Page 19 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
As excited as he is to participate, I wonder why he hasn't offered to share these journals with Charles before,wondered Anne.Perhaps it has been so long since he managed things he has forgotten all it requires. I suppose Charles hasn't known the questions to ask, so between the two of them, we were patching holes blindly.
Offering Charles some encouragement, Noah said, "You'll do well once we pull everything together and organize it for you. You can do the work; you just haven't had all the information in front of you it seems."
Anne felt herself smile a little then she looked up and realized Noah was looking at her. It was unexpected and unnerving when the corner of his mouth seemed to tip upward and smile at her.
"I think I feel peckish. Would anyone join me if I set a light luncheon at the table," she asked, closing her book and looking away.
"I would," Charles said eagerly. "I need a break from all of this. I mean, I'm glad to be making progress, but I feel as though I need to go backward to move forward. It's like living in a home and realizing you've only built the exterior."
"That's a clever analogy," Noah replied. Then, to Anne, he said, "I could use a little break as well, and something to eat sounds nice."
"Lovely, I shall make my way to the kitchen, then," Anne replied.
As she made her way out of the room, Anne felt herself smiling once more.
I suppose the Duke isn't so bad,she thought.First impressions are only that, impressions. Learning someone's real and true nature takes much more time.
As she prepared trays of fruit, meats, and cheese, Anne considered the person the Duke seemed to be when he first arrived at Reedley Manor and the man whom she was getting to know.
I judged him harshly,she considered.He was wounded and living with an inner struggle I couldn't have imagined.
"Anne, have you heard me at all?" Grandfather's voice broke through Anne's thoughts. "I have called your name twice."
"Sorry, Grandfather, I was a little distracted," Anne replied.
"I see that," her grandfather said with a laugh. "I came to suggest that we have wine with the food instead of tea or coffee."
"Oh?" replied Anne. "That should be fine. Red will pair well with thinly sliced veal, salmon, and the salted beef cuts."
"Yes, and it should help conversation," Grandfather agreed, taking a smear of cheese and eating it on a piece of bread while they spoke. "I would like to get to know Noah better, but he does not seem to be one for relaxed conversation. Everything he saysis purposed. I would like to hear him tell a joke or better yet, laugh at one."
"Perhaps you could tell him your bit about the award-winning scarecrow," Anne suggested.
"Yes, he was outstanding in his field," Jeremy said with a laugh. "People love that one, but I imagine it is too common for the tastes of a man like the Duke. No, I will have to reel him in with a few that require a bit more thought."
"A riddle or two, then?" Anne proposed.
It is good that company, even such as the Duke, brings out such life and acuity in Grandfather. I have missed this enthusiasm in him,she thought.
"Yes, yes," he replied thoughtfully. "Any fool can be amused by the telling of a joke or recitation of a limerick, but a thinking man loves a good puzzle I have several good riddles I can liven up conversation with to pull the man out of his shell."
He left the room muttering to himself before calling back, "Red wine!"
"Yes, Grandfather," Anne said. Quietly, to herself, Anne added, "Perhaps I shall have a glass instead of tea. It will help me relax as well."
When the meal was served, Charles was the first to note the wine in his glass and on the table rather than a teapot and coffee service.
"Even I will set down the hot chocolate for a glass of wine," he remarked, gladly taking a sip from his glass before the meal began. "I see now why some men have a drink in the evening or a pipe after a day crunching numbers."
"The day is not yet done," Noah replied, tipping his glass toward Charles as well.
Jeremy and Anne shared a look. Then, he winked at his granddaughter, and they each sipped from their glasses, too.
"Your Grace," Jeremy said, focusing on their guest. "It has been some time since I have been to London. Please, tell us about the latest fashions. Are there any good plays we are missing? Interesting jokes and riddles being shared among the men at clubs?"
"I am afraid I don't take time for such frivolities," Noah said, portioning food to his plate.
Grandfather looked disappointed.
