Page 38 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"Grandfather, you will choke," said Anne.
"Nonsense," replied the Baron. "If I do, there are two strapping young men here to beat my back and chest until anything lodged is loosed."
"Grandfather, you worry me. Slow down," Anne pleaded.
"Very well," Jeremy replied, resting his fork on the side of his plate. "I suppose I have some time."
With a smile, he added, "Your brother and I might return a little late this afternoon, but I can get us sandwiches at the club. You two nuncheon without us."
"Oh, very well then," Anne said, looking at the Duke.
"If it will be just the two of us, perhaps just something small," the Duke suggested. "We could have sandwiches as well and picnic in the garden or return to the pond."
"That would be nice," agreed Anne.
"Peggy can check on the two of you now and again," added the Baron. "It is not as though you two are courting, but since you two are exploring more frequently, we wouldn't want intruding eyes to think more than they should."
This time, the Duke blushed a deep crimson. It rose through his face from chin to cheeks to forehead. The Duke coughed and shifted in his seat.
"Perhaps he is the one chewing too quickly," Jeremy said with a laugh. "Are you well, Grandon?"
"Yes, a bit of something went the wrong way I suppose," the Duke replied.
I had not considered that our strolls and time together might have the appearance of courtship,he thought.Although, I am walking much better, Anne and I should not be alone.
Anne had similar thoughts. Noah looked at her, and her skin flushed red with embarrassment but also excitement.
We are not courting, are we?"she wondered.
They looked at one another and quickly looked away. They ate, sipped tea, wiped their mouths, talked about the first things that came to their minds. Anything but look at one another and ask the question they each wondered.
What are we doing?
The question hung in the air between them as Jeremy and Charles talked for the remainder of breakfast. It plagued the Duke's mind and distracted him as he tried to discuss the finer points of valuing and appraising property to purchase or sell with Charles. Anne reread the same page of her book several times without comprehending a word.
When it was early afternoon and time for their walk and picnic, everything seemed different.
"I feel nervous," Anne admitted to Peggy in the kitchen.
"Why, Miss?" the maid asked, placing everything they had prepared in a small basket with a small bottle of wine and two glasses.
"Before, I was just keeping him company in case he had any difficulties. Now, there are all these other things in my mind. It feels more complicated," Anne explained.
"It should not. From the first walk you two took, I have been discretely monitoring you at your grandfather's request. The only difference is you are aware now," Peggy said.
"You have?" asked Anne.
"Only so if anyone showed up on the property no one could say you two were unattended," the maid said.
"Rightfully so," Anne replied. "I would hate for either of our reputations to be tarnished over something that is nothing. It is no different than if he were to be walking with Charles."
"Shame," the maid said disappointedly.
"Why is it a shame?" Anne asked.
"I apologize for speaking out of turn, Miss Drowton, but he is a nice man, now that we are past initial impressions of him," the maid said hesitantly.
"He is," agreed Anne.
