Page 46 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"Is it for this afternoon? You have time to make it again and let it rise."
"Yes, I might do that," Anne agreed absently.
The two ladies finished preparing the morning meal and brought it to the table without further incident or discussion of anyone's potential budding romance.
However, at the breakfast table, Anne felt she couldn't stop monitoring the behavior of the Duke or the Baron.
The Duke was very attentive to her, even missing or mishearing things others said to him. Each time Anne looked up, he seemed to be looking at her. She could almost feel his gaze like a warm light when he turned toward or away from her then she looked at her grandfather.
He seemed almost happier than normal in a giddy, drunken way. She looked at Charles. Eating, taking turns drinking hot chocolate and coffee, since he had been making more effort to break away from his morning chocolate routine.
"No noticeable difference there,"Anne thought, a little relieved and disappointed at the same time."One less thing to stir my curiosity. Though, I suppose at eighteen, there are still several years before he really need concern himself with a match."
"Are you well this morning?" the Duke asked, breaking Anne's thoughts.
"What?" Anne asked before processing what he had said. "Am I well?"
"Yes," the Duke said.
Does he mean since last night, or is it so obvious that I'm studying each of them?Anne wondered as she tried to figure out how to respond.
"I'm fine, Your Grace. Thank you for asking," replied Anne.
Her grandfather focused his attention on her now as well.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "Grandon is right. You are quiet this morning. You went to bed early last night. Should we have Dr. Edwards come see you or is the issue something of an unmentionable nature."
Anne felt her face grow warm with embarrassment.
"No, Grandfather," she declared. "I assure you I am fine. I just have a few things on my mind this morning. I received an early letter from Esther and Judith. They will join us for tea tomorrow to discuss the particulars of the banquet."
It was true but not the cause of her distraction.
"Very well then, we shall see them tomorrow. I imagine that is reason enough to be in one's thoughts," said Jeremy, content with her answer.
But the Duke still looked at her.
She smiled at him and did her best to act normally. She shifted in her chair a little and straightened her posture. Then, she buttered a piece of the quick bread that was served this morning.
"Do you and Charles still intend to request a bit of Peggy's time in the kitchen this morning?" she asked, changing the subject.
Grandfather's expression changed slightly now.
"Yes, but we will not need her long. If you need her assistance, we should not be more than a few minutes. One half hour at most," Jeremy said.
"No, I do not require her for anything," Anne replied.
"Would you like to take our walk earlier today?" blurted the Duke. "After breakfast?"
Anne considered for a moment that this might be their opportunity to discuss what nearly but did not happen the previous night.
"Yes, that will be fine," she agreed.
The Duke looked pleased, but he didn't say anything further. Anne noticed her grandfather looked content as well. She was most surprised when she saw her brother smile as well.
"Did they speak after I went to bed?" Anne wondered. "No, I heard Grandfather whistling as he went to bed not long after me."
Anne gave up trying to figure each of them out for the moment.
