Page 14 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
Just as the Drowtons and their guests settled into their luncheon, there was a knock at the door. Before Peggy could call, "Coming," there was another rapping.
Considering the hasty succession, Anne rose from the table and raised a hand to the maid that she would answer the call herself.
"A moment please," she called, interrupting a third sounding.
When she opened the door, she was only a little surprised to see neighbors from further along the road, Esther Hughes and her spinster sister, Judith Jones.
"Esther, Judith," Anne said greeting the ladies with what enthusiasm she could muster. "Lovely to see you both. We were just about to luncheon."
"Oh? Then, we would love a sandwich," Esther replied, welcoming herself in Reedley Manor. "Actually, we brought acake and a pie thinking, ‘We have not had a luncheon or tea with Anne Drowton. We should visit her today.'"
"How thoughtful of you," Anne said, knowing they had likely seen or somehow gotten wind that there was something gossip worthy at Reedley Manor.
I wonder if they somehow saw or heard about the Duke,she thought.Or perhaps they saw Charles driving Dr. Edwards home and believed something happened to grandfather. Nevertheless, they are here now, and it would be rude to send them away, Other than being a little chatty, they are harmless.
"If you don't mind," Judith said, standing where she had been when the door opened.
Anne had a softer place for Judith as she showed a little more manners than Esther, most of the time.
"Not at all, Judith," she replied. "Please come in and join us."
Judith smiled and entered the house. Then, like Esther, she showed herself to the dining room.
As they walked through the house, the two women talked all the while — mostly Edith with Judith supporting her every word.
"We had heard from a neighbor that a man with a limp appeared on the doorstep of Reedley Manor two nights ago," Esther explained.
"Indeed, we did," echoed Judith.
"And our first thought was, ‘Oh, dear, we hope no one with ill will came to harm the Baron or his grandchildren in the night," Esther continued.
"Dreadful thought," added Judith. "I'll admit I assumed the worst."
They each helped themselves to a sandwich as Esther continued.
"We weren't sure if the Baron had been attacked in his sleep or if the person had been seeking help, so you can imagine our relief when we saw Charles driving Dr. Edwards home, and we learned at the market that you all were caring for a wounded gentleman," Esther stated. "The Duke, no less."
"Indeed," Anne said, resuming a new seat at the table as Esther had seated herself in the chair nearest the Duke and Judith had taken the one after that.
Anne now sat in a chair between her brother and her grandfather.
"Ladies, I present the Duke of Grandon," said Jeremy, setting his utensils down to gesture to the man at the other end of the table. "He shall be staying with us while he recovers from leg injuries received in a carriage crash."
"Oh, so you're staying," Esther gasped excitedly, clapping her hands together once loudly.
In a softer, more concerned tone, Judith added, "I hope you were not injured too badly."
"Nothing that won't heal," replied the Duke, looking to the Baron then Anne.
"And aren't we so glad to hear it," said Esther, waving a hand to quiet her sister. "Once we heard there was someone of status in the area, I immediately said to Judith, ‘We should host an event, a party or dinner, to celebrate the nobility that has come to Reedley.' Now, that we know it is the Duke of Grandon, a small dinner is certainly not enough."
"I assure you that is not necessary," Noah replied with a shake of his head.
"Of course it is, but it should be something larger," Esther persisted without pausing.
"Oh, no. I hate to cause a disruption," the Duke insisted.
I am only just getting used to Reedley Manor. I'm not sure that I can pass an evening surrounded by the bumpkins of the area or women who prattle on like this when they have been told no,Noah thought.
