to need to start slowly. I returned to the house not long after the two of you left and have spent the entire afternoon and early evening resting in my room."

"Really?" replied the Baron. "Pity."

Anne looked at her grandfather, unsure what he meant, but before she could ask, he had moved on.

"Well, something smells wonderful," he said, turning his attention to the table.

"Everything," said Charles even more excited than before. "Everything looks and smells wonderful. Oh, Anne, you've made all my favorites!"

"Wait until you see the second course and dessert," Anne replied.

Charles sat at the table eagerly.

"I wanted to do something to show you I am proud of how hard you are working, learning from His Grace. I thought a meal of all your favorites would be a nice encouragement," she explained. "He will only be with us for so long, so I'm proud of you for learning all you can while he is here."

"Well, he is recovering quickly, but Noah has committed himself to a banquet. We all have," pointed out the Baron. "So, we have him in our presence a little longer yet."