A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

" W e need to invite Esther and Judith to tea one afternoon, so we can begin proper preparations for the banquet in His Grace's honor," Anne said over breakfast the following morning.

The men had been zealously discussing the tracks Noah had seen on his walk with Anne and what sort of fish he might catch in the pond, but it all came to a halt when Anne mentioned the neighbors.

"I was hoping you ladies would just tell us a date and time," replied Jeremy. "Then, we would be shaved, coiffed, and lightly with drink to be pleasant conversation for the evening."

"That is well enough, but prior to your absence from the actual preparation, I thought it might be good for you all to join the ladies and myself for tea," Anne argued. "I need help politely limiting their contributions to the meal, and I am sure you do not want them to dictate seating or games and dancing after dinner."

"Perhaps I should insist my ankle is not well enough to dance," considered the Duke with a weak laugh.

Although, that would mean missing the opportunity to dance with Miss Drowton, he thought with disappointment as the suggestion left his lips.

"By now, half the town knows you are at least able to walk about the yards. Esther and Judith don't miss anything," replied Charles.

"And they will each likely want to dance with you," teased Jeremy.

Charles looked thoughtful then said, "Well, you might get lucky. Esther will likely dance with her husband, so maybe you will only have to dance a turn or two with Judith."

"I'm sure there will be other ladies eager to dance with His Grace, the Duke of Grandon as well," observed Anne. "But you could join the men in games after a dance or two. Surely, word has spread about your leg and ankle, so I don't imagine people expect you to carry on dancing all night. But playing cards or other amusements would be suitable and still allow people the opportunity to see and speak with you."

"Very well, but I prefer not to be seated immediately next to Esther or Judith," Noah said. "I would like to eat or not eat as I choose without their encouragements."

"As host, you will likely sit to my right," Anne decided, looking at the Duke.

"That's a good start," he said.

They each smiled at the thought.

"Esther and Judith will want to be near you, but it will make them feel important to sit in a lady's place of honor to my right," Jeremy suggested, thinking out loud. "Since they cannot both have the chair and we try to seat by gender, I shall place Esther nearest me, as she will be the most vocal about also having a hand in the affair. Then, her husband, Lawrence Hughes next. Judith can either sit beside them or on the chair on the opposite side of me."

"Excellent," replied the Duke.

"That would put Judith beside me," Charles said disappointedly.

His grandfather made a face to quiet his complaint.

"Will Judith's husband not be in attendance?" the Duke asked.

"There is no husband to attend as Judith Jones never married. She moved in with Esther and Lawrence when Mr. and Mrs. Jones passed," explained the Baron. "Sorry we didn't explain sooner, Grandon."

Before the Duke could respond, Charles spoke again. He was still thinking about his situation of sitting beside Judith for the banquet.

"It is only one night," he decided. "I can listen to the latest on gossip and apply anything useful to overseeing Reedley."

"There you go, Charles," the Baron replied with a pleased nod. "And those young legs of yours can keep some of the ladies busy dancing if the Duke is imposed upon."

"Yes, Grandfather," Charles said somewhat less enthusiastically. "Though you know, I am more for games, myself. Perhaps Anne will dance with him? You know as hostess, it would be odd if you two didn't take a round about the room at least once."

"I was going to ask if I might be the first name on your card," the Duke interjected, looking at Anne directly.

His green eyes met her brown eyes, and Anne believed she saw a glint of something.

"Of course, Your Grace," she replied. "And we could dance again later in the evening if your leg feels strong enough."

The Duke smiled.

"Arrange the tea, and we will join you. Host the banquet, and I will be gracious and sociable," he declared.

"Thank you," replied Anne. "I will have Peggy carry a letter to Esther and Judith this afternoon to have tea at the end of the week. Grandfather, Charles, please make yourselves available."

"Gladly," replied the Baron.

"Fine," said Charles, resuming dining.

"Grandon, are there any particular songs or games for festivities in fashion in London we might have missed recently?" asked the Baron.

"I don't think much has changed in music or dance in several years," replied the Duke. "Charades and Conundrums are still popular. You could set aside a room or space for a little gambling, but general card games are always entertaining."

"Are you a gambling man?" the Baron asked.

"No, I am not one to bet on such chance-able things. Even the most skilled players are at the mercy of the hand they are dealt," observed the Duke. "Why, were you hoping for a friendly wager?"

"No, I have never been one for gambling either," replied Jeremy.

"Grandfather does enjoy the games though. He used to play cards of all sorts with us when we were young. Even now, he will pass an hour or two on a rainy afternoon at the card table with us," said Charles.

"Both of you?" asked the Duke. "You play as well, Anne?"

"I picked up Casino and Whist at finishing school," Anne replied. "Grandfather taught me Hazard, Baccarat, and a few other games."

"Fascinating," noted that Duke with a smile. "I know ladies participate in such games more now, but I know very few who are willing to join the table. If you play, I say you are welcome at my table, and do your best to win. I have no patience for ninnies who watch from the side, giggling and breathing in your ear. Meet my eyes across the table, and lay a winning hand."

"I don't know that I will win, but I shall be a good sport. I play my best in all company and always cheer on the winner of the hand," Anne replied.

"Excellent," said the duke.

There was silence, and the Baron observed his granddaughter and the Duke interacting with one another.

"Very well," he said. "You two shall have the first dance. Each of you will take another round about the floor with whomever to be polite. Then, I shall beat you both in a game of Grandon's choosing."

"Sounds as though you have it all planned, Grandfather," Anne replied, blushing and looking at the breakfast crescent she had yet to touch.

"I don't, but I am working on it. You just see to the party… banquet… dinner," the older man said.

Anne wasn't entirely certain what the Baron meant, but she said, "Very well then. It sounds like the evening should run smoothly.

"Will you two be going for another walk this afternoon?" asked Jeremy, changing the conversation.

"Yes," answered Noah, looking at Anne for reassurance. When she smiled, he continued to say, "I hoped to view some of the larger flower gardens of the property. The arrangements about the manor are lovely. I hoped to see what else was growing."

"That sounds excellent," replied Jeremy. "Has she shown you our pond yet?"

"Yesterday," answered the Duke. "Reedley, we shall have to go fishing, but may I have your permission to use a small boat or canoe to take your granddaughter out on the water one afternoon?"

The Baron of Reedley nearly choked on a piece of meat. With a wrap of his fist, the older gentleman managed to clear his throat.

"Of course," he said with a cough. "I think that is a wonderful idea though it has been some time since anyone has taken one of our canoes on the water. It might be best that I borrow one, but I could have it here within a day."

"Splendid," said the Duke.

"Yes, splendid indeed," agreed the Baron softly. "Charles, we must eat quickly. I have a few things to see about in town today. Do you have business there as well?"

"Yes, but I was going to go after my lesson with Grandon if that suits you," Charles replied.

"Suits me fine, boy," his grandfather stated, still eating as quickly as he could.

"Grandfather, you will choke," said Anne.

"Nonsense," replied the Baron. "If I do, there are two strapping young men here to beat my back and chest until anything lodged is loosed."

"Grandfather, you worry me. Slow down," Anne pleaded.

"Very well," Jeremy replied, resting his fork on the side of his plate. "I suppose I have some time."

With a smile, he added, "Your brother and I might return a little late this afternoon, but I can get us sandwiches at the club. You two nuncheon without us."

"Oh, very well then," Anne said, looking at the Duke.

"If it will be just the two of us, perhaps just something small," the Duke suggested. "We could have sandwiches as well and picnic in the garden or return to the pond."

"That would be nice," agreed Anne.

"Peggy can check on the two of you now and again," added the Baron. "It is not as though you two are courting, but since you two are exploring more frequently, we wouldn't want intruding eyes to think more than they should."

This time, the Duke blushed a deep crimson. It rose through his face from chin to cheeks to forehead. The Duke coughed and shifted in his seat.

"Perhaps he is the one chewing too quickly," Jeremy said with a laugh. "Are you well, Grandon?"

"Yes, a bit of something went the wrong way I suppose," the Duke replied.

I had not considered that our strolls and time together might have the appearance of courtship, he thought. Although, I am walking much better, Anne and I should not be alone.

Anne had similar thoughts. Noah looked at her, and her skin flushed red with embarrassment but also excitement.

We are not courting, are we?" she wondered.

They looked at one another and quickly looked away. They ate, sipped tea, wiped their mouths, talked about the first things that came to their minds. Anything but look at one another and ask the question they each wondered.

What are we doing?

The question hung in the air between them as Jeremy and Charles talked for the remainder of breakfast. It plagued the Duke's mind and distracted him as he tried to discuss the finer points of valuing and appraising property to purchase or sell with Charles. Anne reread the same page of her book several times without comprehending a word.

When it was early afternoon and time for their walk and picnic, everything seemed different.

"I feel nervous," Anne admitted to Peggy in the kitchen.

"Why, Miss?" the maid asked, placing everything they had prepared in a small basket with a small bottle of wine and two glasses.

"Before, I was just keeping him company in case he had any difficulties. Now, there are all these other things in my mind. It feels more complicated," Anne explained.

"It should not. From the first walk you two took, I have been discretely monitoring you at your grandfather's request. The only difference is you are aware now," Peggy said.

"You have?" asked Anne.

"Only so if anyone showed up on the property no one could say you two were unattended," the maid said.

"Rightfully so," Anne replied. "I would hate for either of our reputations to be tarnished over something that is nothing. It is no different than if he were to be walking with Charles."

"Shame," the maid said disappointedly.

"Why is it a shame?" Anne asked.

"I apologize for speaking out of turn, Miss Drowton, but he is a nice man, now that we are past initial impressions of him," the maid said hesitantly.

"He is," agreed Anne.

"He gets along with your family well, and we don't have many visitors of rank to Reedley," the maid continued softly.

She set the basket down and sat at the kitchen table across from Anne.

"Now that it has come up, what do you think?" Peggy asked. "If I am not overstepping…"

"No, not at all. My mother is gone, and there are not many other women I could speak to about such matters," Anne said. "Everything you have said is true."

"So, a match would be practical if possible. What do you feel? What do you think he feels?" Peggy asked.

"I suppose he might be as caught off guard by the idea as I am. It is hard to think further than that. It is just an idea," Anne said as much to herself as to Peggy. "He does have to return to London or continue his business trip. I imagine there is not much to think about. Courting, falling in love — all that takes time."

"Sometimes it happens more quickly than you think," suggested Peggy, rising from the table. "He is probably waiting for you to begin your walk. I will check on you shortly."

"Yes," Anne agreed, taking the basket and slowly walking toward the back door to the garden.

The Duke was waiting, and Anne could see his expression was similarly thoughtful as her own. However, his countenance brightened at the sight of her.

When he smiles at me that way, it is hard not to think he feels something and wonder how strong these feelings are within me.

"Before we start, should we talk?" he asked.

Will he profess his feelings now? Or ask me of my feelings for him? Anne wondered. After this morning, he wants to talk. Oh, dear.

"If you like, Your Grace," Anne said, unsure what else to say.

"Good," replied the Duke. "Now, well, um. I've never felt so poorly able to articulate my thoughts. In truth, my thoughts have also never felt so scattered."

Except for the loudening thought at the forefront that the idea of courting you, now that it has been presented that seems where my heart might have been trying to lead me for some time, he considered.

"Likewise," agreed Anne.

Though discussing things was his idea, Noah felt nervous and unsure where to begin.

"You look lovely," he said.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Anne replied.

"You're welcome."

After an awkward silence, Anne said, "I believe you wanted to speak with me before our walk?"

"Oh, yes. I feel this morning presents need for some conversation between us," he observed.

"Yes," agreed Anne. "Grandfather has given new perspective on our afternoons together.

"Yes, and as an unmarried man and woman of marriageable age, a chaperone does seem pertinent," he stated.

"It seems we have always been under Peggy's observation, even before it was brought to our attention," Anne noted, sharing the information she had learned.

"Good. She seems a good choice in the absence of a female relative or friend when your grandfather is occupied," he said.

"Yes," Anne agreed.

"Neither of our reputations would fare well if there were talk," he continued.

His green eyes darted about, and Anne wondered if their conversation or her grandfather's comments had made the Duke feel stressed. Then, his focus settled on her again, and he seemed to calm once more. She felt warm. She was unsure if it was the afternoon sun shining upon her or because of the change in the Duke's gaze.

"And it is better we give them nothing to talk about," declared Anne. "There is nothing to talk about, is there, Your Grace?"

They stood and looked at one another for a few seconds. Anne felt as though her heart beat a hundred times during the short span. Noah stared at her intently, and part of her hoped he might show some small gesture that he did have growing intentions with her.

Isn't there? Noah asked himself.

As he debated asking Anne the same question, he gazed at her in a way she had not seen before.

"Your Grace…" she prodded, wondering what he was thinking, hoping he might express some inkling of sharing the feelings she had been managing in herself.

He answered, "Only how good of a nurse you have been."

He stepped closer and lifted a hand toward her face. He was nearly touching her cheek, and Anne could already feel the warmth of his fingertips. She tipped her head slightly, yearning for the moment she felt his touch, but then he lowered his hand and cleared his throat.

He offered Anne his arm instead.

"You do look so lovely," he repeated.

"Thank you," she said, accepting his arm and hiding her disappointment.

They walked in near silence to the pond and shared lunch on one of the benches.

I don't know why, but I feel such pain in my chest, Anne thought.

"Would you mind, if we return to the manor a little early? I believe I'm not feeling well," Anne said, wrapping her half-eaten sandwich and placing it back in the basket.

"Of course not," the Duke replied. "Is there anything I can do?"

"No, I don't believe so," Anne said. "But don't worry, I will be fine, Your Grace."

"I understand," he replied. "In truth, I don't think I feel as well today either.