Page 62 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
Then, seeming to smile more boldly and disingenuously, she looked at Anne and said, "Miss Drowton, it appears I am the one who must compliment your taste, for I coveted your dress."
"I took you admiring it as a great compliment," Anne replied politely.
For the duration of the afternoon Lady Diana hardly spoke another word.
CHAPTER 17
"Iam so glad you are already in the kitchen, Peggy," Anne said. "Allowing Lady Diana time to rest before joining us gave us a bit of a late start, but Charles' distraction with showing her ‘the best of Reedley' slowed us down even further. I don't even think she cared."
"A lady like that doesn't seem to be impressed by much," replied the maid. "Forgive me for listening a little bit when she got here, but I don't know that many good people would be impressed by her either. I mean, I know she has rank and all, but she doesn't seem very nice."
"I agree, but we must not gossip or form our opinions over what might be one bad day," said Anne as she tied her apron around her waist. "Noah did say that she is a little spoiled, but she was even younger than he was when their parents passed. I don't know what relationship her parents had with her, but I'm sure that loss and his duties keeping him away at times are the larger part of her being the person we met today. Finishing schoolsonly finish what is started in my opinion, and we cannot speak on her start."
"That is very compassionate of you," replied the maid.
"Well, it is all hindsight," Anne admitted. "I am so fond of Noah, and we did not get along immediately. However, now, I don't believe I know a finer man. Surely, despite our differences, Lady Diana must be as good, too. I am determined to see her as such until life shows me otherwise. Being a little spoiled is not such a terrible thing and not uncommon for those of rank either. Look at Aunt Sarah. Forgive me, Viscountess Sarah Turner of Weston."
Anne and Peggy shared a look. Then, they began thinking of a meal they could prepare quickly that would meet the standards of Lady Diana Campbell, sister of the Duke of Grandon.
"I only have your assistance briefly because Lady Diana requested your help dressing for dinner when I showed her to her room," Anne said. "Better to have you go to her in a timely manner rather than she need call for you and wait because you are helping here."
"Yes, Miss," replied Peggy.
When the table was set, Anne instructed Peggy to gather everyone for the meal. Lady Diana was in her room resting, and the three men were in the parlor for a game of whist. Their now usual modified seating arrangement was modified again only slightly by an additional chair on Jeremy's right, seating LadyDiana between him and his grandson, Charles, whose curiosity with the young lady seemed to only be growing the longer she stayed.
"I will say, whatever your cook has prepared smells appetizing," said Diana. "Hopefully, like looks, smells are not deceiving."
"I can assure you that you will be quite pleased with the meal," said Noah, smiling at Anne. "The woman who prepares the food at Reedley Manor is far better than any who have worked at Grandon in years."
"Well, then I would say we should tempt her to return to London with us, but I know your palette is rather distinct. I might not be as impressed as you are, despite the fragrance," replied Lady Diana.
She hoped to irritate her brother by bringing up his unusual food proclivities, but she noticed he was still looking at Anne.
He did not even seem to hear her as he only responded "Hmm."
Normally, a comment like she had made would at least warrant a stern look as he said her name.
Lady Diana looked at Anne and noticed she had a similar look and smile, but before she could speak, the maid entered with the first remove. She watched as each item was placed at the table and was surprised that each item was beautifully plated and garnished, appearing to be as appetizing as it smelled.
Jeremy said, "I hope your first venture into Reedley was not traumatizing," as Lady Diana was served a portion of button soup.
"It went as expected," the Lady replied, neither giving a pleasant or negative detail to support her comment. Instead, she eyed her soup and said, "This is not white soup. A little unsophisticated to serve a duke something other than white soup during this portion of the meal."
"I have had white soup during my stay, and it was more delicious than any I had been served in London," noted Noah, eating a spoonful of the soup in front of him happily.
"This is Soup à la Reine" Anne explained. "It isawhite soup, but it is not what people traditionally associate with white soup. They have their similarities, so perhaps you will still enjoy it."
Daina tasted it, determined to find cause for complaint, but there was nothing.
"It is delicate yet still rich," she acknowledged eating another spoonful. "But any cook can prepare soup: a few quality vegetables and stocks simmer together, and people are supposed to be impressed."
Though her words were dismissive, her eyes were wide and roving the other items at the table, waiting to be tasted.
She asked, "The fish there, how is that prepared? What's in it?"
Anne looked where Lady Diana gestured at the table and said, "That is stuffed plaice. The stuffing is breadcrumbs, oysters, mushrooms and herbs. It is basted with a honey, butter, and garlic mixture periodically while it bakes."
Lady Diana appeared to raise a pleased eyebrow.
