Page 68 of A Spinster to Heal the Duke
"Quite clear," Diana replied, looking shocked and displeased.
"Furthermore, this ‘country woman' is the granddaughter of a baron, a man of rank himself, not that it matters. More importantly, she is a good woman, and my choosing to spend time with her only concerns you as you should treat her and her family with better respect and consideration than you have shown."
Diana stared at her brother. She looked Noah up and down.
Finally, she said, "You are right. I will be kinder."
When they returned to the blanket, Diana did seem to improve her temperament.
"I apologize for my previous behavior. Charles, it is very interesting, all you know about bees and other things. Anne, your food has been delicious, and I would love to get the recipe for the muffins you packed in the picnic basket to London. Ithink they would be a delight to serve our friends in London at tea."
"That would be no trouble at all," Anne replied, smiling.
Diana smiled as well, and it seemed the most relaxed smile they had seen on her face since the young woman's arrival. She was the most pleasant and polite she had been for the rest of the day, even throughout the evening meal and socializing after.
However, Anne was surprised to have Diana come to her room when everyone retired that evening, looking equally distraught.
"May I speak with you privately? Out of respect and consideration, I must tell you something that might upset you. But I promise, I do it out of kindness."
CHAPTER 19
"I'm sorry to wake you early, Peggy, but I want to leave with everything we need to take to the assembly as early as possible," Anne said to the maid.
"It is no trouble, Miss," replied Peggy. "It is better for us to start early, so we have time for mistakes and things to be corrected than to start late and be overwhelmed."
"The biggest mistakes have already been made," observed Anne. "But it will be okay. We will get through today then tomorrow and each day going forward."
"What happened, Miss?" Peggy asked with concern. "Did we forget to order something or did that Lady Diana request some last-minute change?"
"No, nothing quite like that, but some things have certainly changed. No bother now. Let's just pack up what we need thenwhen we are nearly ready, we can send Charles to prepare the carriage and drive us," said Anne.
"Yes, Miss," replied Peggy.
She eyed her mistress with concern but did as she was told. Anne moved quickly, deliberately, and with focus to keep herself from crying. She was so attuned to what she was doing, she didn't realize Noah had entered the kitchen until she nearly careened into his chest.
She shrieked a little as the dish she had been carrying fell to the floor between them and shattered.
"Did I startle you?" he asked.
"No," she said then she corrected herself and said, "I mean yes. I mean, I'm a little busy now."
"So, you do not have time for a quiet moment together this morning?" he asked, looking disappointed but understanding. "Is there anything I can do to assist you in some way?"
"No," Anne said quickly then in a more even tone she explained, "Peggy and I are nearly done. I need to wake Charles to run all these things to the assembly."
"I could drive you," Noah offered.
"No, thank you. You should stay here and rest. You will need to be at your best this evening," Anne said moving past him. "Peggy, I am going to tell Charles to get ready. Please, sweep this up for me."
"Yes, Miss," Peggy replied.
"All right, then," said Noah, seeming uncertain how to fill the time he normally spent alone with Anne sharing a sample of the morning meal.
"Thank you," Anne replied.
"I'd like an extra dance on your card," the Duke said jokingly, but Anne only continued to hurry out of the room.
"Is everything all right this morning?" he asked the maid. "I know there is a lot to do, but she seems different, distracted."
