Page 6 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"I was not curt," Anne insisted as she continued down the hall to where their rooms were.
"You were right sodded," Charles argued loudly. Catching himself, he whispered, "Oops, but you were."
"No," Anne said, shaking her head and wondering if she had mistreated the Duke in some way. "If anything, he was rude to us, acting so entitled and better than. I have a low tolerance for that.
"True, but what you couldn't stand most was him turning down your food," Charles teased.
Anne made a face and looked at her brother.
"That's not true," she said, her voice rising.
"It is. That reddened your face more than any other impropriety of the night," Charles replied, laughing and teasing his sister openly now.
"Go to bed, Charles," Anne said, shoving her brother and going to her bedroom.
CHAPTER 3
"Your Grace," Anne said gently, knocking on the bedroom door where she and her brother placed the Duke the night before. "Your Grace, are you awake? Are you decent?"
"I am," replied the Duke.
He had slept very little, and assuming there would be no one to help him dress in the morning, he had done little more than remove his remaining boot and shirt for bed. Once the smallest sliver of sunlight came through his window, the Duke had put his shirt back on though he could not suffer the pain of trying to put on his boots.
"Charles has just returned with Dr. Edwards. Would you rather I assist you in returning to the parlor, or shall I send him up here to look over your leg?" Anne asked through the door.
"I believe I am doing much better today, but you may help me down the stairs if that suits you," the Duke replied, opening the door.
Anne stepped back, a little startled, as the door swung open and the gentleman loomed over her.
He's so tall,she thought, looking up to him before looking down and away just as quickly.He's also rather pale, even in the morning light. Last night,I thought it was because of his distressed state, but he looks like traveling has taken a toll on him.
She cleared her throat and said, "For as long as you are in my home, I am at your service, Your Grace."
With a nod, the Duke rested an arm over Anne's shoulders. Then, at a modest pace, they made their way down the hall, down the stairs, and to the parlor. The ottoman was set in front of the sofa the way he had asked it to be before, but this time, Dr. Edwards stood nearby.
As they entered the room, Anne introduced the two men.
"His Grace, Noah Campbell, Duke of Grandon. Your Grace, this is Dr. Philias Edwards, the best physician in Reedley," she declared. "Dr. Edwards, our guest injured his left leg. I cleaned and bandaged his wounds to the best of my ability, but I think you should inspect him further."
"Thank you, but I can speak for myself to tell the doctor what I need," the Duke said, taking a seat on the couch and propping his leg on the ottoman.
Charles stood in the room near the card table but deemed it best to be silent unless spoken to.
"Very well," Anne replied. "Please, speak."
She removed herself to the card table as well but sat down and did her best to look anywhere but the doctor and the Duke. Charles, following his sister's example, sat down as well.
He whispered, "Fancy a game of Spillikins or Commerce?"
"No, thank you," Anne replied a little less quietly.
Charles frowned.
He pulled out the deck of cards and fumbled with them, mixing them to entertain or distract himself. He wasn't entirely sure which.
Across the room, Dr. Edwards rolled up the Duke's pantleg. The Duke's leg was less sensitive to touch now, having been bandaged.
"You did a very good job, Miss Drowton," Dr. Edwards acknowledged.
