Page 1 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
CHAPTER 1
So, you see, the task is too much for your cousin and me. I ask that my father spare at least one of you from his care to assist us. Then, you may return to Reedley Manor.
Warm regards, Sarah Turner, Viscountess of Weston
"How genial. Would she like us to sleep in the servant's quarters, too," Anne Drowton muttered just low enough that her grandfather wouldn't hear.
Her younger brother, Charles, heard and stifled a laugh.
"Well, hello to you, too, Sarah Turner, Viscountess of Weston," Jeremy Drowton huffed.
He set his daughter's letter down. "She always writes so formally now. I understand our station and the rise she made in her match, but this is personal correspondence between family. It ispermissible to be a little less formal. You would think we were mere acquaintances."
He was quiet a moment, and Anne and Charles could both see the letter had affected him to a great degree. It was clear he wanted more closeness between himself and his only child that remained. Then, as he looked at his grandchildren in the room with him, he brightened.
"She may have been pressed for time when she wrote it," he decided, offering his daughter the benefit of the doubt. "We will make a special trip to town before we go to London. I should buy a few presents for the Viscountess and Phoebe."
"That is very thoughtful of you, Grandfather," Anne said.
Though she smiled, inside she felt a warm rage simmering. If her father were alive, and she married, high or low, she would write him with love. She would visit him often if she didn't live close enough to see him and her mother each day or week.
"Phoebe used to like sneaking into her mother's perfume. A bottle of her own might be appropriate now that we're older. I wouldn't know what to bring to Aunt Sarah," Charles suggested, rubbing the back of his neck.
"That's very thoughtful, my boy. You'll do well keeping a young lady happy when the time is right," the Baron praised, patting Charles on the back. "We all have time to think about something we can do for Sarah. For now, I am going to rest with a book in my room. I'll see you both in the morning."
He patted Charles on the shoulder once more then decided to hug his grandson. As he passed, Anne rose to hug him, and Jeremy kissed her cheek.
"Goodnight," he said, leaving the room.
"Goodnight, Grandfather," Anne and Charles echoed.
To their grandfather, they sounded like children for a moment.
They waited until their grandfather was out of earshot.
"There was nothing warm about that letter," Anne said. "Warm regards. She didn't even sign as Aunt Sarah."
"Proper titles are important," Charles argued, taking their aunt's letter and looking it over himself. "Well, you should send correspondence informing her when to expect you."
"Me, no, dear brother. You will be the one making this trip. I have far too much to tend to here to leave for weeks," Anne countered. "If I'm gone, who will cook, clean, and see to Grandfather?"
"If I'm gone, who will oversee the land, speak with the farmers and the merchant, and manage the expenses?" Charles retorted.
"You aren't doing such a remarkable job of that now," Anne said, teasing her brother.
Charles laughed a little then replied, "All the more reason that I should stay and improve myself."
They each sat down in the parlor to consider the letter.
"Would it be better if we both go?" Charles asked. "We're a pretty good team and can knock out anything she wants quickly if we do it together."
"You don't want to go alone," Anne observed.
"Neither do you. We could make the most of it together," Charles replied.
"Even so, we can't both leave Grandfather. He's seventy-five, too old to be left to look after himself," Anne said thoughtfully.
"Peggy can look after him. You do most things around here anyway. If she only has to care for Grandfather, they can manage," Charles suggested. "Peggy is more than capable and knows how Grandfather can be."
