A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

" I 'm getting a bit hungry," their grandfather said.

"Me, too. I'm spoiled on our midday meal."

"Well, one would think Esther and Judith would be a little early or at least on time for tea, knowing they are being served with the Duke and the Baron, but it seems it is more important to be fashionable," grumbled Anne.

The Drowtons and the Duke had breakfast midmorning and skipped lunch, expecting to have tea with sandwiches and cookies midafternoon.

"Being fashionable is for social gatherings. Promptness is politeness," said the Duke.

"Please do not be harsh with them when they arrive," Anne urged. "And no snide teasing, Grandfather."

"Oh, I had some excellent barbs, and those two aren't terribly sensitive," the older gentleman complained. "But very well. It would be just as well to remain on task the duration of their visit. Brevity will be the word of the day."

"I will not say anything of it either. I will also help make decisions quickly," agreed the Duke. "I am sorry we did not get in a walk today, but perhaps we could take a stroll after dinner if it is not too dark and your grandfather permits."

"I do not think it shall be so dark," replied Jeremy before Anne could speak. "Or you could simply sit in the garden 'til dusk."

"Grandfather…" gasped Anne, surprised he was so encouraging.

"Let us not argue when we have his permission," urged the Duke.

Anne was about to speak when Peggy entered the room and announced, "Mrs. Esther Hughes and Miss Judith Jones have arrived. I have seated them in the drawing room."

The small group expressed varying degrees of relief before joining the ladies. For the service, Anne had prepared a full tea caddy and trays with sandwiches, crumpets, and scones.

"Mm, this is delicious Anne," Esther said, taking a bite of a sandwich. "The cream spread you made is much like my own. You must join us for tea sometime as well, Your Grace," she suggested.

"I shall see if I have the time," he replied.

The conversation moved quickly through minor details that the sisters made seem of the utmost importance. To speed things along, the Baron and Anne did their best to be agreeable to whatever the ladies suggested that did not interfere with the Drowton and the Duke's previous conversation. Likewise, the Duke did his best to be amenable to the requests and anecdotes.

"Will we conduct the banquet here or at the assembly room?" Judith asked thoughtfully as the tea neared its end.

"We were hoping to entertain here," Anne said. "We could easily accommodate twenty to twenty-five people for the evening."

"We have invited at least five times as many," Esther replied with shock. "I still had more to speak with." "Trim your selection," the Baron stated "This is a banquet in the Duke's honor with only the best food and people of Reedley. We can throw a larger affair when there is proper cause."

"I thought my sister had overextended invitations," Judith observed with a teasing laugh and look at Esther. "I believe she wanted so many people to see that she is counted among the friends of His Grace and knows him personally."

"No," said Esther, though she looked guilty. "I merely wanted to ensure each worthy family was aware they had the option to attend the gathering.

"Yes, every store owner and every person she saw between shops," Judith noted at her sister's expense.

Saving face, Esther said, "I am not to be faulted for sharing the most exciting news that has come to Reedley since anytime I can remember."

"Of course not," soothed Anne. "People want to know such things."

"Exactly," said Esther contentedly. "Even if they cannot attend, some live vicariously through others, waiting to know how the night went."

"I only tease you, sister," assured Judith with a smile. "There will be many who will be disappointed though to not be invited or to have their invitation rescinded."

The Baron looked thoughtful.

"I can easily request the assembly room for us if that is what you prefer, Grandon. It would also mean more work and cooking for you — Anne, ladies, can you manage that?" he asked, looking around the room.

"We are more than happy to cook as much as needed and have our maid help as well," Esther said.

Judith nodded in agreement. Charles continued to sip his tea and have a sandwich since he wasn't required for much either way. Anne and the Duke looked at each other, seeming to have an unspoken conversation with only their eyes.

"There is a larger kitchen there that makes serving so many possible. I could ask for one of the upper rooms to dress before the evening began," Anne suggested.

"I would hate to disappoint the people of Reedley," said the Duke, "if they will be as interested as you claim."

Jeremy looked around the room. His granddaughter and Grandon seemed tolerant of the idea. Esther and Judith looked at him expectantly as though they may not be able to stay composed in their seats until he said yes or no.

"That settles it, then," decided Jeremy. "If you all are willing and agree, I concede. We will hold a larger banquet."

The two older ladies both smiled and clapped briefly.

He continued when they finished. "I will secure the assembly. But, perhaps let's cap the guests at one hundred-fifty."

"Certainly," said Esther, pleased that she had her way overall.

The rest of tea concluded without further planning though Judith and Esther could speak of nothing but their excitement and who to keep or remove from their guest list or who to invite that they had not yet spoken to. When they left, the Drowtons and the Duke were only too pleased when the door closed behind them.

"I suppose none of us really felt in a position to tell them no," said Jeremy.

"They are an interesting pair, but they did not make any requests that were beyond good manners to accommodate," observed the Duke.

"It is only one evening," pointed out Anne. "Although, I will be very busy in the days leading up to it. I must view the assembly and decorate with greenery, flowers, and pressed tablecloths. To make the cooking easier, I could prepare any bread and cakes the day before then prepare the rest the day of.

"Sounds like a lot, sister," Charles said with a carefree laugh.

"You shall be helping me with everything that isn't cooking," Anne suggested.

His smile faded, and he said, "I knew I wouldn't get off easy."

"You will survive," stated Jeremy. "Both of you will. I have no doubt that if I speak to some of the shop owners who have been invited, they will be all too eager to have a hand in things, so they too can say they were part of planning the Duke's party."

"You believe so, Grandfather?" Anne asked.

"I am positive," replied the Baron. "It is how it is done when it is someone so important. If it were a wedding, their contributions would be part of their gift. Some may even send a letter to the house expressing as much or tell you when you come to purchase what you need."

Anne relaxed some.

"That is somewhat a relief," she said.

"Yes, I would hate for you to be too tired from preparing to have a dance and game of cards," the Duke noted, smiling his first real smile all afternoon.

Anne smiled at him and said, "For now, I need to join Peggy in the kitchen. We must prepare the meal for tonight."

"I suppose you find the energy out of necessity," considered the Baron. "While good intentioned, those ladies are exhausting. I would have no qualm if you made something simple so that we may all call it a night."

Jeremy tugged at his grandson, and Charles said, "I agree. At this point, I could top off a little and be ready for bed soon."

"Some meats and cheeses with a few vegetables would do. A bit of port or brandy would be good, or we could have wine with dinner," the Baron suggested.

"Red wine with thinly cut beef roasted with asparagus, young potatoes, all seasoned with rosemary and fennel, and a few dinner rolls with sweet butter and sliced fruit. How does that sound?"

"Perfect," said Jeremy.

"Delicious," uttered the Duke.

"Yes," Charles said, leading the way out of the room. "Let's start the wine now, please."

"Agreed," all the men said unanimously.

Anne laughed at them.

"They were not so terrible," she teased. "Really, you all are like children craving candies for good behavior with your elders.

"I'll take a confectionary treat with my wine," remarked Charles, sparking laughter from everyone once more.

When the meal was served, there was some light conversation, but everyone steered clear of the topics of the tea that afternoon or the banquet to be held.

Then, they all retired to the parlor. The Duke drank a little brandy, the Baron smoked his pipe, Anne worked on a cross- stitch she had been sewing, and Charles sat at the card table. He shuffled the cards and flipped them aimlessly.

"It is nice to enjoy a bit of quiet. I think my nerves are settled, and I can get some rest now," Jeremy said.

"You, who have hoped and dreamed for Reedley Manor and the Reedley name to see its former glory of banquets, parties, and gatherings, want peace and quiet?" asked Anne.

"Yes," said Jeremy. "One increases the value of the other. Having both gives a man balance."

"Well said," agreed the Duke. "It is something I feel I learned later than I should."

"A valuable lesson at any age," said Anne.

"Well, if talk is moving to lessons, I shall call it a night. My mental energy is depleted for this day, but I shall be ready for my usual tutelage from you tomorrow, Grandon," observed Charles, putting the cards away and standing.

"Rest well," replied the Duke.

"I shall call it a night, too," said Jeremy, following his grandson.

Anne was about to stand and leave the room, but the Duke caught her eye. He gestured with his head, and she believed he wanted her to remain.

When her brother and grandfather left the room, she asked, "Did you want to speak with me, Your Grace."

"I hoped that you might sit with me longer, but now, I want to express a mild irritation," he said.

"With me?" asked Anne. "What have I done?"

"It is not what you have done but what you do not do," the Duke grumbled, rising and walking the room with visible irritation.

"I have not meant to offend you," said Anne. "Please, tell me what I have done so that I might correct it."

"As I said, it is what you choose not to do. You still address me so formally. Everything you say is 'Your Grace'," he explained, speaking as much with his hands as his words.

"This is unlike you. You seem to care strongly about this," Anne said.

"I do. Especially now, when I feel we have grown so much closer," Noah replied.

"You do?" asked Anne surprised by his comment.

Then, she felt a frustration of her own rising within her. She stood too, to face him directly.

"How can we grow closer, knowing all the while you are leaving? What can we be when everything about our situation is circumstance?" she asked.

Her voice wavered more than she intended.

Steel yourself so you do not become a weepy mess, Anne told herself.

"You say circumstance, but others might call it fate," the Duke replied.

"Would you call it fate?" Anne asked.

The Duke was silent but continued to look her in the eye.

"I would call it scary," Anne admitted. "I am a lower stationed girl in the country, removed from your life, and I know you will soon be able to go about your life unscathed in London when you inevitably leave."

The Duke was silent and clenched his teeth. Anne saw his jaw tense. Then, her eyes settled on his lips. The Duke's eyes had lowered from her eyes to her lips.

"Call me by my name," he stated.

"Your Grace," she said with a shrug as a tear escaped her.

"No, call me by my Christian name," he urged more slowly in a low tone.

Anne swallowed and took a deep breath.

"Noah," she said softly.

As soon as his name escaped her lips, Noah placed one hand at her chin and the other lightly at her waist. Then, he pressed his lips to hers.