Page 72 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"Anne," Noah said once more, but she only shook her head as she turned to walk away.
Having seen Anne rush outside and the Duke follow, Jeremy had come to the door and seen the entire scene play out. When Noah made to speak, the older gentleman only sighed and turned away.
He found Charles and whispered, "Your sister is not feeling well. Please, drive her back home in the carriage. I will remain to finish the party and have someone bring me later."
"What's wrong?" Charles asked.
"Just do as I ask," his grandfather said gently.
As Charles left to find Anne, he noticed the Duke looked poor, worse than when he first arrived at their home injured in the night.
"Oh," he said, realizing something must have happened between the Duke and his sister.
He cared for the Duke as a dear friend and almost like a brother, but Anne was his sister. She had cared for him and been there in a way that couldn't be compared.
When he stepped into the cool night air, Charles paused and looked in all directions and saw the figure of a well-dressed woman walking not far from the assembly.
He ran to her and called, "Anne."
When he caught up to her, Charles could see that she looked exhausted from crying.
"I won't ask any questions or offer words of comfort because I don't know the first thing to say," he admitted. "But please wait here. I will get the carriage and drive you home. Then, I will sit with you until you fall asleep, just like you used to do for me when we were kids, all those times I woke up because I missed mom and dad."
She smiled weakly. "Thank you, Charles."
He nodded then he rushed back to the assembly and brought their carriage back to Anne.
He helped her into a seat, drove home, and helped her into the house. When she cried softly, he held her. When the tears would pause briefly, he would offer her tea or spirits. When she wouldn't respond, he would fetch her things anyway and apologize for not preparing things as well as she did.
When it got particularly late and they heard more horses coming to the house, he said, "Would you like me to help you to your room before anyone comes in."
"Yes, please," Anne agreed. "And, you don't have to stay with me. I don't think I will get much sleep."
"I don't mind," said Charles.
"I know, but you should rest yourself. It's late," she declared.
Charles helped Anne to her room and left a cup of tea and a glass of sherry by her bed in case she wanted either. Then, he slipped out and closed the door just as the front door was opening downstairs.
Loud, hurried footsteps sounded as Noah made his way upstairs, meeting Charles.
"Can I speak to her?" he asked.
"I don't know what happened between you two, but I think right now it's best you leave her alone," Charles said, standing in front of Anne's door.
Noah's head and shoulders lowered. He had not cried as Anne had, but he was visibly distraught. Charles could see it.
"Why don't we go downstairs for a glass of brandy, and maybe you can give me some insight into things," Charles suggested, placing a hand on the Duke's shoulder and leading him back downstairs.
Diana reached the top of the stairs and passed them.
As she did, she said, "I did the considerable and respectful thing, brother. A kindness really to spare her worse heartbreak."
"Don't speak to me," Noah said in a low tone as he sulked his way downstairs with Charles.
As Charles and Noah talked downstairs, Anne lay upstairs in her bed. It was hard not to keep replaying the end of the night in her head. She also kept thinking of Diana being in her room the night before.
"I can see you and my brother have grown close, and you seem very fond of him," Diana had said. "But I hate to see what he is doing to you, leading you on."
