Page 37 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"Arrange the tea, and we will join you. Host the banquet, and I will be gracious and sociable," he declared.
"Thank you," replied Anne. "I will have Peggy carry a letter to Esther and Judith this afternoon to have tea at the end of the week. Grandfather, Charles, please make yourselves available."
"Gladly," replied the Baron.
"Fine," said Charles, resuming dining.
"Grandon, are there any particular songs or games for festivities in fashion in London we might have missed recently?" asked the Baron.
"I don't think much has changed in music or dance in several years," replied the Duke. "Charades and Conundrums are still popular. You could set aside a room or space for a little gambling, but general card games are always entertaining."
"Are you a gambling man?" the Baron asked.
"No, I am not one to bet on such chance-able things. Even the most skilled players are at the mercy of the hand they are dealt," observed the Duke. "Why, were you hoping for a friendly wager?"
"No, I have never been one for gambling either," replied Jeremy.
"Grandfather does enjoy the games though. He used to play cards of all sorts with us when we were young. Even now, he will pass an hour or two on a rainy afternoon at the card table with us," said Charles.
"Both of you?" asked the Duke. "You play as well, Anne?"
"I picked up Casino and Whist at finishing school," Anne replied. "Grandfather taught me Hazard, Baccarat, and a few other games."
"Fascinating," noted that Duke with a smile. "I know ladies participate in such games more now, but I know very few who are willing to join the table. If you play, I say you are welcome at my table, and do your best to win. I have no patience for ninnies who watch from the side, giggling and breathing in your ear. Meet my eyes across the table, and lay a winning hand."
"I don't know that I will win, but I shall be a good sport. I play my best in all company and always cheer on the winner of the hand," Anne replied.
"Excellent," said the duke.
There was silence, and the Baron observed his granddaughter and the Duke interacting with one another.
"Very well," he said. "You two shall have the first dance. Each of you will take another round about the floor with whomever to be polite. Then, I shall beat you both in a game of Grandon's choosing."
"Sounds as though you have it all planned, Grandfather," Anne replied, blushing and looking at the breakfast crescent she had yet to touch.
"I don't, but I am working on it. You just see to the party… banquet… dinner," the older man said.
Anne wasn't entirely certain what the Baron meant, but she said, "Very well then. It sounds like the evening should run smoothly.
"Will you two be going for another walk this afternoon?" asked Jeremy, changing the conversation.
"Yes," answered Noah, looking at Anne for reassurance. When she smiled, he continued to say, "I hoped to view some of the larger flower gardens of the property. The arrangements about the manor are lovely. I hoped to see what else was growing."
"That sounds excellent," replied Jeremy. "Has she shown you our pond yet?"
"Yesterday," answered the Duke. "Reedley, we shall have to go fishing, but may I have your permission to use a small boat or canoe to take your granddaughter out on the water one afternoon?"
The Baron of Reedley nearly choked on a piece of meat. With a wrap of his fist, the older gentleman managed to clear his throat.
"Of course," he said with a cough. "I think that is a wonderful idea though it has been some time since anyone has taken one of our canoes on the water. It might be best that I borrow one, but I could have it here within a day."
"Splendid," said the Duke.
"Yes, splendid indeed," agreed the Baron softly. "Charles, we must eat quickly. I have a few things to see about in town today. Do you have business there as well?"
"Yes, but I was going to go after my lesson with Grandon if that suits you," Charles replied.
"Suits me fine, boy," his grandfather stated, still eating as quickly as he could.
