A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

" L ady Diana should be downstairs soon. I will prepare the carriage, so we can leave as soon as she's ready," said Charles excitedly before rushing out of the house.

Anne looked at her grandfather, and he was sleeping. She turned her attention to the Duke, and he looked unhappy as ever.

"Noah, is there anything I can do for you? I promise not to be rude to the Lady or make any unnecessary remarks, but you seem terribly stressed by her arrival. Do you have such pressing business in London? Should you return home?"

"No, things there will be fine. I suppose I just know that how she arrived is how she is, and it has been nice having a break from that," he said.

"She seems to respond to your correction," Anne pointed out.

"Yes, but only in certain circumstances to save face," he said. "Either way, she is here now."

"Yes, I will miss our quiet time together before breakfast, and she probably won't approve of our walks," Anne admitted with disappointment.

Noah gently placed a finger under Anne's chin and turned her to look at him.

"I do not wish for things to be any different because she is here. She is never awake in time to notice if I join you in the kitchen. She might even prefer to rest after breakfast than be in our company. If she wants to join our walks, she can, but she will have no interest in our discussions of nature or literature," Noah said softly.

They both glanced at the Baron, but he still slept with his hand holding his pipe on his chest.

"You do not worry, and continue being the exemplary and lovely woman that you are," Noah suggested before kissing Anne gently, tenderly.

When they pulled apart, they gazed at one another and held hands until they heard footsteps coming down and the soft swish of skirts of fine fabric.

"Your Grace?" Diana called as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

Noah sighed, and Anne touched his cheek sweetly. He softened a little. They rose together. Noah went to his sister, and Anne gently woke her grandfather.

"Here I am," Noah said, standing in the doorway, addressing his sister.

"Grandfather, I believe we are ready to leave," Anne urged.

When he felt her take his pipe, the old man stirred and smiled.

"That was a very good nap. I'm refreshed and ready," he said. "Where is our new guest?"

"Waiting," replied Anne, nodding her head toward the door.

"Excellent, I look forward to chatting with her on the ride," Jeremy said.

Together Anne and Jeremy joined Noah and Diana.

Anne thought after a little rest, the Duke's sister might make some apology for her previous behavior and comments, but Noah was correct. It was simply Lady Diana's nature.

"Where is your driver? Where is your carriage? They should be here waiting for us in front of the house now. Did no one tell them you had plans to go out?" she asked.

As she finished speaking, Charles pulled around with the carriage. He leapt down quickly and lowered the passenger step. Then, he approached the group and offered his assistance to Diana.

"Lady Diana , your carriage awaits," Charles said with a smile.

"I almost feel we should take my carriage," she considered, looking at their older model versus the fancier vehicle she had arrived in.

She frowned but stepped forward. Without accepting Charles' help, Diana entered the carriage and was seated with her back to the driver's area. Anne entered second, and Diana raised an eyebrow and watched carefully as her brother helped the Baron's granddaughter into the cabin. Without a word, Anne seated herself opposite Diana in the farther forward-facing seat. Noah then assisted the older man and entered himself.

"Your Grace, aren't you going to sit by me?" Diana asked when the Baron sat beside her and her brother seated himself beside Anne.

Before Noah could respond, the Baron said, "I apologize, but I couldn't resist sitting next to such an enchanting guest."

Diana smiled at the compliment but still eyed her brother cautiously.

"Thank you, Baron," she replied. "I suppose seating in a carriage is not as strict as at a table."

"Oh, we will need to adjust the seating arrangement for the banquet," Anne noted aloud.

"Only a little," replied her grandfather. "Lady Diana shall sit to my right and Charles to my left. Grandon will still sit to your right. From there, everyone from Esther and Judith shall shift places by one."

"Yes, I know," Anne said. "I was just thinking about how excited Judith and Esther will be to meet Lady Diana . They were so excited to be introduced to the Duke."

Diana looked disappointed, considering she would be removed from her brother, but she seemed to perk at the idea of ladies of Reedley being impressed and interested in her.

"Well, I do not mind meeting new people in social settings. I'm sure I have plenty of stories and humor to share and entertain them over dinner, and I suppose I could share a dance or two with the men of Reedley," she observed, smiling and turning her attention to the window, hoping to size up the area and its people as they passed by.

Anne and Noah shared a look, knowing the realities of what Diana was more likely to experience that evening.

"Perhaps you will leave a place on your dance card for Charles and myself," the Baron suggested in good humor.

"Yes, of course," Diana replied. Then, she looked at Anne and Noah looking at one another and said, "Though I ask that Noah and I have the first dance together to introduce a few things that are popular in London that might not have made their way here yet."

Noah cleared his through and said, "Perhaps, I am limiting my dancing that evening, depending on how my ankle feels. Even this afternoon, I only intend to enjoy the city so far as my pain levels can tolerate."

"Of course, brother," Diana agreed.

Though her tone and words were understanding enough, Anne felt like Diana looked at her and Noah strangely. She looked from one to the other, and Anne felt Diana sort of glared at her before holding her gaze on her brother.

Anne said, "You mentioned wanting to help with the floral arrangements for the banquet. Do you prepare a lot of arrangements for your home or parties in London?"

"I suppose I cannot say that I do, but I can say that such colorful arrangements of wildflowers are not the fashion of London. At home or if I were to take tea with some of the ladies, the arrangements tend to be a bit neater and more cultivated," replied Lady Diana.

Noah leaned toward Anne and said, "The over manicured greens and whites of our garden that I mentioned to you found their way to every vase of every home."

He and Anne laughed a little and shared an understanding look between them. Anne relaxed a little, and Diana tensed.

"I believe my brother means to say we enjoy things that are a bit more pristine than what seems to be the countryside fashion. However, if it is popular here, I suppose it does not matter. No one of status will be at this banquet anyway I imagine," she replied.

In keeping with her word, Anne attempted to placate Diana's wishes.

"Still, I would appreciate your insight. Perhaps you can help myself and the ladies of Reedley raise the local standard, so we are not viewed poorly if another member of society from London should visit. Perhaps we could make a few nice arrangements in white and purple," she suggested. "We could walk the garden together, and you can give me your opinions."

"The flowers are from your garden?" Diana asked.

"Yes, the Drowtons have a lovely estate with remarkable trees, flowering plants, shrubs, and all manner of edibles," affirmed Noah.

"If the flowers throughout the house are from your garden, I suggest we visit a florist," said Diana.

"Very well," agreed Anne. "We can inquire while we are in town."

Noah continued, "I do not believe a florist could manage what is needed with so little time to prepare."

The Baron seemed pleased and said, "We welcome your ideas, but unfortunately, this close to the event, most of the arrangements have already been made. There are too many parts in motion to make large changes, but there are smaller tasks we must manage today."

Diana looked like she wanted to press to have her way, but she held her tongue.

She remained silent until the carriage stopped.

Before anyone could stand, the door opened with Charles waiting to assist Lady Diana from the carriage, to offer her his arm, and to offer to buy her sweets.

"His Grace has been so helpful to me while he has been here. Someday I will need to fill Grandfather's shoes, and I should never have been prepared to do so if your brother had not arrived at Reedley Manor. My sister took care of him, and he tutored me," the young man said excitedly.

"How fascinating," Diana replied though she did not seem interested at all.

However, Charles was too eager to be in her presence to notice. He was captivated by her noble air and the fragrance of her soaps and perfumes.

"You smell lovely," he complimented.

"Thank you," Diana replied, looking around.

Jeremy exited the carriage next. Then, Noah came out and offered his arm to assist Anne.

"There aren't many shops, but some of them look interesting. That's such a lovely dress in the window, Anne. You could wear something like that for the banquet if your family can afford it," Diana suggested. "Perhaps I shall have my brother purchase it for me. I looked through my things and don't know that I have anything suitable for a banquet, even here."

"What an eye you have, Lady Diana ," Anne said, not responding to the rest of the remark.

"Your Grace," Diana said in the kindest tone she had taken since arriving. She looked at her brother equally pleasantly and asked, "Might we walk over and look at the dresses in the window more closely?"

Noah joined his sister, but he did not share her now happy demeanor. While they looked at the dresses, the Drowtons discussed the order of stores they each intended to visit until they heard their party being beckoned by the Duke.

Diana approached them and looked red with fury as she reclaimed Charles' arm and demanded, "Buy me something sweet, preferably chocolate."

"I hope we haven't offended her, Grandon," Jeremy said.

"Not at all, but I have. But as her brother and guardian, since our parents passed from time to time I must so that she isn't any more spoiled than she already is by fault of position," Noah explained. Then, he looked to Anne and asked, "Would you excuse us that I might speak to your grandfather alone. Then, with his permission, I shall join you."

"Yes," Anne replied hesitantly. "Are you sure everything is all right?"

"It is as well as it can be in Diana's company," Noah assured with a forgiving smile as he looked toward the sweet shop his sister and Charles had entered. "She is upset because the dress in the window is spoken for. She asked that I go in and offer the seamstress more, and I refused. It is unfair to the woman who ordered it and would likely cost the seamstress a regular commission once Diana is gone."

"Very well, then. I shall see you two shortly," Anne said. "I had not mentioned it, but I did request a dress be made when we began planning the banquet and simply needed an opportunity to collect it. Your sister does have good taste. The dress she was viewing is the dress I ordered."

Jeremy and Noah both laughed heartily at the unexpected turn of events.

Once Anne was out of earshot, the two men walked together slowly.

Noah said, "Reedley, I have come to think of you as a friend and I am very fond of your family."

"We like you very much as well, Grandon," replied the older man happily as he greeted people on the street in passing.

Noah continued, "Excellent, but I hope that what I am about to say does not offend you."

"You have to work rather hard to offend me, Grandon," Jeremy replied, and both men chuckled.

"Well," Noah said with pause, "I have been thinking about all your family has done for me, meals and room and board. Now, you are caring for my sister and footing a bill for a party that is thrice the size you envisioned for the sake of busybody neighbors."

"We have only done what we are able," replied the older man. "As one should."

Noah smiled. He really did like the Baron because he was genuinely good and happy, and he seemed to live by this way of thinking.

"Well, I would like to buy Anne some ribbons or a book and gift Charles a nice pen for his ledgers," Noah said.

If I gift Anne something truly thoughtful, then we are courting to some degree, Noah told himself. Presents for the family would be more sensible until things are clearer.

"That sounds very good. They will be pleased no matter what you give them," Jeremy said happily.

I shall also get him some tobacco and a pipe, Noah thought. Perhaps Anne can help me shop for her brother and grandfather while we are out, and I can find something special for her with one of them.

Then, the Baron said, "I believe Anne mentioned replacing her gloves or wanting a bracelet for the evening. We are only a few shops from the jeweler if you want to start there while I join Charles and Lady Diana . I should like to satisfy my own sweet tooth."

"Thank you, Reedley," Noah replied.

Jeremy smiled and said, "It's my pleasure, Grandon."

As the older man walked away, Noah entered the jeweler and saw the selection was limited. However, there were several pieces that were very attractive. When the attendant offered to help him, Noah had already set his sights on a cut steel bracelet with a floral design and a small jewel at the center of each flower.

"May I see this one please?" he asked.

"Of course," the clerk replied. "I should tell you that the quantity and variety of stones does give that bracelet a slightly higher price. That, and it is acrostic, so each stone was carefully selected to send the perfect message to your intended."

"Is that so? I've seen a few of these," Noah said.

Once the clerk handed him the bracelet, Noah looked at it closely, studying each jewel until he was certain of what it was.

"This is even more perfect than I thought," he said to himself softly. "I'll take it. Gift wrapped, please."

"Yes, sir," the man replied, excited for the sale.

Noah wondered if the clerk would have attempted selling him more if he had known he was selling to a duke.

He was likely pleased I didn't ask to see something else when he mentioned it being expensive, Noah considered.

Once he had the wrapped gift in hand, the Duke paid, placed the present in his breast pocket, and made his way back to the beginning of the street, hoping Anne was still in the dress shop. He noticed Jeremy, Charles, and Diana coming down the street, and it seemed at the same moment, Jeremy saw him. Noah hesitated but decided he should come to them. However, Jeremy just as quickly ushered Diana and Charles into the milliners.

The Baron loudly said, "Lady Diana, perhaps you could offer your keen eye to Charles in selecting a new hat."

Then, he looked back to Noah, caught his eye, and winked.

"Jolly good, old man," thought Noah as he continued to the haberdashery to find Anne.

When he entered the seamstress shop, he was surrounded by ladies' dresses and hats but also all manner of thread, needle, material, and sewing supplies. However, the only thing that caught his eye was Anne, atop a platform in the final fitting of the dress from the window.

It was soft purple and embellished with beads and lace. She held a small fan made of darker purple feathers in one hand and comb decorated with flowers in the same dark shade of purple for her hair.

Both women had turned to look at him when the bell above the door sounded his entry.

"You look lovely, Anne," said the Duke.

Anne blushed and softly replied, "Thank you, Noah."

The seamstress noted the lingering look between them and said, "If the gentleman will excuse us, I can package everything up, and he can carry it for you."

"Yes. Right. Excuse me," Noah stammered and stumbling a little as he turned to wait outside the store.

She will be a vision the night of the ball, and Diana will be able to read everything I feel for her in one look, Noah thought disappointedly. While she is concerned about all I must do in London, I can only think of all I yearn to do here.

After a few minutes, the door to the dress shop opened once more. This time, Anne came out with the seamstress behind her. Anne held a small box, and the seamstress handed a larger package to the Duke.

"I did not realize who you were, Your Grace," the woman said in apology. "Thank you for visiting Reedley and my little store. My husband and I will be attending the ball, and he is looking forward to meeting you. He's the tailor. We leave our shop to our apprentices and assistants twice a year to view the trends in Covent Garden."

"I admire your dedication. When you are next in London, you are welcome to tea at Grandon Manor, and my sister can tell you some additional merchants of London worth visiting," invited Noah

"Really, Your Grace?" asked the woman,

"You have my word," replied the Duke.

The woman smiled brightly and clapped her hands together at her chest. She rushed back inside, and Anne smiled.

"You have made her day," said Anne.

"The sight of you in your gown and walking around in town together has made mine," replied Noah.

"I enjoy being together this way, too," Anne admitted.

However, they had only taken a few steps before they saw the rest of the party exit the millinery. Diana looked angry and then perplexed. As she approached Noah and Anne with Jeremy and Charles following closely behind, she resumed the forced smile from earlier that afternoon when she arrived. She walked quickly and took a breath before speaking.

She asked, "Did you change your mind and purchase the dress for me, or are you carrying Miss Drowton's things?"

"I told you I was not going to buy you the dress, Diana, and it turned out the dress you fancied was the one Anne commissioned to be made when the ladies began planning the banquet," the Duke replied somewhat smugly.

Charles and Jeremy had caught up with them now. Lady Diana clenched her jaw.

Then, seeming to smile more boldly and disingenuously, she looked at Anne and said, "Miss Drowton, it appears I am the one who must compliment your taste, for I coveted your dress."

"I took you admiring it as a great compliment," Anne replied politely.

For the duration of the afternoon Lady Diana hardly spoke another word.