Page 17 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
After he spat a few times and wiped his mouth once more, Anne apologized, "I'm sorry. I did not realize you were feeling unwell."
The Duke only shook his head.
"Is there…" Anne paused looking for the right words.
She felt she had somehow caused what the Duke was experiencing now.
"Is there anything I can bring you?" she asked. "Is there something I can do, Your Grace?"
"Next time, you and everyone else can take me at my word when I insist on declining. As I said, I need to excuse myself," he replied.
Anne didn't speak. She only nodded and remained in place as the Duke walked away. After a moment, she returned inside to find that Esther and Judith were preparing to leave.
"Thank you for coming," she said.
"Yes, thank you for the cake," Charles said.
"And the pie," added Jeremy. "I think, now, I am ready for an afternoon nap."
"I'll walk you to your room, Grandfather," Charles said.
Anne sat down at the table and looked over the food. She sniffed her slice of cake and tasted it. She sniffed her slice of pie and tasted that as well.
"I don't understand," she said to herself. "Esther and Judith are perfectly good cooks. These smell and taste well enough. No one else is nauseous."
Anne couldn't figure out what caused the tension at the table or why the Duke took ill, but for the moment, rather than press the matter, she cleared the table. Then, she decided to go to her room and rest as well. Their impromptu luncheon had been exhausting.
After walking the grounds for some time, Noah returned to Reedley Manor.
"Can I bring you some tea, Your Grace?" Peggy asked when they crossed paths as she dusted.
"No, thank you. Peggy?" he asked.
"Yes, Your Grace," the maid replied, surprised he learned her name.
"Peggy, would you please bring a glass of brandy to me in the parlor?" he asked.
"Of course, Your Grace," Peggy replied.
Noah continued his walk to the parlor, looking forward to getting off his wounded leg.
I've no doubt set my recovery back immensely,he thought.I feel as though I've swollen until my bandages might rip, but I needed the fresh air to clear my head.
As he reached the sofa and ottoman that he had claimed for himself during his stay, Noah sighed aloud with relief. He felt as though his body melted into the couch cushions, and placing his heel upon the ottoman brought as much relief as it had the night of his arrival.
The only thing better was the first sip of brandy when Peggy handed him his glass. She thoughtfully brought the decanter and placed it on the table nearest him.
As he finished the glass, Anne entered the room.
She did not speak and neither did Noah until he poured a second glass of brandy.
"I have a problem keeping things down," Noah admitted, feeling ashamed.
"I beg your pardon?" Anne asked, not sure she heard him correctly.
"I struggle to eat, and when I do eat, I have a hard time not having an episode like you saw earlier," Noah stated.
"I don't understand," Anne said, looking confused. "You ate dinner. You were fine at breakfast."
