A Spinster to Heal the Duke

Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

T he following morning and the next several days after were filled with people in and out of the house showing patterns and swatches of wall papers, fabrics, and small pieces of furniture for the ladies' consideration.

When there wasn't someone in the home needing an opinion or decision, Anne and Phoebe were working as hard as the rest of the staff, shifting, rearranging, dusting, polishing, and removing whatever the Viscountess requested.

Still, no matter what they did, Anne was not as distracted as she hoped. She didn't have time to cry, but it seemed her face still betrayed her, revealing the sadness she carried at times.

"Anne, are you sure you are all right?" Phoebe asked one morning as they polished a curio cabinet. "You have looked so downtrodden since you arrived here."

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to," Anne replied.

"It is okay," said Phoebe. "There is no need to apologize. I only asked to see if there is something we can do to cheer you up some."

Anne sighed.

"I really wouldn't know. I have never felt this way," she admitted.

"Well, why don't we go for a walk this afternoon?" Phoebe suggested. "Mother is out shopping for more things for the house. I do not expect her to return until just before dinner."

For a moment, Anne thought about her walks with Noah around Reedley property. She shook away the thought.

"That would be lovely," she agreed.

"Wonderful," said Phoebe.

They hurried to finish a reasonable amount of work so the Viscountess would be pleased when she returned then Anne and Phoebe freshened up and left to promenade in the park.

"It is rather nice to be out for a walk. I have missed the fresh air and greenery," Anne admitted.

"I enjoy it, too," agreed Phoebe. "At the main house, I spend most of my time outdoors collecting flowers, sketching birds, and walking the gardens. Nothing relaxes me more or clears my mind better."

"I agree," said Anne. "Well, perhaps cooking. I have always felt most at peace in the kitchen, but outside is a close second."

"I can only make a few things, but I think that would be enjoyable to serve a meal and know that I didn't only plan it but that I prepared it myself as well," considered Phoebe thoughtfully. "Perhaps you can teach me a few things while you are here. I would love to learn to make a pie or prepare breakfast."

"I would be more than happy to," said Anne, feeling a little more herself.

As the two women walked, they talked about simple foods Anne could teach Phoebe to make during her stay and the sorts of flowers they enjoyed each season.

Then, as Anne's mood was beginning to lighten, she saw him coming from the opposite direction. Among the people, Noah was out for a stroll in the park as well it seemed. He looked as though he had lost a little weight, and his face seemed gray, sullen.

"What is it?" Phoebe asked when Anne's stride paused.

"Lord Noah Campbell, Duke of Grandon," Anne replied breathlessly as he approached them.

"Anne," he greeted with a nervous and surprised expression, "how are you?"

More formally, Anne said, "Your Grace, this is my cousin, Lady Phoebe Turner, daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Turner of Weston, here in London. I am visiting as they prepare for the season."

"A pleasure to meet you," Noah said, greeting Phoebe.

"We have met once before," Phoebe replied, smiling but also appearing curious. "Though it seems you two know each other well?"

"Your cousin and her family cared for me when I was injured when my carriage crashed in Reedley," Noah explained. "I became quite close with their family during that time. Would you mind if Anne and I spoke privately?"

"Not at all," Phoebe said with a smile. "I shall just continue this direction until I reach a bench, Anne."

Anne nodded.

Her heart pounded in her chest, and she wasn't sure she had words to speak. She was amazed she was still standing at all.

"How are you?" Noah repeated. "How are the Baron and Charles?"

"They are doing well, probably better now that I am away for a little while," Anne replied, not adding that she had been sulking, pining for him since he left.

I imagine as I see differences in him, he likely sees any changes there have been in me, she thought.

"How is Diana?" Anne asked.

"She's likely better now that she tossed me out of the house for the afternoon. She says my ill mood has begun to distress her, and she needed time away from it," he admitted. "So, here I am on a walk where I can keep my low feelings to myself."

"Oh, I would think you should be amid an exciting time with upcoming nuptials. Congratulations by the way," Anne said.

"What are you talking about?" Noah asked.

"You are getting married soon?" enquired Anne. "Or are you planning a later date?"

"Didn't you receive any of my letters?" Noah asked.

"What letters?" Anne replied, feeling more confused by the minute.

"Anne, I have written to you nearly every day since I left Reedley Manor. Have you received none of them?" Noah asked, looking concerned.

"I have not received anything," she admitted.

Noah looked perplexed and then very angry.

He calmed himself and asked, "You said you are staying with the Viscount and Viscountess of Westen?"

"Yes," answered Anne still confused.

"I must go home and have a word with Diana then I wish to call upon you. Is that all right?" the Duke asked.

"I believe so," Anne replied. "I think the Viscountess would be more than happy if you were coming by. The concern would be that she is making changes to the house for the season, so please excuse that."

"It is no trouble. I will see you this evening," Noah said.

As he turned away, the growling anger inside him took over, and he rushed home in a huff. Anne returned to her cousin and felt she must tell Phoebe how she and Noah were acquainted. She regaled her cousin with tales of the Duke's stay at her home as they returned to the townhouse.

At Grandon, Noah stormed into the house and shouted, "Diana! Diana, I wish to speak with you now."

As his sister appeared from the music room, she complained, "I thought I told you to take your brooding moodiness somewhere else for the afternoon. I wanted a little peace from your moping."

"I wanted peace from your meddling," Noah snapped, meeting his sister in the middle of the room, looking at her with more animosity than she had ever seen from him.

"What are you talking about, brother?" she asked, hoping to placate whatever anger he was feeling.

"I'm talking about the letters. The letters I wrote to Anne that you somehow intercepted," Noah replied.

"I assure you I don't know what you are talking about," Diana said, pointing her nose high in the air and making to walk away, but Noah caught her by the arm.

"You told her of a commitment I had no intention of keeping, and that cut both of us deeply. Then, you somehow managed to prevent my messages from reaching her," he said in a near growl. "She is here in London. I have seen her. Don't lie to me. Where are the letters?"

Diana shook her arm loose of his grip, and Noah released her.

"Fine," Diana said. "They are in the bottom of the grandfather clock there. I figured the clock only needs to be wound every few years. I could burn them in winter without you knowing."

Noah felt hot as if fire burned inside him as he retrieved the letters. He flipped through them. Each one was there, including the first letter where he revealed he retracted the promise his parents had made on his behalf with Juliette's parents.

Diana explained, "I did what I thought was necessary. You are the Duke. You cannot disappear and return wanting to throw away a perfectly good arrangement with Juliette, daughter of an Earl, for some money hungry, country bumpkin, only seeking what she can gain."

"Leave, now," Noah's voice boomed, before she could utter another word against Anne.

She gasped, Then she looked angry and desirous to retaliate.

"Noah," she said trying to assume a commanding tone.

"No, I want you to leave here," he demanded.

Diana's expression quickly changed to confusion and hurt.

"I want you to leave," he repeated. "Go to the estate in Manchester or somewhere but leave London. I don't want to see you around the house. I don't want to bump into you in town. I don't want the least sight of you in my presence."

"But we are just coming into season. I will be ruined if I leave," she said, looking near tears.

"I don't care," Noah replied.

"You are ruining your own social life; must you destroy mine, too? Juliette is my dear friend. Can you not choose from the women of our circle? Of our status?" Diana cried.

"Can you not see that marriage, love, is so much more than that?" Noah asked. "How can your values be so skewed."

"It is not my values that are skewed brother. It is you who have lost your sense of duty to your peers," Diana argued.

"No, it is my duty to serve well by a marriage that is an example of happiness with a wife who exemplifies kindness, grace, and compassion for all. Not a woman who can't see beyond the bubble of her station," Noah said with disappointment in the person Diana had become.

Placating her, he continued, "If all goes well, I will be married to the woman of my choosing and leaving for the main estate soon enough. Then you can return here. I will grant you this as your home, so you never miss a season. However, one day I hope you meet someone who makes you realize there are greater things to hope for."

Diana sniffled some, but she accepted her brother's commands though she begrudged his decision.

Without another word, she left to pack. Noah began preparing to see Anne.