Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

" I am surprised Grandfather and Charles have still not returned," Anne said, checking the clock on the credenza. As she returned to the kitchen, she continued, "They know I will be serving dinner soon."

"I shall set the table. Then, I will check the stables and see if they perhaps they have just not made it inside yet," suggested Peggy.

"Thank you. I will finish preparing the syllabub and tarts for dessert," Anne said.

Without another word, Peggy left the room. Anne did not realize she was alone and jumped when the Duke's voice came from where she still believed Peggy to be.

"Something smells delectable," he observed. "And do not let my next comment be an offense to your cooking, but I was surprised when I had the thought."

Anne calmed herself but made a face at his comment.

"Surprised?" she asked.

"By now, I know that your food is among the finest under the monarch's rule," he said flatteringly. "But I am used to smelling food and dreading the thought of eating, much less finding the smell appealing. Yours, well, I believe has me salivating."

Anne smiled and laughed in a more relaxed manner.

"Then, allow me to whet your appetite with a small sampling since it appears Charles and Grandfather might be late to the meal," Anne suggested. "Have a seat."

She gestured to the kitchen table, and the Duke sat down.

"I can start you with a sampling of things from the first course and a glass of port. How does that sound?" Anne asked.

"It sounds delicious if you join me," he replied.

"Very well," Anne agreed.

She grabbed a small platter and placed hors d'oeuvre sized portions of things for them to share. Then, she brought them each a small glass of port.

"I would love your thoughts on this one first," she said, pointing to an item on the plate when she set it down.

"What is it?" the Duke asked as she took the seat across from him.

He picked up one of the small, golden-brown pastries and was pleasantly surprised to taste salmon, capers, and a variety of herbs.

"It is a salmon puff pastry with capers, dill, coriander, fennel, and a combination of soft cheeses," Anne explained. "I cream that bit and layer it in the pastry, but I would dare to say that a well-made puff pastry is what makes this a success or failure. If not prepared just right, when it bakes, the whole things feels heavy and takes a bit of a gooey texture."

Noah chewed and nodded understandingly, imagining the alternative to the delicate delight in his hand. It made him think of what would have been served to him in Grandon.

Anne had only barely finished hers before the Duke pointed at the next thing he wanted to try.

"Tell me about this," he said.

They both reached for a piece of the second item, and their fingertips grazed against each other. They paused and let them stay for a moment before they each pulled back.

Noah stared at Anne as she began explaining the sample to him. Her voice lilted with a nervous laughter that was as intriguing as the food.

"This is sliced roast saddle of mutton," Anne said. "It is a simpler meat that can be quite hard to chew, but I believe a lot of that has to do with cutting with or against the filaments and soaking the meat in something acidic and tenderizing before roasting."

The Duke ate a slice and chewed it thoughtfully. It was not the only thing he thought about. He watched Anne pick up a bite delicately and carefully bite it.

"I think this is the best mutton I have had in years. It is so tender; I never would have thought it was from the haunches," he declared.

"Thank you," Anne said.

They each sipped a bit of their port. Anne ate a piece of cheese, and the Duke sampled more, all the while observing her. Likewise, Anne found herself watching him. From time to time, they would look at each other at the same time, and the conversation would become a silent gaze between them.

He continued asking for details about each item. With every explanation and tasting, he praised the food and the woman who had prepared it.

"Your mother passed when you were young, correct? How did you become so talented in culinary art? Before Peggy, was there some wise cook when you arrived at Reedley?" Noah asked.

"No," Anne said with a small shake of her head. "What I know, I either learned from helping my mother in the kitchen or in practice after she passed."

"That is impressive," admired the Duke.

"Is it?" Anne asked. "I don't have anyone to compare my experience to, but my mother loved to cook. I would hear her walk past my door before light, making her way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I would tiptoe down in my nightgown to help."

"That sounds like a sweet memory to hold on to," said Noah.

He listened intently as Anne continued. She opened up to him, and he held on to every word she spoke.

"Those are my dearest memories. She cooked with such love, pouring her heart, all of herself into each meal," Anne observed. "She loved baking treats to share with friends and family or preparing large meals for loved ones."

"Is that why your meals have so much of you in them now?" the Duke asked.

"I don't know that I would say that," Anne blushed. "You could have much of what I cook anywhere in England."

"But it would not be the same as when you make it. The flavors, texture, aroma — everything would be different and inferior," declared the Duke, pouring himself more port and topping off Anne's glass as well.

He looked at her as he did to see if she would decline, but she only smiled. He realized his cheeks were becoming a little sore as he smiled at her as well, and he realized he had been smiling since he joined her in the kitchen.

He lifted her small glass to hand it back to her, and their fingers touched once more, this time somewhat intentionally.

"I think we all have our ways of showing people we care for them and want to take care of them. The best way I have found to do that has always been through food," Anne said thoughtfully. "I love to cook, and I love seeing the people I care about enjoy what I make and being full and nourished. I wish I could have cooked for my mother and father."

"You are such a peculiar and fascinating woman," the Duke said. "But in a way that is uniquely perfect and endearing."

Anne felt her breath catch at the compliment, and she knew that she was blushing, but she didn't mind. She didn't feel a need to run from the emotion he stirred in her.

"Thank you," she said.

"You are very welcome," replied the Duke.

That was uncharacteristic of me, he thought, but well worth her smile.

"I don't know that I have ever cooked anything, not even for myself, much less anyone else," said the Duke.

"I suppose while a woman may cook, even if she has help, it would be unseemly for a man to do so if it were not his profession," Anne considered thoughtfully.

Noah shrugged.

"Even then, he would probably have his start at home first. No one in my family cooked but the cook," he said absently.

"Oh? So, I suppose the Dowager Duchess of Grandon, does not cook often?" Anne asked more as a statement.

"My mother passed years before my father, but no, I have no memory of her cooking or expressing any interest in the goings on of the kitchen," the Duke said thoughtfully.

"I'm sorry," Anne replied sympathetically. "Perhaps you have some other fond memories of her you hold on to."

The Duke furrowed his brow as he thought before shaking his head.

"She was, for all intents and purposes, a good woman, but I remember little about her. She was an attractive redhead; I remember I always thought she was beautiful as a child," Noah said. "I remember when he wasn't instructing me, my father was doting on her — anything and everything she wanted. Then, when she passed, it was like all he had left was grooming me. Lessons, networking, stricter and stricter rules."

"Oh," replied Anne softly. "Well, our memories as children or even as adults with time can add to or remove from what was. I'm sure there are wonderful memories of your family you just haven't thought about in a while. Otherwise, you wouldn't be as good a man as you are today, Your Grace."

The Duke thought and then said, "You know, I suppose it was just as often that the things my mother asked of my father weren't for her. Often her requests were for me or my father — for our benefit."

"That's thoughtful," Anne replied brightening.

"And she was pretty sentimental," Noah continued, still in thought. "When Father was finally ready to put her things away, we found that she had lots of silly things I had given her as a child nestled in her drawers and books with letters Father had written her when they were courting."

"How romantic," Anne said, placing a hand on her chest.

"When Father gave her books, he read them first and underlined small portions with notes expressing how they said the things he felt but didn't know how to say to her," Noah explained.

"See," Anne said, sipping from her glass. "There are all kinds of sweet memories you have forgotten."

"It seems there are," Noah agreed.

He smiled and looked at Anne.

"Thank you," he said.

"I didn't do anything," Anne replied.

"You did," said the Duke. "You helped me to remember and think about happier times of my family. You have helped me to enjoy eating. Of all the things I could praise or thank you for, I feel like there is no end."

"Surely not," said Anne, shaking her head. "But thank you for that. Thank you for coming to Reedley, regardless of the cause, and stirring something in this place and in all of us."

"We will call it even then," replied the Duke.

They gazed at each other for a moment until Anne said, "I'll clean this up, unless you would like more."

"I don't want to spoil dinner," Noah replied. "I look forward to meals now. Those were nice amuse-bouche, but I want to be able to enjoy the full meal."

Anne collected the plate they shared and set it in the wash basin. When she turned, she nearly collided into the Duke's chest as he had followed her with their glasses.

"Careful," he said, steadying her with his arms as he tried to keep hold of the glasses.

"Oh, I apologize," Anne replied quickly.

"No, it was my fault," assured the Duke.

He still had his arms on either side of Anne, and their chests nearly touched. She looked up at him, and Noah looked down at her. They could see in their shared glances from each other's eyes to lips that they both shared the same temptation.

A kiss.

As they each leaned a little closer, they heard the sound of a door opening in the house.

"Miss?" Peggy called. "Your brother and your grandfather have returned, and I believe they might have had a bit too much to drink at the club."

Anne took the glasses from Noah, and they stepped apart. They could hear Charles and Jeremy, loud and slurring their speech as they inquired about dinner.

Peggy entered the room and said, "Nothing a good meal can't either fix or put them over the edge to sleep off."

Anne placed the glasses with the platter in the wash basin, and the Duke did his best to look inconspicuous, but the maid saw through them.

"Pardon me," she said. "I'll just see if they need any help settling in and preparing for dinner."

"Yes," agreed Anne. "Then, meet me upstairs; I need to dress for dinner as well."

"Of course, Miss," replied Peggy.

Then, she excused herself from the room.

"Anne," said Noah, reaching to stop her.

But Anne left the kitchen quickly as well.

He felt strange. He had never felt such closeness nor such longing.

There's a hunger, not only to taste her food but her lips, he thought. Time with her provides a fullness inside that does so much more than satisfying an appetite for a good meal.

He ran a hand through his light brown hair and paced the room a couple of rounds.

"Grandon?" Jeremy called for him.

For now, I need to get through the meal, he told himself. P erhaps she and I can discuss, discuss…

He paused then finished the thought to himself, … the fact that we almost kissed on our walk tomorrow.

His mind seemed to yell the words.

"Grandon, where are you?" Jeremy called once more.

"On the way, Reedley," he called back, leaving the kitchen and following the sound of the older gentleman's voice.

As he passed the stairs, he looked towards Anne's room and saw that the door was closed.

Is she as confused and excited as I am? he wondered.

In her room, Anne had also paced the floor, making no progress sorting her thoughts.

When Peggy came to help her dress, Anne said, "Close the door quickly. We must speak."

Peggy did as she was told and asked, "Is this about what I believe I saw? Clearly you two needed a chaperone after all, but it is not uncommon for a young couple to sneak away and steal a kiss or touch of the hand across the table."

"But we are not a young couple," Anne replied louder than she meant to.

She took the maid's hands and pulled her away from the door and continued in a whisper.

"We are not courting or even in the earliest stages of considering courting. He is an injured guest in our home who will be leaving soon. He is a duke. I may be the granddaughter of a baron, but that is not high enough station to turn the head of a duke," Anne said.

Peggy, rather than whisper spoke softly.

"It is not station that turns a man's head, but you aren't exactly a commoner. Your grandfather is a baron, yes, but your aunt is also a viscountess. Either way, I do not believe that will be what matters most if you two have feelings for each other, and clearly, you do," said the maid.

Anne sighed and confessed, "That is my biggest concern of all."

"Well, for the moment, we do not know that it need be one," Peggy said calmly.

"Right. We nearly kissed, but that is all. We can talk about it later or not. Everything is unchanged really," Anne agreed.

Except my heart seems changed greatly, she thought to herself.

"For now, I only need to dress for dinner and move forward from there," she said to the maid. "Please, help my put on my green dress."

"Of course, Miss," Peggy said, smiling at Anne understandingly.

The two women had Anne dressed and downstairs in a timely manner. She entered the dining area to find all the men waiting for her.

"Shall we, then?" she asked.

"Yes, please," agreed Charles. "We ate at the club, but I feel starved."

"I believe you are confusing fulness and satisfaction," replied Jeremy to his grandson. "Our sandwiches at the club were sufficient but not as satisfying as what we would have had here or if we had asked Anne to send us with something."

"I know that my eyes have been feasting, and my stomach would like to catch up," Charles said, picking up his utensils and taking a bite once everyone was seated after his sister's arrival.

"Your grandfather has a point. There is a lot to be said when you think of satiety," said the Duke thoughtfully.

"Then, perhaps we should toast to our chef," Jeremy suggested, lifting his glass. As everyone else followed suit, he said, "To the young woman who keeps our hearts and stomachs always equally filled so that we know and appreciate every meaning of the term. To Anne."

"To Anne," Charles and the Duke echoed.

Anne laughed nervously but sipped along with them.

"Perhaps you both drank a little more than you should have this afternoon," she said, "but thank you still. That was very thoughtful."

"Soggy or not, I meant every word," the Baron replied.

He smiled, and his cheeks were rosy, giving away his lubricated state.

With an air of pride he added, "It only makes the sociable, like me, even more so. At times, I dare say it should be encouraged. It can lubricate conversation, the mind, and — well, I don't have a third thing, but I think that is plenty."

"I think it is fine when those who know how to comport themselves with drink imbibe a little on occasion," agreed the Duke. "I'm rather pleased you suggested a drink with dinner."

"Is that so?" asked the Baron. "Are you in a good mood as well or looking to relax a tense one?"

"I suppose a bit of both," the Duke replied, sipping his drink as he looked from the Baron to the Baron's granddaughter.

As the meal continued, the Baron led the conversation mostly. He had new jokes to share from his afternoon out with Charles.

Finally, Anne asked, "Did you take care of the matter you needed to leave so urgently for that you mentioned at breakfast?"

"That remains to be seen," her grandfather replied. "With many things, the proof is in the pudding, and I dare say it is still simmering. You cook pudding, right? I hate mixed metaphors."

"No, that is correct. Pudding cooks and simmers," Anne confirmed.

"And as I understand it, a watched pot never boils," he continued. "At this point, I am torn between leaving the pot to boil on its own and keeping an eye to see how the ingredients interact."

"An extended metaphor," noted the Duke. "Are you leading us into one of your riddles, Reedley? I've come to enjoy them."

"No, no riddles tonight," said the Baron.

His smile faded to a more serious look.

"No, but Charles and I may need some lessons around the kitchen. Perhaps Peggy can instruct us tomorrow morning, if you believe Charles could forgo a day of his studies with you?"

"That is all right with me," replied the Duke. "He's come a long way in a short amount of time. I think a day off could serve him well."

"What learning do you need in the kitchen? I would be more than happy to help you though I admit it sounds strange that you are taking such an interest in cooking," said Anne.

"No, all three of us should not be occupied while the Duke is here. See to him tomorrow, and I shall ask my questions of Peggy," Anne's grandfather insisted.

Anne would have persisted, but the change in her grandfather's tone made her feel it was best that she not.