Page 36 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
That's what I would have wanted when he first arrived, but he almost seems a different man,Anne thought.Now, I almost don't want him to leave.
CHAPTER 10
"We need to invite Esther and Judith to tea one afternoon, so we can begin proper preparations for the banquet in His Grace's honor," Anne said over breakfast the following morning.
The men had been zealously discussing the tracks Noah had seen on his walk with Anne and what sort of fish he might catch in the pond, but it all came to a halt when Anne mentioned the neighbors.
"I was hoping you ladies would just tell us a date and time," replied Jeremy. "Then, we would be shaved, coiffed, and lightly with drink to be pleasant conversation for the evening."
"That is well enough, but prior to your absence from the actual preparation, I thought it might be good for you all to join the ladies and myself for tea," Anne argued. "I need help politely limiting their contributions to the meal, and I am sure you do not want them to dictate seating or games and dancing after dinner."
"Perhaps I should insist my ankle is not well enough to dance," considered the Duke with a weak laugh.
Although, that would mean missing the opportunity to dance with Miss Drowton,he thought with disappointment as the suggestion left his lips.
"By now, half the town knows you are at least able to walk about the yards. Esther and Judith don't miss anything," replied Charles.
"And they will each likely want to dance with you," teased Jeremy.
Charles looked thoughtful then said, "Well, you might get lucky. Esther will likely dance with her husband, so maybe you will only have to dance a turn or two with Judith."
"I'm sure there will be other ladies eager to dance with His Grace, the Duke of Grandon as well," observed Anne. "But you could join the men in games after a dance or two. Surely, word has spread about your leg and ankle, so I don't imagine people expect you to carry on dancing all night. But playing cards or other amusements would be suitable and still allow people the opportunity to see and speak with you."
"Very well, but I prefer not to be seated immediately next to Esther or Judith," Noah said. "I would like to eat or not eat as I choose without their encouragements."
"As host, you will likely sit to my right," Anne decided, looking at the Duke.
"That's a good start," he said.
They each smiled at the thought.
"Esther and Judith will want to be near you, but it will make them feel important to sit in a lady's place of honor to my right," Jeremy suggested, thinking out loud. "Since they cannot both have the chair and we try to seat by gender, I shall place Esther nearest me, as she will be the most vocal about also having a hand in the affair. Then, her husband, Lawrence Hughes next. Judith can either sit beside them or on the chair on the opposite side of me."
"Excellent," replied the Duke.
"That would put Judith beside me," Charles said disappointedly.
His grandfather made a face to quiet his complaint.
"Will Judith's husband not be in attendance?" the Duke asked.
"There is no husband to attend as Judith Jones never married. She moved in with Esther and Lawrence when Mr. and Mrs. Jones passed," explained the Baron. "Sorry we didn't explain sooner, Grandon."
Before the Duke could respond, Charles spoke again. He was still thinking about his situation of sitting beside Judith for the banquet.
"It is only one night," he decided. "I can listen to the latest on gossip and apply anything useful to overseeing Reedley."
"There you go, Charles," the Baron replied with a pleased nod. "And those young legs of yours can keep some of the ladies busy dancing if the Duke is imposed upon."
"Yes, Grandfather," Charles said somewhat less enthusiastically. "Though you know, I am more for games, myself. Perhaps Anne will dance with him? You know as hostess, it would be odd if you two didn't take a round about the room at least once."
"I was going to ask if I might be the first name on your card," the Duke interjected, looking at Anne directly.
His green eyes met her brown eyes, and Anne believed she saw a glint of something.
"Of course, Your Grace," she replied. "And we could dance again later in the evening if your leg feels strong enough."
The Duke smiled.
