Page 2 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"We both know Grandfather wouldn't agree to it. I can hear him now, ‘I'll not stay here with only a maid and have whispers about the goings on in my home. You should have hired additional staff when I told you to,'" she imitated, making a stern face as her grandfather did.
"And I can't even balance the books if I offer a modicum of the staff he believes we should have — that the manor used to require," Charles said, disappointed in himself.
"You will get there, Charles. You will," Anne encouraged. "We will make this place all that it was and more. Then, you will attend a dance or a dinner, and you will meet a young lady. You will invite everyone from barons to viscounts to the Earl himself to see how well the fields are doing. You will show them how much trade has improved, and they will hunt from the flourishing property you oversee."
Charles smiled but shook his head.
"I am going to work as hard as I can. I will tell everyone that whatever they see in me or this place is possible because of having you. You took care of me after our parents died," Charles said then he added, "Except for when you upheld your duties to other family members. Like our cousin, Phoebe Turner, and our aunt, Sarah Turner, Viscountess of Weston. She sends her warmest regards."
He laughed heartily, and Anne's loving smile changed to a laugh of frustration.
"What better education in managing the finances than helping Aunt Sarah and Cousin Phoebe?" Anne asked.
"There's no comparison," Charles argued, becoming serious again. "That's a much larger estate to manage."
"And a meal for twelve is more than a meal for three. Neither of those problems is what we face, but I know I could manage mine," Anne replied before standing.
Charles stood as well. At eighteen, he finally stood taller than his sister. Now, he straightened himself and tried to speak with authority.
"Anne, I would be of no benefit to Sarah and Phoebe. In this instance, you should make the trip to London," he declared, adding a firm nod for effect.
"Well, I went to London a few times as a child. You have only been twice and could use the exposure," Anne argued. "And don't think because you've grown a few inches or will hold a title that I will not always be your older sister. I will not be bossed around by you."
"Or anyone," Charles said, sitting down again. "I don't mean to boss you. It seemed like the only hand I could play in the matter."
Anne sighed.
"I will think about it. For now, I will send a letter. I will let her know we must consider what is best for our grandfather — her father. I will reason with her about the care he requires if one or both of us are absent. She's not been here to visit in some time, so she may not realize how little staff there is," Anne decided.
"No staff. One maid," Charles clarified.
"One maid is still staff. The plural and singular are the same," Anne stated. "This is fortunate so individuals of our status with limited staff can save face. We owe gratitude to the ambiguity of the word I suppose."
"Do you think she would be pleased if we all made the trip? Then, we could help her, and Grandfather could see his daughter and third grandchild. Everything works out," Charles suggested.
"We both know Sarah, Viscountess of Weston. If she wanted us all, her letter would have requested it. Besides, Grandfather doesn't do as well in London. For his health, it is better for him here in the fresh air," Anne replied.
Charles nodded. He understood. Aunt Sarah rarely invited her family to her home in London. She also didn't visit Reedley often. It's not that she was ashamed or didn't care. She had grown more preoccupied as Phoebe was older and became marriageable. Furthermore, she had her own life, friends, and station to tend to in London, and she didn't seem to have room for more.
"But she needs assistance. We will sort out what we need to do and reach an agreement later about whether you or I will go to her. Yes?" Anne asked.
"Yes," Charles agreed.
"Good. Then, let's put the matter to bed for tonight. It's late, and we will both view the matter clearly when we have had some rest," she said.
"Tomorrow, then," Charles agreed. "Not first thing. I'm no good until I have had a breakfast cake and hot chocolate."
"One of these days, you would do well to put down the hot chocolate and pick up the tea — or milk or coffee but something more mature than hot chocolate," Anne suggested.
"Maturity is knowing what I like and not caring that others find it childish," Charles argued.
"At this point, I think you continue to drink it to spite me," Anne replied with a small smile.
In some ways, she liked the parts of her brother that were still young and carefree. She felt she had grown up a lot in a brief time when their parents passed and they moved in with their grandfather. She liked that though he was a man now, he still maintained a certain youthfulness. Still, she knew that would be something to temper to be taken seriously. As the future Baron of Reedley, to at least some degree, Charles needed to be taken seriously. It was a fine line her grandfather had managed well as did their late father.
He'll get there,Anne told herself.He requires a little patience, but he has the Drowton men in him. He will do well when the time is right and he is ready.
"If I were going to do anything to spite you, it would be not finish a meal," Charles said. "I think that would gut you more than anything."
