Daniel grinned. “You may accompany me downstairs, then to the kitchen if you like. It’s time you met Cook.”
Chapter 15
The sounds and smells that greeted Rebecca were not entirely unfamiliar. When her parents had been alive, she’d been forbidden from venturing below stairs for two reasons: first, because proper ladies never entered the servants’ domain, and second, because her parents hadn’t wanted her to get in anyone’s way. But, being the lively child that she’d been, such rules hadn’t been enough to stop her, and she’d many a time snuck into the kitchen to steal a freshly baked bun or two. Later, at Roselyn Castle, she’d entered the kitchen only once. After accidentally knocking over a bucket of water, the cook had yelled at her to get out, and her aunt had later punished her by sending her to bed without supper—the first warning of the sort of treatment she would come to expect from her relative.
Hesitant about what awaited her in the kitchen of Avern House, Rebecca allowed Daniel to lead the way. The rich aroma of meat mingling with spices drifted toward her, teasing her senses. When she finally entered the room itself, heat coming from a massive oven in the corner embraced her. She stepped forward and glanced around, taking in the vast array of copper pots that hung suspended under the ceiling alongside bunches of dried herbs. A middle-aged woman dressed all in black and with a rather shapely figure came into view. Rebecca stared as the woman grabbed a spoon and poured some liquid, which Rebecca suspected might have been wine, into one of the pots on the stove. Somehow she’d drawn the conclusion that all cooks were of the more plump variety, as had been the case both during her childhood and at Roselyn Castle. Clearly she had been mistaken and was only grateful that the woman she was now looking at was past her prime and unlikely to catch her husband’s interest.
Rebecca shook the thought away. What was she thinking? That Daniel would actually try to seduce the help? Even she knew that he was better than that, yet the thought had entered her mind without restraint, reminding her that she still worried about his ability to remain faithful to her, more so now that she’d actually given herself to him. The trouble was that she feared it wasn’t just her body he’d conquered on their wedding night but her heart as well.
“Rebecca,” Daniel said, taking her by the hand and leading her forward. “May I introduce you to Madame Renarde? A fine cook if I may say so.”
Of course she would be French, Rebecca mused. She smiled at the woman, who was also quite pretty, save for a slight burn mark on her left cheek. “I hope you don’t mind me intruding on your domain,” Rebecca said, “but I was curious to see the rest of the house. I am Lady Rebecca Neville.”
Madame Renarde smiled, her hand still stirring the simmering liquid in the pot. Whatever it was, it smelled heavenly. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady.” Her voice sang with lyrical French undertones. “I hope you will forgive me for not coming upstairs to greet you earlier upon your arrival as is customary,” Madame Renarde continued, “but as you can see, there is a lot of work to be done.”
“I’d be happy to help,” Rebecca blurted without thinking. Madame Renarde’s raised eyebrows and a stunned silence from Molly, Daniel and Hawkins, who’d been discussing the procedure of tending to Rebecca’s bath later, were indicative of a mutual surprise. Rebecca turned, hands on hips, and looked at Daniel. “I see no reason why I cannot lend a hand here when you are prepared to act as footman.”
Her husband stared back at her, but then the corner of his mouth twitched, giving way to a broad smile. “I believe we’ve both proven ourselves unsuitable for traditional conventions. This is your home as well as it is mine. You may do as you please, my dear.”
Her heart swelling with infinite joy, Rebecca grabbed an apron from a hook behind the door and proceeded to follow whatever instructions Madame Renarde and Molly gave her, fetching dishes, chopping herbs, grinding pepper and crushing garlic.
“It’s a good thing you’re having a bath later,” Daniel whispered as he strode past the spot where Rebecca was working. “You’re starting to smell like quite the meal yourself.” Heat rose to her cheeks as he said it, his words suggesting that he wouldn’t mind partaking in the delicacies she had to offer. It was a wonder that she didn’t burst into flames at the very idea of it.
“Thank you so much for helping us,” Madame Renarde said when the only task that remained was carrying the food upstairs. “I don’t believe any other lady would have done the same.”
“You’re very welcome,” Rebecca said, “and since I’m going up anyway, I can easily take something along if you like.”
“There’s a dumbwaiter right over there, Rebecca,” Daniel said. Having returned to the kitchen after helping Hawkins with the tub, he’d stepped up beside Rebecca and was now pointing to a square-shaped hole in the wall. “It will bring the food directly to the dining room.”
Marveling at the ingenious bit of engineering, Rebecca allowed Daniel to escort her back upstairs while Molly followed behind them. “I know you’re eager to see it at work,” Daniel said, leading Rebecca past the dining room table and toward a small square-shaped door located in the wall at the far end of the room. Grabbing the brass handle on the bottom of it, Daniel pushed the door up, revealing a shaft inside the wall. Rebecca stared, impressed by the convenience this simple idea offered. She’d always been used to large estates, where the food was tepid at best by the time it traveled the long distance from the kitchen to the dining room.
Reaching for a chord that hung beside the dumbwaiter, Daniel gave it a slight pull. There was a brief moment of silence, and then a whirring sound as ropes yanked the elevator containing Daniel’s and Rebecca’s dinner upward. “Let’s take our seats now,” Daniel said as soon as Rebecca caught sight of a tray with three covered dishes on it, “and allow Molly here to do her job.” When they were alone again and their plates had been filled with succulent chicken br**sts, as well as potato slices fried in butter and herbs and covered in a light but piquant red wine sauce, Daniel said, “I really appreciate everything you did this evening. It was well done of you, Becky, and I know that the servants will respect you more for it. Just don’t forget that they must feel useful as well. You have to give them the chance to serve you.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m just not very used to that concept, I suppose. After arriving at Roselyn Castle, Laura quickly became more than just my maid. She became my only friend, and rather than just sit about being bored out of my wits, I often helped her with her chores.”
“And I believe that you’re a better person because of it,” Daniel said with a look of understanding in his eyes. “All I’m saying is that you should take care not to make any of them feel as if they’re superfluous. They take pride in their work.”
Rebecca stared back at him as he stabbed a piece of chicken with his fork and put it in his mouth, his features dissolving with pleasure as he began to chew. What a conundrum he was— an heir to a marquisate and renowned rakehell who seemed to understand his servants better than he did his peers, and who’d been willing to rescue her when any other sensible man would have run in the opposite direction. He’d had his own reasons, to be sure, she reminded herself, yet she couldn’t help but feel that he would have done it anyway, even if he’d had nothing to gain except her hand.
Rebecca was distracted from her thoughts when she noticed that Molly had appeared in the dining room doorway. She had a somewhat apologetic look upon her face. “I’m sorry for disturbing your dinner,” she said, “but I thought you might like to know that your lady’s maid has just arrived, my lady.”
“That is excellent news,” Daniel said, looking equally pleased.
“Would you be so kind as to ask her if she’s hungry, Molly?” Rebecca asked. “And if so, please ensure that she gets a proper meal, after which she may come and see me in the . . .” Rebecca considered her options. The parlor was being readied for her bath, so that wouldn’t be a very good place to talk.
“You may ask her to join us in the library when she’s ready,” Daniel suggested.
“Very good, sir,” Molly said, bobbing a curtsy and disappearing out of sight.
“Isn’t it customary for gentlemen to retire to their study alone after supper?” Rebecca asked with a bit of a twist to her lips.
Taking a sip of his wine, Daniel eyed her with amusement. “And enjoy my after-dinner drink in complete solitude? Sounds perfectly dull, if you ask me.”
“I suppose it does,” Rebecca agreed, happy that he was openly seeking her company.
“Besides, I’m not the conventional sort,” he continued, “and I’m also rather eager to discover if my wife is as talented at cards as she is at playing charades.”
Rebecca could feel her cheeks grow warm beneath his gaze. “And what about Laura?” Rebecca asked. “I’m sure she’ll be up shortly.”
“And I am confident that we can manage at least one game of vingt-et-un before she graces us with her presence,” Daniel said. He set his napkin aside and walked over to Rebecca, who’d risen as well, and offered her his arm.
On second thought, Rebecca believed he was probably right, especially if Laura would be partaking of the same delicious meal that Rebecca and Daniel had just enjoyed, for it was not the sort of food one rushed through for any reason. As it turned out, Rebecca managed to beat Daniel twice at the game he’d just taught her before anyone came to disturb them. She took a sip of the claret he’d poured for her when they’d started playing.
“I don’t suppose you’d care to try my brandy?” Daniel asked with a hint of devilish mischief.
“Are you trying to cloud my judgment by getting me foxed?” Rebecca asked, feigning outrage.
He placed his hand over his heart and looked well and truly shocked. “I would never!” A firm knock sounded at the door. Daniel looked suddenly distraught. “And just when I was winning,” he said as he tossed his cards on the table and said, “enter!”
The door opened just in time to stop Rebecca from rolling her eyes at Daniel. Win indeed. It was little wonder that his uncle had insisted he stop gambling. If he could lose so easily to her, she dared not contemplate how much money he’d lost to more experienced players. Giggling at the silliness of it all, she leapt up, almost knocking over her claret in her excitement to get to Laura. “It’s so good to see you again,” she said, taking her maid’s hands in her own. The gesture was much too familiar to be shared between an employer and an employee, but Rebecca didn’t care—not when Laura had been so kind and loyal toward her.
“It is certainly a relief to see you as well,” Laura said with a bright smile pulling at her cheeks. She looked toward Daniel. “Good evening, sir, and thank you for sending for me. May I congratulate you on your marriage?”