Page 50 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
Anne smiled at him and said, "For now, I need to join Peggy in the kitchen. We must prepare the meal for tonight."
"I suppose you find the energy out of necessity," considered the Baron. "While good intentioned, those ladies are exhausting. I would have no qualm if you made something simple so that we may all call it a night."
Jeremy tugged at his grandson, and Charles said, "I agree. At this point, I could top off a little and be ready for bed soon."
"Some meats and cheeses with a few vegetables would do. A bit of port or brandy would be good, or we could have wine with dinner," the Baron suggested.
"Red wine with thinly cut beef roasted with asparagus, young potatoes, all seasoned with rosemary and fennel, and a few dinner rolls with sweet butter and sliced fruit. How does that sound?"
"Perfect," said Jeremy.
"Delicious," uttered the Duke.
"Yes," Charles said, leading the way out of the room. "Let's start the wine now, please."
"Agreed," all the men said unanimously.
Anne laughed at them.
"They were not so terrible," she teased. "Really, you all are like children craving candies for good behavior with your elders.
"I'll take a confectionary treat with my wine," remarked Charles, sparking laughter from everyone once more.
When the meal was served, there was some light conversation, but everyone steered clear of the topics of the tea that afternoon or the banquet to be held.
Then, they all retired to the parlor. The Duke drank a little brandy, the Baron smoked his pipe, Anne worked on a cross-stitch she had been sewing, and Charles sat at the card table. He shuffled the cards and flipped them aimlessly.
"It is nice to enjoy a bit of quiet. I think my nerves are settled, and I can get some rest now," Jeremy said.
"You, who have hoped and dreamed for Reedley Manor and the Reedley name to see its former glory of banquets, parties, and gatherings, want peace and quiet?" asked Anne.
"Yes," said Jeremy. "One increases the value of the other. Having both gives a man balance."
"Well said," agreed the Duke. "It is something I feel I learned later than I should."
"A valuable lesson at any age," said Anne.
"Well, if talk is moving to lessons, I shall call it a night. My mental energy is depleted for this day, but I shall be ready for my usual tutelage from you tomorrow, Grandon," observed Charles, putting the cards away and standing.
"Rest well," replied the Duke.
"I shall call it a night, too," said Jeremy, following his grandson.
Anne was about to stand and leave the room, but the Duke caught her eye. He gestured with his head, and she believed he wanted her to remain.
When her brother and grandfather left the room, she asked, "Did you want to speak with me, Your Grace."
"I hoped that you might sit with me longer, but now, I want to express a mild irritation," he said.
"With me?" asked Anne. "What have I done?"
"It is not what you have done but what you do not do," the Duke grumbled, rising and walking the room with visible irritation.
"I have not meant to offend you," said Anne. "Please, tell me what I have done so that I might correct it."
"As I said, it is what you choose not to do. You still address me so formally. Everything you say is 'Your Grace'," he explained, speaking as much with his hands as his words.
"This is unlike you. You seem to care strongly about this," Anne said.
