Page 23 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
Anne only said, "Yes, Grandfather."
During the meal, Charles and Jeremy spoke about all the things they had learned and hoped to change since working on the balances with Noah.
"I think we might even be able to take on one or two new members of staff at the end of the year," Charles suggested.
"That is good news," replied his grandfather. "Pity we cannot have them employed by the time of this banquet."
"I bet more help in the kitchen and to serve would be a great benefit then, wouldn't it, Anne?" Charles asked.
Anne was hardly listening, but hearing her name, she did her best to focus.
"Pardon?" she asked. "New staff?"
"I think we might be able to hire one or two people to help around Reedley Manor by the end of the year," Charles repeated. "But you could probably use help sooner to help cook and serve the banquet, right?"
"Oh, yes," she agreed. "I can likely manage all the cooking with Peggy's help, but another maid would be helpful. It would make clearing one course and serving the next go more smoothly if we are serving a rather large number of guests that evening.
"I'll talk to Noah and see if he thinks we can manage at least one more person in the immediate budget then discuss a plan for future hiring," Charles decided.
Anne smiled. "You sound so knowledgeable and businesslike," she observed. "My little brother, I suppose I should prepare myself to start referring to you as baron."
Charles looked thoughtful.
"I'm not Aunt Sarah," he replied with a shake of his head. "I don't ever want anyone who knows me intimately or is a close friend or family member to refer to me as anything other than Charles. Others will only have to address me with a formal title in a formal setting."
Anne and their grandfather both smiled at Charles.
"You've grown up to be such a good man," Jeremy said. "You remind me of your father."
Charles smiled proudly.
Anne was proud of her brother, too.
When the meal was over, their grandfather elected to drive the carriage into town to check in on a few of the shop owners.
"I'll drive you, Grandfather," Charles offered. "It would be good for me to get to know everyone as well as you do. If we have time, maybe we can visit with a few farmers, too."
Jeremy was pleased by his grandson's newfound enthusiasm and said, "We'll see what we can fit in, but you are more than welcome to join me. Would you like to join us, Anne? We can invite the Duke as well?"
"No, thank you. I have plenty to do here, but you two enjoy your afternoon," she replied.
"Very well," replied Jeremy.
Anne and Peggy cleared the table. As they finished, the Duke returned from his walk.
"Did you enjoy your walk?" Anne asked.
"Yes, though I think that is more than enough for today. I feel like I need a bit of a rest now," he replied.
"Of course," Anne agreed then she asked, "Why didn't you join Charles and Grandfather on their trip into town?"
The Duke hesitated then said, "Well, once we were there, I would have had to walk around or remain in the carriage for the duration. As I said, I have walked enough for today, but I would not enjoy sitting by as they went about. Furthermore, it invites a lot of conversation that I am not prepared for, so my presence would only slow their progress."
"Yes," Anne agreed.
She wanted to ask if he would rather rest in the parlor, but she knew that it was unseemly with both her brother and grandfather out of the house and only Peggy to monitor them.
Instead, she said, "Well, I hope your leg recovers from your exercise in time to join us for dinner, Your Grace."
