Page 39 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"He gets along with your family well, and we don't have many visitors of rank to Reedley," the maid continued softly.
She set the basket down and sat at the kitchen table across from Anne.
"Now that it has come up, what do you think?" Peggy asked. "If I am not overstepping…"
"No, not at all. My mother is gone, and there are not many other women I could speak to about such matters," Anne said. "Everything you have said is true."
"So, a match would be practical if possible. What do you feel? What do you think he feels?" Peggy asked.
"I suppose he might be as caught off guard by the idea as I am. It is hard to think further than that. It is just an idea," Anne said as much to herself as to Peggy. "He does have to return to London or continue his business trip. I imagine there is not much to think about. Courting, falling in love — all that takes time."
"Sometimes it happens more quickly than you think," suggested Peggy, rising from the table. "He is probably waiting for you to begin your walk. I will check on you shortly."
"Yes," Anne agreed, taking the basket and slowly walking toward the back door to the garden.
The Duke was waiting, and Anne could see his expression was similarly thoughtful as her own. However, his countenance brightened at the sight of her.
When he smiles at me that way, it is hard not to think he feels something and wonder how strong these feelings are within me.
"Before we start, should we talk?" he asked.
Will he profess his feelings now? Or ask me of my feelings for him?Anne wondered.After this morning, he wants to talk. Oh, dear.
"If you like, Your Grace," Anne said, unsure what else to say.
"Good," replied the Duke. "Now, well, um. I've never felt so poorly able to articulate my thoughts. In truth, my thoughts have also never felt so scattered."
Except for the loudening thought at the forefront that the idea of courting you, now that it has been presented that seems where my heart might have been trying to lead me for some time,he considered.
"Likewise," agreed Anne.
Though discussing things was his idea, Noah felt nervous and unsure where to begin.
"You look lovely," he said.
"Thank you, Your Grace," Anne replied.
"You're welcome."
After an awkward silence, Anne said, "I believe you wanted to speak with me before our walk?"
"Oh, yes. I feel this morning presents need for some conversation between us," he observed.
"Yes," agreed Anne. "Grandfather has given new perspective on our afternoons together.
"Yes, and as an unmarried man and woman of marriageable age, a chaperone does seem pertinent," he stated.
"It seems we have always been under Peggy's observation, even before it was brought to our attention," Anne noted, sharing the information she had learned.
"Good. She seems a good choice in the absence of a female relative or friend when your grandfather is occupied," he said.
"Yes," Anne agreed.
"Neither of our reputations would fare well if there were talk," he continued.
His green eyes darted about, and Anne wondered if their conversation or her grandfather's comments had made the Duke feel stressed. Then, his focus settled on her again, and he seemed to calm once more. She felt warm. She was unsure if it was the afternoon sun shining upon her or because of the change in the Duke's gaze.
"And it is better we give them nothing to talk about," declared Anne. "There is nothing to talk about, is there, Your Grace?"
