Page 54 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
He stood and pulled the opposite chair for her, and Anne sat with the Duke.
"I will excuse myself to get a fresh cloth and set the table," offered Peggy, taking the opportunity to give the two a brief moment of privacy.
"I wondered how you would react to my using your Christian name in front of someone," Anne admitted. "I thought better to see with Peggy than someone else."
"When I asked you to call me by my name, I wanted you to do so freely," Noah said.
Anne blushed. "I will," she said.
"Thank you. Now, share this delicious small plate with me, please. It has been prepared by the finest chef I know," Noah suggested.
They shared the sampling then Anne said, "I must return to preparing the meal."
"I imagine your brother and grandfather will be up soon as they retired rather early last night. I will go to the study and read for a little while if I can focus," decided Noah.
"See you breakfast," Anne said, taking the plate.
"See you breakfast," Noah replied.
As he left the room, Peggy returned.
"My timing is improving," she said. "So, something is brewing between you two then?"
"Peggy, I wish I could tell you," said Anne earnestly. "It seems so. That is all I will say for now."
"It's alright, Miss. Your faces when you two are together say plenty," the maid observed. "It is a good match if that is what it becomes."
"Thank you," Anne said with a smile, but as she turned away, she felt a brief pain in her chest.
I am living in a dream,she thought.I want so badly to enjoy it, but I cannot fully until I know his heart. If he returns to London and all that is between us ends, I will be shattered irreparably.
"Are you all right, Miss, or just lost in romantic daydream?" asked Peggy, observing her.
"I don't know, Peggy," Anne replied.
In the Duke's presence, it was hard not to be swayed by his glances across the table at meals or his charm when they talked along their walks. Anne knew without question that with each passing day, she was growing more in love with him.
As the days passed, she also watched him grow still more comfortable with her family and at Reedley Manor.
Noah, Charles, and Grandfather have fallen into step with one another. They seem to enjoy their routines and time with one another just as I enjoy our walks and stolen moments,Anne thought one morning.
They had finished breakfast, and rather than teaching Charles, the three of them were discussing the improved ledgers.
"I believe we can hire more staff than I originally thought," pointed out Charles. "And sooner, too. I think we can afford at least four, and if we place them strategically, we can take on a few more in six months to a year."
"Reedley Manor will see a great turnaround thanks to you. Well done," Noah praised, patting Charles on the back.
"No, thank you for helping me see it all more clearly. A better understanding has made all the difference," said Charles.
"To celebrate, I shall take us all to town," offered Jeremy. "We can spend the afternoon strolling the shops."
"I feel your celebrating will cost us the wages of one person I could hire," Charles said with a laugh.
Jeremy shrugged, "Perhaps we start with three instead of four. I still say we should bring out the carriage and go to town, even if only to be out for the day."
"I could order some of what we will need sent to the assembly for the banquet," Anne suggested. "Charles, you could celebrate by getting a few confections, or you could purchase a nice hat for when you meet with people."
Charles rubbed his chin and thought.
