A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

" I am so glad you are already in the kitchen, Peggy," Anne said. "Allowing Lady Diana time to rest before joining us gave us a bit of a late start, but Charles' distraction with showing her ‘the best of Reedley' slowed us down even further. I don't even think she cared."

"A lady like that doesn't seem to be impressed by much," replied the maid. "Forgive me for listening a little bit when she got here, but I don't know that many good people would be impressed by her either. I mean, I know she has rank and all, but she doesn't seem very nice."

"I agree, but we must not gossip or form our opinions over what might be one bad day," said Anne as she tied her apron around her waist. "Noah did say that she is a little spoiled, but she was even younger than he was when their parents passed. I don't know what relationship her parents had with her, but I'm sure that loss and his duties keeping him away at times are the larger part of her being the person we met today. Finishing schools only finish what is started in my opinion, and we cannot speak on her start."

"That is very compassionate of you," replied the maid.

"Well, it is all hindsight," Anne admitted. "I am so fond of Noah, and we did not get along immediately. However, now, I don't believe I know a finer man. Surely, despite our differences, Lady Diana must be as good, too. I am determined to see her as such until life shows me otherwise. Being a little spoiled is not such a terrible thing and not uncommon for those of rank either. Look at Aunt Sarah. Forgive me, Viscountess Sarah Turner of Weston."

Anne and Peggy shared a look. Then, they began thinking of a meal they could prepare quickly that would meet the standards of Lady Diana Campbell, sister of the Duke of Grandon.

"I only have your assistance briefly because Lady Diana requested your help dressing for dinner when I showed her to her room," Anne said. "Better to have you go to her in a timely manner rather than she need call for you and wait because you are helping here."

"Yes, Miss," replied Peggy.

When the table was set, Anne instructed Peggy to gather everyone for the meal. Lady Diana was in her room resting, and the three men were in the parlor for a game of whist. Their now usual modified seating arrangement was modified again only slightly by an additional chair on Jeremy's right, seating Lady Diana between him and his grandson, Charles, whose curiosity with the young lady seemed to only be growing the longer she stayed.

"I will say, whatever your cook has prepared smells appetizing," said Diana. "Hopefully, like looks, smells are not deceiving."

"I can assure you that you will be quite pleased with the meal," said Noah, smiling at Anne. "The woman who prepares the food at Reedley Manor is far better than any who have worked at Grandon in years."

"Well, then I would say we should tempt her to return to London with us, but I know your palette is rather distinct. I might not be as impressed as you are, despite the fragrance," replied Lady Diana.

She hoped to irritate her brother by bringing up his unusual food proclivities, but she noticed he was still looking at Anne.

He did not even seem to hear her as he only responded "Hmm."

Normally, a comment like she had made would at least warrant a stern look as he said her name.

Lady Diana looked at Anne and noticed she had a similar look and smile, but before she could speak, the maid entered with the first remove. She watched as each item was placed at the table and was surprised that each item was beautifully plated and garnished, appearing to be as appetizing as it smelled.

Jeremy said, "I hope your first venture into Reedley was not traumatizing," as Lady Diana was served a portion of button soup.

"It went as expected," the Lady replied, neither giving a pleasant or negative detail to support her comment. Instead, she eyed her soup and said, "This is not white soup. A little unsophisticated to serve a duke something other than white soup during this portion of the meal."

"I have had white soup during my stay, and it was more delicious than any I had been served in London," noted Noah, eating a spoonful of the soup in front of him happily.

"This is Soup à la Reine" Anne explained. "It is a white soup, but it is not what people traditionally associate with white soup. They have their similarities, so perhaps you will still enjoy it."

Daina tasted it, determined to find cause for complaint, but there was nothing.

"It is delicate yet still rich," she acknowledged eating another spoonful. "But any cook can prepare soup: a few quality vegetables and stocks simmer together, and people are supposed to be impressed."

Though her words were dismissive, her eyes were wide and roving the other items at the table, waiting to be tasted.

She asked, "The fish there, how is that prepared? What's in it?"

Anne looked where Lady Diana gestured at the table and said, "That is stuffed plaice. The stuffing is breadcrumbs, oysters, mushrooms and herbs. It is basted with a honey, butter, and garlic mixture periodically while it bakes."

Lady Diana appeared to raise a pleased eyebrow.

Then, she pointed again and asked, "This is?"

"This is a herring pie. It is quite savory and filled with herring, potatoes, onions, and a very fine sauce all melded together in a flaky, buttery crust," Anne answered becoming more animated as she spoke.

The meal continued this way with little room for other conversations. Though Diana did not compliment any part of the meal with words, she did sample everything that came to the table and hardly left a morsel on her dish.

When dinner was to be served, she commented, "You know each item so well, Miss Drowton. Each ingredient, every seasoning. Listening to you describe it, one might think you had spent the afternoon in the kitchen with the cook."

When Noah first arrived, Anne had not thought it appropriate for the Duke to know the Baron's family not only worked with the staff of the house, but there was only one member of staff at all. She looked at her family. Charles, oblivious, continued eating and admiring the Duke's sister's manners. However, Jeremy looked at his granddaughter proudly and gave her a nod. Noah smiled at her as well and tipped his head with an understanding shrug.

"One could say that as I am the cook," Anne said. "I prepare each menu and do the cooking with Peggy's assistance."

"I was curious about that as well. She is the maid who has served us, correct?" Diana asked to which Anne nodded. "She also saw me in and helped me dress for the evening. Have you no other maids or house staff?"

"We have no other staff of any sort as we do most things ourselves here in Reedley Manor," Anne replied proudly with a smile. Then, she noted, "Mm, this profiterole is delicious. You must have some. The other items for dessert are the Bakewell tart, the Victoria Sponge is usually very good, and, after seeing that you enjoy chocolate this afternoon — chocolate nonpareils and conserve of chocolate."

As Anne smiled at Diana, the Duke's sister forced herself to be enthused and smile back. Then, she smirked when she believed no one was looking.

After a tasting some of the desserts, she said, "Well, I admit that I am of little use beyond providing our cook a menu for each evening however that is only because I have been too busy refining the skills expected of a lady of stature."

"Do you play piano?" Charles asked.

"I do," Diana said, pleased to tell of the things she did well. "I also speak Italian, French, draw exceptionally well, and I took classes with one of the finest dance masters in London."

Noah looked at his sister, and she smiled at him proudly.

"Anne and I have conversed in French a time or two, and she carries conversation in the language, but I most enjoy her cooking. I also like her eye for things like floral arrangements and her embroidery work. I look forward to dancing with her at the banquet."

"It is not a contest, Your Grace," Lady Diana said to her brother tartly.

"So, let's not make it one," suggested Jeremy, entering the conversation. "Otherwise, we would be here all night to count the ways that the women in our lives make our lives worth living."

"Well said, Reedley," agreed Noah, looking at his sister. "Everything was delicious, but, sister, now is the time we all normally adjourn to the parlor."

"Yes, Grandon," said Jeremy. "Let's have a bit of brandy while I enjoy my pipe. Ladies, we entreat you to join us."

At the Baron's words, everyone made their way to the parlor, but Lady Diana still looked perturbed. The Baron resumed his usual seat on one end of the sofa with his pipe, and the Duke seated himself at the opposite end. Though he no longer needed to prop his feet on the ottoman, he had come to find it comfortable. Before Anne had the opportunity, Lady Diana seated herself between the two men, so Anne sat in the chair across from the Duke with her needlepoint.

Charles seated himself at the card table and asked, "Does anyone feel up for a game of Spillikins?"

When no one immediately said yes, he entreated Diana directly asking, "Do you have steady hands? Sometimes people avoid games they have never played before because they think they might be complicated. This one isn't at all. All you need is to purchase the packet of sticks and have a steady hand. The goal is to pick them up, one at a time, without moving the others."

"It sounds childish and simple," Diana replied, sounding bored.

"I could play with you, Charles," offered Anne.

"I'll play a round or two as well," said Noah.

Peggy brought a cart with the brandy in a decanter, several glasses, and a small assortment of cheeses and meats, and excused herself. By the time everyone had a drink in hand and repositioned themselves in the room, Diana had changed her mind.

"I believe I would prefer to turn in for the night. It has been a very long day," she said, emphasizing each of the last few words.