Page 64 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"Oh, well, shall we?" Diana said, changing directions and returning to the dining area to be served.
"Good morning, Lady Diana," Anne greeted politely. "I trust you slept well?"
"Well enough," Diana responded curtly. "Did you prepare coffee with whatever else you have prepared for this morning? For breakfast, I prefer to simply have a bit of coffee and a little cake."
"Yes, there is coffee and cream and sugar if you wish," replied Anne.
"Good," said Lady Diana .
Overhearing, Peggy quickly brough coffee for the lady though Diana only added sugar.
Everyone else ate heartily of meats, cheeses, toast, muffins, and cakes. Lady Diana stuck to her word and ate only a small piece of madeira cake with a bit of fruit preserve.
She clearly enjoys the food. I wonder why she is being so restrained this morning,Anne thought.
Anne watched as everyone else ate their fill while Diana pretended to be disinterested in having anything more.
Each time she says no, her gaze falls back on the nut and berry muffins,Anne thought.Perhaps I could set aside a few to offer again at lunch.
At almost the moment Anne had the thought, Jeremy said, "I will be going out today after breakfast. I'm sure Esther and Judith have learned we have another ranking guest. Before they come to introduce themselves or wish to make merry withanother event, I think it best to make a friendly visit to Esher's husband, Lawrence. I can bring it into conversation, so they can politely tell me how they hate to go by gossip but had heard about a young woman with us yesterday."
"Would you like company, Grandfather?" Anne and Charles asked.
"No, it is a lovely day. The four of you enjoy it. Play cards, read, have a picnic," Jeremy encouraged.
"A picnic sounds nice," said Noah, looking at Anne. "We could take a basket on our afternoon walk. Start a little earlier and spend the afternoon in some of the flower gardens."
"That would be lovely," agreed Anne.
"You say ‘our afternoon walk' as though it is something you do all the time, brother," Diana said with a chuckle.
"Oh, Anne and Grandon walk together every afternoon," Charles observed, spreading jam over another muffin and having a bite of cheese. "Sometimes they are gone for two or three hours, just walking about the property."
"It is part of the physician's recovery instruction," Noah explained, looking at Charles with slight frustration. "I am supposed to walk a little more each day to progress strengthening my ankle. At first, I could hardly trek half an hour. And Anne and I didn't start out walking together. When wedid, she was mostly showing me the grounds, and I would carry things to the house for her."
"You needn't explain yourself to me, Your Grace," Diana said curtly, sipping the last of her coffee and pouring more. "I shall join you two this afternoon. I suppose I have nothing better to amuse myself with, and I have missed you so."
"I'm sure you have," Noah replied, eyeing his sister.
"I shall come, too, so pack plenty, Anna," decided Charles, somehow unaware of the tension in the room.
Jeremy cleared his throat and said, "Well, it sounds like the four of you should have an interesting time."
"Indeed," Diana agreed.
She forced her smile once more and looked from her brother to Anne and back again. Then, she looked at Charles, who was chipper as he finished his muffin and moved on to a slice of pork. Diana rolled her eyes and set her coffee cup down once more without drinking.
"Is something wrong?" Anne asked politely.
"What? Oh, no. I just decided I'd rather not have a second cup," Diana said distractedly. "I'm going to change for our walk and picnic. Call for me when it is time to leave."
"Very well," said Anne.
Once Diana was out of the room, Anne noted, "I do not think we are making a very good impression on your sister."
"Her opinion hardly matters to me," said Noah.
"Of course, it does," disagreed Anne.
