Page 32 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
He felt a weight he didn't realize he carried lift a little.
He explained, "I'm not sure what I said wrong yesterday, but I want you to know that I am making the effort to do well today."
"You did nothing wrong," Anne replied. "Yesterday I was a silly girl having silly, childish feelings."
"I assure you, you and your feelings are anything but silly to me," the Duke stated.
"Thank you, Your Grace," Anne replied.
They looked at one another for what seemed like a long moment hanging between them then the Duke offered Anne his arm.
"Shall we start our walk?" he asked. "Show me your favorite places on Reedley grounds."
Anne accepted his arm.
She asked, "Did you know we have a pond?"
"I did not," the Duke replied.
"Then, that is what I shall show you today. It is a beautiful spot. We can work our way to my favorite place over the next few days if Your Grace feels up to it."
"I do," the Duke replied though he wondered why she still referred to him so formally.
I thought she had been joking when she said she would still call me Your Grace, but she has yet to cease with these proper greetings and addresses.
But he continued their stroll, enjoying the light pressure of her small hand upon his arm.
She has such a delicate touch for someone who works so much around the home. She plays so many roles, but Anne Drowton, Granddaughter of the Baron of Reedley is most certainly a lady,he noted to himself.
As they walked, Anne talked some about the bushes, trees, flowers, plants, and vegetables they passed.
"We've planted rhododendrons near several trees along the walking paths. They do well with the filtered light of the treetops and add nice bursts of color," she pointed out. "I'm partial to the butterfly bushes though I hate pruning them in the spring."
"I imagine caring for all the plant life can be daunting, remember what light it all needs, when to plant, how they winter," the Duke commented.
"I suppose it could, but it doesn't feel that way to those who enjoy it," Anne replied. "I suppose when I was learning, I'd get a bit frustrated with planting the vegetable garden. Some seeds look so similar and remembering what I should plant in early spring or summer was a challenge."
"Perhaps you care for flowers more," the Duke suggested.
"Maybe, but I have certainly improved my gardening skills all around as my love of cooking has grown. It makes a difference in the flavors, colors, and aromas I can include to brighten a dish," Anne said with a smile.
"Then, I shall suggest my chef at home spend more time assisting the gardener," the Duke decided.
When they neared the stalls and the fields, Anne introduced the animals that had names and spoke less of the ones that didn't, but mostly, she smelled her flowers.
"This mother cow is Lilly," she said, petting a large milking shorthorn. "Her milk is the sweetest. I'm not sure why. I think it is her disposition. The other cows are not as friendly as she is, are they girl?" she jokingly asked the cow as she stroked its snout with her free hand. She smelled her flowers once more then she tilted them toward the cow.
Anne had to pull them back and tell the cow, "Not for you," when Lilly attempted to nibble one of the flowers.
She told the Duke of the history of the property, and he listened politely. He asked questions when it was appropriate and made observations and suggestions.
"One would not guess so many things were grown here on the grounds of the manor. I feel I should walk around the property with your brother and his ledger. If you sold what you did not need to live on, he could cover the wages of a gardener or two to tend all of this and still turn a greater profit at the market," he observed.
"I suppose a lot is wasted each year with what we cannot collect ourselves," Anne replied thoughtfully. "In apples alone, we lose countless bushels every season. We could also arrange a contract with the florist. Not many people in the area have the success with some of the more challenging plants that Peggy and I have."
"It really is money down the drain," Noah said. "Years worth."
Anne frowned. This felt like a failure she could have noticed and pointed out to Charles.
