A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

" H as Grandfather spoken to you?" Anne asked Peggy the next morning as they prepared breakfast.

"Not today," the maid replied as she kneaded the dough Anne set before her.

"He was being quite cryptic last night, speaking of cooking pudding and boiling pots," Anne observed. "Then, he said he would ask you some questions today about the kitchen and cooking."

"That is odd," replied the maid, pausing. "I wonder what that could be about."

"Exactly," said Anne. "Do you think he and Charles met a woman in their outings? Someone Grandfather might be fond of?"

"What would that have to do with cooking?" Peggy asked.

"I thought maybe he would want to prepare something small to send to her, but I feel if that were the case, he would just ask me. Then, I thought, ‘If he doesn't want to tell me, he might seek Peggy's help in a similarly vague manner to how he was at dinner last night.'"

"That is possible," agreed Peggy, following Anne's logic.

"There is no sense asking Charles. I doubt he would have noticed anything between Grandfather and a woman in town," Anne observed.

"You don't think?" asked Peggy. "Your brother may be in his own thoughts most of the time, but occasionally, he slips in an unexpected observation that surprises me."

"That is true. I might see if I can question him privately. Perhaps an older, widowed shop owner has caught Grandfather's eye, or someone has a visiting grandmother or older aunt," Anne considered thoughtfully. "It would be nice if he had a companion besides Charles and me."

"Yes, he's such a dear old gentleman. I would like to see him happy, too," Peggy agreed.

Anne smiled as she continued her cooking.

"It would be nice if he found someone," she thought.

Then, she thought of her own predicament with the Duke.

What if we both found someone? she thought. Poor Charles. Although, if grandfather or I made a match, that could open the door for Charles to meet a young woman as well.

"I'm getting ahead of myself," she said aloud.

"With what," asked Peggy.

Rather than share her thoughts, Anne simply replied, "I missed a step in this brioche, so I'm not sure that it will rise correctly."

"Is it for this afternoon? You have time to make it again and let it rise."

"Yes, I might do that," Anne agreed absently.

The two ladies finished preparing the morning meal and brought it to the table without further incident or discussion of anyone's potential budding romance.

However, at the breakfast table, Anne felt she couldn't stop monitoring the behavior of the Duke or the Baron.

The Duke was very attentive to her, even missing or mishearing things others said to him. Each time Anne looked up, he seemed to be looking at her. She could almost feel his gaze like a warm light when he turned toward or away from her then she looked at her grandfather.

He seemed almost happier than normal in a giddy, drunken way. She looked at Charles. Eating, taking turns drinking hot chocolate and coffee, since he had been making more effort to break away from his morning chocolate routine.

"No noticeable difference there," Anne thought, a little relieved and disappointed at the same time. "One less thing to stir my curiosity. Though, I suppose at eighteen, there are still several years before he really need concern himself with a match."

"Are you well this morning?" the Duke asked, breaking Anne's thoughts.

"What?" Anne asked before processing what he had said. "Am I well?"

"Yes," the Duke said.

Does he mean since last night, or is it so obvious that I'm studying each of them? Anne wondered as she tried to figure out how to respond.

"I'm fine, Your Grace. Thank you for asking," replied Anne.

Her grandfather focused his attention on her now as well.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "Grandon is right. You are quiet this morning. You went to bed early last night. Should we have Dr. Edwards come see you or is the issue something of an unmentionable nature."

Anne felt her face grow warm with embarrassment.

"No, Grandfather," she declared. "I assure you I am fine. I just have a few things on my mind this morning. I received an early letter from Esther and Judith. They will join us for tea tomorrow to discuss the particulars of the banquet."

It was true but not the cause of her distraction.

"Very well then, we shall see them tomorrow. I imagine that is reason enough to be in one's thoughts," said Jeremy, content with her answer.

But the Duke still looked at her.

She smiled at him and did her best to act normally. She shifted in her chair a little and straightened her posture. Then, she buttered a piece of the quick bread that was served this morning.

"Do you and Charles still intend to request a bit of Peggy's time in the kitchen this morning?" she asked, changing the subject.

Grandfather's expression changed slightly now.

"Yes, but we will not need her long. If you need her assistance, we should not be more than a few minutes. One half hour at most," Jeremy said.

"No, I do not require her for anything," Anne replied.

"Would you like to take our walk earlier today?" blurted the Duke. "After breakfast?"

Anne considered for a moment that this might be their opportunity to discuss what nearly but did not happen the previous night.

"Yes, that will be fine," she agreed.

The Duke looked pleased, but he didn't say anything further. Anne noticed her grandfather looked content as well. She was most surprised when she saw her brother smile as well.

"Did they speak after I went to bed?" Anne wondered. "No, I heard Grandfather whistling as he went to bed not long after me."

Anne gave up trying to figure each of them out for the moment.

Presently, I need to think about what to say to the Duke about last night or what he might say to me, Anne thought to herself. Then, she wondered, What if he attempts to kiss me on our walk?

She couldn't help looking at the Duke once more. He was staring at her. Their eyes met then they both looked away.

After breakfast, Jeremy and Charles joined Peggy in the kitchen.

In the garden, Anne and the Duke started their walk. The Duke offered his arm, and Anne gently placed her hand atop it. Then, they walked in silence until one of them had to speak. Finally, they both spoke at the same time.

"Should we talk about what almost happened," Anne asked as the Duke asked, "Do you think we should discuss the moment we shared?"

They stopped walking and laughed softly at the coincidence.

Then, Anne asked, "So, it was a moment?"

The Duke said, "I thought it was. And something did almost happen?"

"I thought it might have," Anne agreed.

Noah smiled. Then, he took a step, so he and Anne began walking again.

"Well, I don't quite know what else to say about that," said the Duke.

Anne didn't speak at first then she decided to delicately voice her feelings on the matter.

"Perhaps there is nothing to discuss. The moment came naturally, but it was interrupted. That might be for the best, given the circumstances," she said.

"Yes," agreed the Duke.

"It would have been inappropriate," continued the Duke, looking ahead again.

"Yes," agreed Anne disappointedly as well. "You are leaving eventually anyway."

The Duke looked at Anne.

Maybe that is what troubles her. It would be hard to begin something meant to end. What would it be anyway? he thought. But we can still enjoy what we have now.

"When I am fully able to walk the property at a comfortable gait and feel no soreness after, yes, I will return to London. Until then, let's you and I enjoy our walks, each other's company, and I will continue enjoying your cooking. All of which will be sorely missed when I go, kiss or no kiss," he declared.

Anne was disappointed and knew she would miss the Duke as well. She thought of telling him but then thought better not to say anything.

"What is it? You look like there is something on your mind,"

"Well, Your Grace," Anne began, but then she heard her brother's voice loudly interrupt.

"Oh, we didn't expect to cross paths with you here," said Charles.

Then, he snapped his mouth shut as though that was not what he intended to say.

"Pardon me?" said the Duke.

Anne looked at her brother quizzically.

"I mean, we thought you would be in another part of the garden," Charles explained with an expression saying that wasn't what he meant to say either.

"What Charles means is that we were trying not to disturb you on our way to the pond," clarified the Baron. "We were about to clean up the area there a bit, so we can all enjoy it more as you suggested recently."

"Oh, I would have borrowed the scythe and done that for you," said the Duke. "I can join you now if the lady doesn't mind."

"No," Jeremy replied more quickly and loudly than he meant to. In a more neutral tone, he said, "I mean, you can join us if you wish, but you shouldn't engage in such strenuous activity with your injury."

"You two should just finish your walk," suggested Charles.

"You two have been behaving strangely," Anne observed.

"Nonsense," replied the Baron. "We've just been inspired since having a guest and knowing there will be more company soon with the banquet. You know such things have always been my joy."

Anne was doubtful but decided to take her grandfather at his word.

"Very well, then. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tidy the grounds before the banquet as well," she agreed. "We will continue our walk and see you back at the house."

"Good," their grandfather said.

The four parted ways in their sets of two. After some steps, Jeremy noticed his grandson was dragging his feet.

"What brought you down, Charles?" he asked.

"Didn't you hear? Now we must tidy the grounds before this banquet. I didn't realize putting these two together would cause such demanding physical labor."