Page 9 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"Sorry, Your Grace," the maid said, stepping back.
"Please, tell your mistress I do not wish to be disturbed until I return downstairs, not even for lunch or tea. I just wish to be left alone."
"Very well, Your Grace," the maid replied meekly.
"I outrank your mistress and everyone else in this house, so obey my instruction. I should not like to see you again to offer lunch or tea; am I clear?" he asked, looking at the young woman sternly. "If she or the Baron himself sends you, you can repeat my words to them. I do not wish to be disturbed."
When he continued his stride upstairs, the young woman returned to her mistress at once.
"Miss, the Duke, he says he does not wish to be disturbed any further today — not for lunch, tea, or anything — until he comes back down," she said nervously. "If I am commanded by anyone, even the Baron, to go to him for lunch or tea, I am to tell them he does not wish to be disturbed. Speaking plainly, he said he outranks everyone here."
The nerve of this man,Anne thought.
Then, she looked at Peggy, hesitantly awaiting some sort of response.
The poor thing. She is unaccustomed to such rudeness,Anne reminded herself.We all are.
"Peggy," Anne said gently, "do not allow the Duke of Grandon to upset you. Some have wealth, power, and title but not the manners that make someone a gentleman. It takes more than being nobility to instill some things. Keep your chin up. Perhaps take a small break with a cup of tea before we begin lunch. I shall check on His Grace to see if we have offended his sensibilities in some way so that the rest of the day might be better."
"Thank you, Miss," Peggy said with a small smile before hurrying to the kitchen.
Anne squared her shoulders and straightened her back before climbing the stairs and knocking on the Duke's bedroom door.
"I said I do not wish to be disturbed," he called.
"Neither do I, but in a different way, I suppose," Anne responded, opening the door.
"I did not permit you entry," the Duke said.
"Which is why I did not enter. I have only made it, so we can look each other in the eye. You declined breakfast, and I understandyou do not wish to join us for lunch when it is served either?" she asked calmly.
"That is correct," the Duke said. "And as it seems you have but one maid for the whole staff, I can assume all who need to know that I do not wish to be disturbed have been informed. Though, perhaps I should reiterate that point."
He glared at Anne, and she felt a momentary sting then annoyance swept over her, and she glared back.
The Duke's expression changed, caught off guard.
"Very well, you have missed breakfast and will not be offered lunch when it is served. I do ask that you treat our staff, whether you encounter one or one hundred, with a bit more courtesy," Anne said firmly. "I understand you are likely not yourself, injured and surrounded by strangers in a strange place, but you could be civil. Nobility or not, a gentleman should always be a gentleman, Your Grace."
"Ha," the Duke huffed loudly. "Imagine, the granddaughter of the lowest ranking peerage, raised in the country away from societal practice, daring to correct me, Duke of Grandon. Do you really think you can speak on such matters?
"I believe I can speak on how guests should treat people in my home," Anne replied. "I can speak on basic human decency which is the foundation of the decorum nobility stands on.
"Your home falls under my domain. Your home hardly has a leg to stand on. Your rank and peerage dangle from a thread before it dies with you and your brother," the Duke declared, taking a step toward the young woman with each sentence until the only thing between them was the swing of the door. "As far as human decency and decorum goes, I assure you, that is only the bare minimum, and your household could use a lesson as well."
When there was nothing left to be said between them, Anne pardoned herself for the disturbance. Noah Campbell, the Duke of Grandon occupied himself in his bedroom for the rest of the day.
When the time came for dinner, Anne felt tempted not to bother offering.
He's only going to say no,she thought.Still, the proper thing to do is offer. The even more proper thing to do on his end is to be a gracious guest and accept the meal even if he doesn't enjoy it. Eat enough to get by then say, "I'm so full. I simply couldn't eat another bite."
"Should I let the gentleman know dinner is served, Miss?" Peggy asked.
"Yes, please," replied Anne. "At Reedley Manor, we have the good manners to always extend grace and serve our guests.
Peggy nodded and followed Anne's instructions. Anne followed and stood at the foot of the stairs, so she could listen and see if her words had any impact on Noah Campbell, Duke of Grandon.
"Please, thank your mistress, but I do not wish to attend diner," he said in strained politeness, but for Anne, this was not enough.
