Page 16 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
Though it seemed only Anne realized. Esther and Judith were still blissful that their food was being tasted by a duke. Charles only wanted to be able to eat. Jeremy, as always it seemed, only smiled at whatever he deemed to be the humor of the situation.
The Duke of Grandon shoveled several bites of cake into his mouth.
"Delicious," he said with his mouth full.
Hardly pausing to swallow, he ate the rest of the cake on his plate and several bites of the pie.
"You were right," he said. "Perfect."
Then, he cleaned his plate of pie as well. He could feel his stomach beginning to churn and looked at the uneaten portion of Anne's food that remained.
Now I couldn't eat the only part of the meal worth having if I tried,he thought.
"We're so glad you liked it, Your Grace," Esther said, unsure whether he really did or didn't.
She was inclined to believe he did not.
"Yes, so glad," replied Judith. "Perhaps eat a little more slowly so you can savor the flavors at the banquet."
Noah nodded.
Anne watched him with a fiery look growing in her eyes.
Jeremy and Charles each ate their portion and wanted more.
"Please excuse me," Noah said after sitting long enough for conversation to resume, planning his unwanted banquet.
When he departed from the table, Anne excused herself and followed.
"I should see if he needs assistance getting about," she explained as an excuse.
Truthfully, she wondered where the Duke was going and wanted the opportunity to tell him all that was wrong with his behavior while it was fresh in her mind.
"Your Grace," she called after him.
But it was as though he was drunk. He seemed not to hear her and stammered through the house.
"I need to get out of here," he said.
Anne wasn't sure if he was speaking to her or himself.
"No, you need to return to the table and apologize," she reprimanded. "Those ladies may whisper and gossip, but they are here to show you kindness, and you should reciprocate their gesture."
"I need air," Noah said.
"You need to do better at living up to your station," Anne replied, prepared to argue. "What sort of gentleman refuses the hospitality of others as much as you do? How do you think this will look to those ladies? Not to mention each person they are sure to talk to and tell prior to the banquet we will now be throwing you."
Noah found his way to the rear door of the house leading to the garden and said, "I'm asking you to please return inside."
"No, perhaps you should have to plead for small requests as we have all had to do with you," Anne spat, continuing to follow, though the Duke weaved and turned every time the garden path had opportunity.
"I'm warning you," he said.
"Warning me of what," Anne replied, refusing to back down.
When the Duke of Grandon, Noah Campbell, paused to expel all the contents of his stomach, Anne came to a full stop and even stepped back a little.
"Of that," he said, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his mouth.
