A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

" S orry to be late," Lady Diana said when she finally joined the morning meal. "I did not realize people in the country rose so early."

"You are perfectly fine," replied the Baron. "A lady of leisure needs her sleep."

"And you look radiant and well rested," added Charles. "Peggy only just announced the meal was ready. So, you really aren't late at all."

"Oh, well, shall we?" Diana said, changing directions and returning to the dining area to be served.

"Good morning, Lady Diana," Anne greeted politely. "I trust you slept well?"

"Well enough," Diana responded curtly. "Did you prepare coffee with whatever else you have prepared for this morning? For breakfast, I prefer to simply have a bit of coffee and a little cake."

"Yes, there is coffee and cream and sugar if you wish," replied Anne.

"Good," said Lady Diana .

Overhearing, Peggy quickly brough coffee for the lady though Diana only added sugar.

Everyone else ate heartily of meats, cheeses, toast, muffins, and cakes. Lady Diana stuck to her word and ate only a small piece of madeira cake with a bit of fruit preserve.

She clearly enjoys the food. I wonder why she is being so restrained this morning, Anne thought.

Anne watched as everyone else ate their fill while Diana pretended to be disinterested in having anything more.

Each time she says no, her gaze falls back on the nut and berry muffins, Anne thought. Perhaps I could set aside a few to offer again at lunch.

At almost the moment Anne had the thought, Jeremy said, "I will be going out today after breakfast. I'm sure Esther and Judith have learned we have another ranking guest. Before they come to introduce themselves or wish to make merry with another event, I think it best to make a friendly visit to Esher's husband, Lawrence. I can bring it into conversation, so they can politely tell me how they hate to go by gossip but had heard about a young woman with us yesterday."

"Would you like company, Grandfather?" Anne and Charles asked.

"No, it is a lovely day. The four of you enjoy it. Play cards, read, have a picnic," Jeremy encouraged.

"A picnic sounds nice," said Noah, looking at Anne. "We could take a basket on our afternoon walk. Start a little earlier and spend the afternoon in some of the flower gardens."

"That would be lovely," agreed Anne.

"You say ‘our afternoon walk' as though it is something you do all the time, brother," Diana said with a chuckle.

"Oh, Anne and Grandon walk together every afternoon," Charles observed, spreading jam over another muffin and having a bite of cheese. "Sometimes they are gone for two or three hours, just walking about the property."

"It is part of the physician's recovery instruction," Noah explained, looking at Charles with slight frustration. "I am supposed to walk a little more each day to progress strengthening my ankle. At first, I could hardly trek half an hour. And Anne and I didn't start out walking together. When we did, she was mostly showing me the grounds, and I would carry things to the house for her."

"You needn't explain yourself to me, Your Grace," Diana said curtly, sipping the last of her coffee and pouring more. "I shall join you two this afternoon. I suppose I have nothing better to amuse myself with, and I have missed you so."

"I'm sure you have," Noah replied, eyeing his sister.

"I shall come, too, so pack plenty, Anna," decided Charles, somehow unaware of the tension in the room.

Jeremy cleared his throat and said, "Well, it sounds like the four of you should have an interesting time."

"Indeed," Diana agreed.

She forced her smile once more and looked from her brother to Anne and back again. Then, she looked at Charles, who was chipper as he finished his muffin and moved on to a slice of pork. Diana rolled her eyes and set her coffee cup down once more without drinking.

"Is something wrong?" Anne asked politely.

"What? Oh, no. I just decided I'd rather not have a second cup," Diana said distractedly. "I'm going to change for our walk and picnic. Call for me when it is time to leave."

"Very well," said Anne.

Once Diana was out of the room, Anne noted, "I do not think we are making a very good impression on your sister."

"Her opinion hardly matters to me," said Noah.

"Of course, it does," disagreed Anne.

"Well, it would mean more to me for her to want to make a good impression on all of you," said Noah.

"I'm impressed. She's an impressive young lady, such poise," observed Charles.

"I've got to travel with you more," murmured Jeremy.

As they finished their breakfast, he readied himself to visit Lawrence and to head off Judith and Esther's curiosities. Charles eagerly went to the study to skim some of the books for interesting points of conversation with Diana.

"Well, for a moment, we are alone," Noah said, looking at Anne with a warm smile.

"We are," agreed Anne, smiling as well. "Please, do not think I am rude for asking, but why do you harbor such tension toward your sister?"

"You've met her," Noah replied as though it was obvious.

"Well, yes, but aside from certain expectations and opinions she holds and voices somewhat inconsiderately at times, she does seem to care about you and be concerned for you," Anne pointed out. "You should appreciate that much."

"My sister cares to control me for her own benefit. Nothing more," said Noah, appearing to have no further interest in the conversation.

"I apologize. Let us move on to more pleasant things," Anne said, not wanting to press the matter further. "I shall prepare our picnic. Do you think we should take a book for someone to read us or perhaps bring supplies to sketch and draw each other or the view."

"As long as you bring your company, I will see to it that you brother and I carry anything else you wish to have," Noah replied with a dreamy smile as he gently touched Anne's hand. "More than anything else, I just want to enjoy your company."

Anne smiled. "And I yours, but I'm sure your sister would like more than that, and I would like to see her enjoy herself and grow as comfortable as you have."

"If you insist," Noah replied with a look of resignment and shrug of his shoulders.

Then, he and Anne met eyes once more, and his charming grin reappeared.

"You prepare the food. I'll ask your brother to fetch a basket so he and I can collect a few books and art supplies," he suggested.

"Thank you," said Anne.

When it was midday, Anne and Noah stepped out the back door and began to walk side by side through the garden. Behind them, Diana walked with Charles, she frowned at the flowers of the garden in the back lawn and rolled her eyes at Charles' attempts to impress her by sounding well read in literature and up to date on the politics of the monarchy.

"I think King George would do well to limit how much romantic fiction is being produced right now. I mean, it has its place, and I could easily recite Shelley or Byron or read you the pages of Edgeworth or Hoffman, but I think the kingdom would be in far better shape if printers published more works about current events and the economy."

"I think more newspapers and periodicals sounds like a terrible idea," said Diana. "Dreadful. If I am going to read something, I do not wish it to be more of what we see every day. There are enough papers publishing their opinions on that."

"Oh," Charles replied.

Then, changing the subject, he gestured to some of the shrubbery they were passing.

"Do you like our shrubbery? I shape and maintain them. I want it to be a pleasant place to walk. I've created small areas with benches for two people to sit and chat. There's one over there. Would you care to join me?" he asked, shifting the basket he carried and offering his arm to Diana.

"I am quite all right, thank you. I would prefer to reach wherever we are picnicking, have a bit of whatever we are eating, and then return to the manor and rest," she said. "I enjoy walking about the city to see merchants, but a walk in the country, so far, does not seem to be something I would like to do again.

Charles looked disappointed.

"That's unfortunate," he said.

"Charles seems desperate for your sister's attention," observed Anne. "I'm not sure why. He recognizes they would be a poor match, but still, he is determined to make some sort of impression on her. Or perhaps he is seeking something of her that will imprint on him as you have for when he seeks a hand in time."

"He can do far better than a spoiled child like my sister and her companions. Although, I dare say there are one or two who have recently held their debut that could suit his temperament in time. He is intelligent but still boyish, so it is hard to say. He would need someone who could spur him along with his work but also share a game over hot chocolate with him in the evening. Occasionally offer him wine and encourage how well he is managing things."

"That sounds about like what I have imagined for him as well. No matter his age, Charles will be Charles, but I think that is good. He is good," agreed Anne.

"He is," said Noah firmly. "I imagine by the time he is my age, he will have met his match and already have a little one."

Anne smiled and felt reassured as she glanced back at her brother.

"He will," she agreed then she asked, "And what do you need in a good match? Why haven't you taken some girl's hand? Don't you wish to have a little one at home when you return from business?"

Noah was thoughtful.

Then, he said, "I want someone I can talk with or be content in complete silence with. Someone who is my perfect company on walks. And little ones in their due time when I can devote myself to them."

He paused and looked at Anne directly, and she blushed and slowed her step.

"That sounds like a life to be happy with," she said softly.

"It does," he agreed, offering her his free arm as they strolled a bit further.

Behind him, his sister suddenly loudly complained, "I believe I would like to be seated for lunch soon. Are we going far?"

"There is an open meadow that grows betony not much further," said Anne. "I thought that would be an area that might please you. We don't have many areas with predominantly white flowers, but their soft purple hue and the butterflies they attract would be a pleasing aesthetic while we dine."

"Perhaps, but the bees they attract along with the butterflies will be bothersome," complained Diana.

"Only if you disturb them," said Charles. "Otherwise, in their own way, they can be just as enjoyable to observe."

"Naturally, you find something like bees fascinating," snipped Diana with a somewhat disparaging laugh.

"I do," said Charles. "With your brother's help, I have learned the value of the local honey harvests, but aside from that, I have always found bees and many other useful insects fascinating. Where would our flowers and gardens be without them? Who doesn't admire the miracle of their flight despite the proportion of their body and wings? And their coloring, means of communication, and resilience are all striking."

After a moment, Diana replied, "Well then," seeming unsure what else she could say.

Noah and Anne looked at Charles and then each other proudly.

Once they reached the meadow, Charles, Noah, and Anne worked together to lay a large blanket and unpack the baskets they brought as Diana watched or looked out at the field. They didn't eat right away, but the men sipped ale, and Anne poured a glass of lemonade for herself and Diana. She also placed the nut and berry muffins with jam near Diana, hoping her gesture would soften the Duke's sister some.

"Would you like to see a trick?" Anne asked Noah once they were settled.

"All right," he replied, usure what to expect.

Anne pinched a few stems of the betony surrounding them and held them toward the duke.

"How does that smell?" she asked.

"I don't smell much at all," he replied.

She held them toward her brother and Diana.

Charles said, "I don't smell anything either.

Diana rolled her eyes, but observed, "No, there is hardly any scent, not in the whole field.

Then, Anne plucked the petals from their stems, rubbed them between her hands, and released them into the napkin.

She held it before them and said, "Now?"

The others looked at her questioningly but leaned in and inhaled.

"That is pleasant," noted Charles.

"It's lightly minty," said Noah.

"It is in the mint family. It used to be commonly used for a variety of medicinal purposes," Anne explained.

"Flowers should be observed for their beauty," Diana said.

"I like that some of them have practical uses, too," replied Charles with a shrug.

She rolled her eyes once more.

Charles didn't seem to mind. He still admired her demure ways, but somewhere along the walk, the intrigue about her seemed to have faded. Diana seemed determined to be as bored as possible with everyone and everything as she had been since her arrival.

"I like that as well," agreed Noah. "And I think it is fascinating that you know these sorts of things."

He and Anne smiled at one another. Then, he grabbed another flower from the field surrounding them and offered it to Anne.

"Keep some to place in each of our rooms at the manor. I would like to lay in bed and smell this in the air," he suggested. "Wouldn't you?"

"I think it would give me a headache," said Diana.

At the same time, Anne agreed, "I believe that would be lovely, quite soothing."

Diana glared at Anne and then at Noah, but neither of them saw because they were gazing at one another.

"I'm hungry," she announced flatly, garnering everyone's attention as she loudly unwrapped the plates and utensils.

She removed enough to serve herself and then placed a nut and berry muffin on her plate along with some trimmings of a joint of meat that Anne packed. She slathered the muffin with jam and bit it as the others looked on.

After a moment, Anne said, "I suppose it is a good time to eat."

Then, she distributed plates and utensils to everyone who remained and began to serve items from the foods she had packed. Before she ate, she offered to refill everyone's glass or to serve sherry or brandy; the brandy was unanimously agreed upon.

Charles continued to attempt making conversation with Diana, but she grew weary of him and declared, "I have a headache," so that he would speak less.

He seemed fine occupying himself with observing the butterflies, bees, and clouds when he couldn't speak to her any longer. Anne and Noah hardly noticed as they had relaxed and seemed on a picnic with just the two of them, despite their company.

"I was hesitant at first, but now, I am looking forward to the banquet. I would like to see you in your dress and dance with you," Noah said to Anne in a low voice.

He lay on his side, looking at her. She sat so her hip and upper body were near him, and her legs were tucked the opposite way, supporting her along with one hand she was tracing the pattern of the blanket with.

"I am looking forward to it as well," she said, blushing. "I don't think I have ever looked forward to a banquet or dance so much.

"Perhaps I can convince my sister to being in our carriage or yours with your brother and grandfather. Then, I could drive you, and you could sit at my side as we arrive," Noah suggested, moving his hand so that their fingers touched.

"Noah!" Diana shrieked.

The Duke looked annoyed as though he had been roused during a pleasant dream.

"Yes, Diana?" he replied without taking his eyes off Anne.

"I would like a word with you," she said curtly.

Then, she stood and walked deeper into the field, away from the group.

"One moment," Noah said to Anne before rising and walking to join his sister.

When he reached Diana, before he could ask what troubled her, she made her frustrations known.

"You have obligations in London. Responsibilities. You have made promises," Diana said angrily. "And, to make matters worse, now, you are discarding me?"

"No one is discarding you," he argued. "I merely wanted to drive separately with Anne."

"‘I want to drive separately with Anne,'" Diana mimicked in a snickering voice. "How has this country woman captured your attention so that you would forget your place? Your duties? The promises you have made. You must keep your word and save face from indiscretion."

"I have forgotten nothing though you seem to have forgotten who you are speaking to. I am your elder brother, I am your duke, and most importantly, I am my own man. You nor anyone else will control me or tell me what to do short of King George III himself. Am I clear?" he said in a sharper tone than he had ever used with his sister.

"Quite clear," Diana replied, looking shocked and displeased.

"Furthermore, this ‘country woman' is the granddaughter of a baron, a man of rank himself, not that it matters. More importantly, she is a good woman, and my choosing to spend time with her only concerns you as you should treat her and her family with better respect and consideration than you have shown."

Diana stared at her brother. She looked Noah up and down.

Finally, she said, "You are right. I will be kinder."

When they returned to the blanket, Diana did seem to improve her temperament.

"I apologize for my previous behavior. Charles, it is very interesting, all you know about bees and other things. Anne, your food has been delicious, and I would love to get the recipe for the muffins you packed in the picnic basket to London. I think they would be a delight to serve our friends in London at tea."

"That would be no trouble at all," Anne replied, smiling.

Diana smiled as well, and it seemed the most relaxed smile they had seen on her face since the young woman's arrival. She was the most pleasant and polite she had been for the rest of the day, even throughout the evening meal and socializing after.

However, Anne was surprised to have Diana come to her room when everyone retired that evening, looking equally distraught.

"May I speak with you privately? Out of respect and consideration, I must tell you something that might upset you. But I promise, I do it out of kindness."