Page 33 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
Before she could linger on the thought long, the Duke asked, "Is that the pond?"
"Yes," she replied, happy for the change of thought. "It is full of fish if you enjoy fishing, but it is a water garden as well. I'm toldin Reedley's heyday, men and women would picnic around the edge enjoying whatever would splash at the surface, breaking water between whatever was in bloom."
"This is breathtaking…" admired the Duke, "even with the grass and reeds grown up around the edge and the moss on the legs of the benches."
Then, there was a splash in the water.
"Did you see that?" he asked excitedly. "I believe I saw a fish jump. It is a shame I don't know as much about fishing as I do hunting. I would love to know what would swim this pond."
"Charles or Grandfather could probably tell you," Anne said, overlooking his comments about how overgrown the area had become. "They would be happy to take you to the pond and take you fishing in one of the old canoes."
"That would be great," Noah replied. "Or, if they have a small canoe or paddle boat, we could come back. I could paddle us around the pond."
"That would be nice," Anne agreed, surprised by his suggestion.
"Show me more," he said, making his way out of the tall grass. "I'll ask Charles about a scythe if we are going to spend time here at the pond."
"The grass is not that overgrown, and Charles hardly has time to come cut it," she replied, leading the way away from the pond.
"I was offering to do the work myself," the Duke said, following her.
"How would it look for a Duke staying in our home to be put to such menial tasks?" Anne argued ardently.
"I suppose no different that the daughter of a baron serving her home as cook, housekeeper, and everything else you are," he replied nonchalantly.
"Very different," she said. "I am a woman caring for my home."
"And I am a man, offering to help with something while I am here and we are spending time together," he defended. "It seems a reasonable way to repay your hospitality — pitch in and help where I can."
"You can continue to help Charles. That seems to be making a great difference," Anne replied. "Is this because of our conversation yesterday? Now you feel a need to prove something by engaging in physical labor as we do or perhaps you want to appease the offense I took? It is not necessary."
"Of course not," the Duke objected. "It just seemed like a thoughtful gesture. Despite our arguments, I have been enjoying your company. And though I have not articulated it as well as Ishould have, I appreciate the care your family has shown despite my sudden imposition."
I don't understand why she is making such a fuss,the Duke thought, but he felt his temper rising to match Anne's.
Anne looked at the Duke.
If he is sincere, I should not argue with him,she thought.As he explains it, the gesture would be rather considerate of him in many ways.
"Very well, Your Grace. In that case, thank you," she said humbly.
"It is my thanks to you and your family," he assured.
They were each quiet and looked away from each other for a moment. When they looked at one another again, their eyes met and held. Anne felt her breath quicken.
She turned away and took a deep breath.
"If you would still like to walk around, there is a wooded path we can take," Anne suggested taking a new direction.
"I would like that, yes," replied the Duke.
She walked without pausing or looking back, so the Duke adjusted his step to catch her and keep pace.
More calmly, she said, "We have a few sheep and goats and such. Peggy and I can bring a few to the pond. That would ease the amount of work you have to do."
"Very well," he replied, considering her words a compromise.
As they walked the wooded path, Anne's did her best to resume the pleasantness between them she felt her strictness had shattered.
