Authors: Kathryn Kirkwood
The sun had just risen over the housetops when Melissa made to approach the elaborately carved front door. But just as she was about to knock for admittance, she remembered her station and an amused smile spread over her countenance. Lissa should not be granted entrance at that portal. The servants’ entrance was in the back. She had best be more cautious or she would surely give her ruse away.
Melissa hurried down the flagstone path that led around the side of the house and entered the servants’ door. No sooner had she set foot inside, than a small black and brown bundle came flying at her and jumped up, into her arms.
“Perseus!” Melissa laughed down at the little pup whose tail thumped merrily as he bestowed a series of wet kisses on her face. He was not so little as he had been three weeks ago. Indeed, Perseus was now an armful and it was abundantly apparent that he was receiving tidbits from the kitchens.
“He remembers you, Lissa.” Emmy, the youngest of the scullery maids, smiled as she took Perseus from Melissa’s arms.
“Perseus has the run of the house and he is even allowed in his grace’s bed.”
“I would expect no less.” Melissa grinned. She had first made Emmy’s acquaintance when the duke had taken her to Oakwood House to fetch the brandy that had replaced the ill-fated flask she had broken. At that time, the duke had given Perseus over to Emmy’s care and it was most evident that the pup was thriving.
“I am so glad that you are here, Lissa.” Emmy put the pup down and he scampered away, his tail wagging in excitement. “Mrs. Parker took ill with the fever last night, but she has refused to take to her bed. She attempted to come down the stairs this morning, this being the day of the party and all, but she was so weak, she could scarcely stand.”
Melissa frowned. “Has someone told his grace of her condition?”
“Oh, yes. Mr. Oliver went in to wake his grace immediately.”
Melissa nodded. She had met Mr. Oliver, the duke’s valet. “And what did his grace do?”
“His grace went to see Mrs. Parker straight away, not even taking the time to dress. He said Mrs. Parker’s health was more important to him than observing the proprieties. Once he had seen her, his grace sent Mr. Harley to fetch his personal physician.”
“Has Harley returned with the physician?”
“No, Lissa.” Emmy shook her head. “But he has been gone for near to an hour and we expect him back at any moment.”
Melissa nodded and her estimation of the duke rose even higher. Most employers would have summoned the apothecary or his assistant, but the duke had sent his head footman to bring in his personal physician. “I shall try to make her comfortable while we wait for the physician to arrive. Take me to her, Emmy, and I will see what I can do.”
When Melissa entered Mrs. Parker’s bedchamber, she found that good woman attempting to dress. One touch of her fevered brow and Melissa ordered her back to bed. She sent Emmy to
the kitchen for cold compresses and when they had arrived, Melissa and Emmy took turns bathing Mrs. Parker’s face.
“Thank you, Lissa.” Mrs. Parker struggled to sit up after a few minutes had passed. “I feel much relieved now and I believe I shall be able to dress.”
Melissa shook her head and pushed the housekeeper kindly, but firmly back against the pillows. “No, Mrs. Parker. You must rest until the physician arrives.”
“The physician?” An expression of dismay crossed Mrs. Parker’s countenance. “Am I indeed so ill that I should have need of a physician?”
Melissa reached out to touch her brow again and then she smiled. “I think not, Mrs. Parker. Lady Harrington was afflicted with a similar malady only last winter and she recovered very well indeed.”
Emmy looked worried. “Did her ladyship have a physician to attend to her?”
“No.” Melissa sighed. “I fear there were none who could traverse the roads at that time of year. Lady Harrington had to make do with my nursing and a mixture of herbs that I steeped for her.”
“Tell me the herbs and I will fetch them.” Emmy offered eagerly. “If her ladyship recovered her health with them, so shall Mrs. Parker.”
Melissa considered it for a moment and then she shook her head. “His grace’s physician has already been summoned and his knowledge far exceeds my simple remedy. It would be best to wait upon his arrival.”
The words had no sooner left Melissa’s mouth, then there was a knock upon the door. Emmy went to answer it, and when she came back she was frowning. “Mr. Harley has returned without the physician. His housekeeper said that he was called out early this morning, and he’s not expected back until nightfall.”
“Perhaps it is just as well.” Mrs. Parker looked greatly relieved.
“I must confess that I have a fear of the physician, and I have no need of him now that Lissa is here to attend to me.”
Lissa nodded and turned to Emmy. “Bathe Mrs. Parker’s brow with the compresses, Emmy, and replace them with fresh when they are warm to your touch. I will gather the herbs I need from the kitchen garden.”
With the aid of the head gardener, Melissa located the herbs and barks she needed for her medicinal tea. Once they had been pounded to a pulp and steeped in boiling water, she carried a steaming cup to Mrs. Parker and assisted her while she drank the bitter brew.
“Emmy, dear. Will you please fetch more cold water for those compresses?” Mrs. Parker smiled at the youngest of her scullery maids.
“Yes, ma’am.” Emmy bobbed her head. “I’ll be back afore the cat can lick her ear, ma’am.”
“Before
, not
afore.
You must always take a caution to speak properly.” Mrs. Parker corrected her gently. “And thank you, Emmy, for taking such care with me.”
When Emmy had left, Melissa turned to Mrs. Parker. She was certain that the duke’s housekeeper had wished for a private word as the compresses were quite cold enough for their purpose. “What is it you wish, Mrs. Parker?”
“It’s Henri.” Mrs. Parker sighed. “On the day of a dinner party, he regards himself as an artist and his temper is legendary. I fear he will have the whole household at sixes and sevens if I am not there to calm him.”
Melissa nodded reassuringly. “I will make certain that does not occur. What is it that you do for him in particular?”
“I regale him with compliments.” Mrs. Parker gave a tired smile. “I swear that the particular dish he is preparing would be certain to please even the Prince Regent, himself, and I assure him that no household, however grand, has ever possessed a chef more worthy. I spin Banbury tales of his greatness at every turn and thus prevent Henri from stalking off in a fit of pique.”
“Then there is no cause for anxiety, Mrs. Parker.” Melissa wrung out the compress and replaced it with a fresh one. “I will appease Henri for you.”
“That is good in you, Lissa. My cousin had the right of it. You are a gem.”
Mrs. Parker smiled and then her eyes fluttered closed. Melissa sat silently until the housekeeper’s breathing was deep and even and then she rose to tiptoe to the door. The herbal potion she had administered would reduce Mrs. Parker’s fever and cause her to sleep for most of the day. While she was resting, her body would mend and Lissa was certain that the services of a physician would not be needed. She would instruct Emmy to continue with the compresses until the fever had abated, sit with Mrs. Parker for the remainder of the day to assure that her sleep was undisturbed, and send word to her immediately if there was any change in the housekeeper’s condition.
“You say that her fever has gone?” The duke frowned slightly as his gentleman’s gentleman finished tying his neck cloth in a perfect waterfall. “How can this be? Harley has reported that he was unable to locate my physician.”
“It is Lissa’s doing, your grace. The medicinal tea she made for Mrs. Parker has done wonders for her condition.”
Robert raised his eyebrows at the smile that spread over his valet’s customarily staid countenance. It seemed that Lissa had made another conquest among the members of his staff. “And the preparations are proceeding without Mrs. Parker?”
“Yes, your grace. Lissa has taken charge.”
“Then all will be well.” Robert answered his valet’s smile with one of his own as he was helped into his coat. “I shall remain at home today. Inform me at once if any problems arise and I shall deal with them personally.”
“Yes, your grace. If you have no further need of my services, I shall place myself at Lissa’s disposal.”
“An excellent suggestion. Please convey my appreciation to Lissa and inform her that I am available should she need me.”
An amused chuckle escaped Robert’s throat as his gentleman’s gentleman quit the room. His valet had certainly never offered to assist a member of the household staff before, but he seemed more than eager to do Lissa’s bidding. In the past sennight, Lissa had charmed his staff, from the lowest scullery maid to the most elevated retainers who had been in his father’s employ. Robert wasn’t certain how she had accomplished this feat, but he was extremely grateful that Lady Harrington had seen fit to send her to Oakwood House.
As Robert traversed the hall and opened the door to the chamber he had refurbished for his private sitting room, he wore a broad smile. The knowledge that Lissa was in his home, organizing his servants and overseeing the preparations for the elaborate dinner party that he would host tonight, made him feel content. She was undoubtedly the most capable young woman he had ever had occasion to meet, and though she was a servant, he regarded her as an equal. It was a strange turn of affairs that would be certain to send his mother into the boughs if she caught wind of it. That the young Duke of Oakwood should enjoy such an informal relationship with a mere servant would set tongues wagging in the best of households. Indeed it was scandalous, and the duke’s grin widened as he considered dropping a hint of his warm feelings for Lady Harrington’s servant. He would not care a whit if his friendship with Lissa became the topic of the latest
on-dit,
but his action could do the dear girl a great disservice. It might also serve to embarrass Regina and that was certainly not his intention. He would be wise to keep his emotions close to his chest and not divulge them to a soul. But how tempting it was to consider making a clean breast of his fascination with Lissa and let the matter end as it would.
Lissa had just finished arranging the last of the flowers when she heard a horrendous crash from the regions of the kitchen.
As she hurried down the hallway to the source of the disturbance, there was another crash and then another. Someone was shouting, the words almost indistinguishable, but Lissa recognized the language. It was French and Lissa remembered Mrs. Parker’s warning. The duke’s chef, Henri, was on a rampage and it was up to her to settle him down.
“La!” Lissa stopped short at the kitchen door, her eyes widening at the sight that greeted her. The diminutive Frenchman was brandishing a pot and chasing a poor kitchen maid who looked about to succumb to an attack of the vapors.
“What is amiss, Monsieur Henri?” Lissa approached him calmly and took the pot out of his hand.
“These lobsters, they are dead!” Henri kicked at the large barrel that sat in the center of the kitchen. “This stupid girl, she leave them outside and the water to cover them, it has gone!”
Lissa turned to the kitchen maid, who was cowering behind a wooden counter, and motioned for her to make herself scarce. Then she walked over to the lobster barrel and peered inside.
“You see?” Henri walked over to join her. “Dead! And how is it possible that I accomplish the lobster course with no lobsters?”
“Here is a live one.” Lissa reached into the barrel and pulled out one active crustacean. “And I see another near the bottom of the barrel.”
Henri rolled his eyes at the ceiling. “Two lobster will not be sufficient to serve forty guests and I cannot make them live again!”
“No indeed, though if anyone could accomplish such a feat, I am convinced it would be you.” Lissa smiled at him. “Your reputation as a miracle worker precedes you, Monsieur Henri.”
“Miracle worker?”
Lissa smiled at the astonished expression on his face. “It is said that your soufflés are as light as the clouds themselves, and your confections melt into supreme goodness the instant
they touch the lips. These are rivaled only by the delicious sauces you create to grace tender morsels of meat and fowl.”
“Who is it who says these things?” Henri looked pleased, but doubt still lingered on his countenance.
“Why everyone who is anyone!” Lissa smiled. “Every one of Lady Harrington’s callers has praised the delicious and unusual feasts you create. At least four ladies have told her ladyship that they intend to fast for an entire sennight so that they may indulge their appetites at your table this evening.”
Henri laughed. “Is this so?”
“It is.” Lissa leaned closer to impart a confidence. “I have heard tell that the Prince Regent, himself, turned green with envy when he learned that you were in his grace’s employ. It is a test of their enduring friendship that he has not attempted to engage you for himself.”
Henri looked even more pleased, but then he began to frown again. “But no one will praise me when I fail to serve the lobster.”
“You will not fail.” Lissa was at her most convincing. Calming Henri was much like appeasing a petulant child, but there was still a problem to be solved. “Let me think for a moment, Henri, and I shall figure a way out of our difficulty.”
As Melissa stared down at the lobsters in the barrel, she was put in mind of the wonderful lobster bisque that Elise had prepared for her mother and father. It would not do to suggest a recipe that had been served in a mere baron’s household, but perhaps she could spin a Banbury tale that would satisfy the little Frenchman’s sense of pride.
“I shall share my secret with you, Henri.” Melissa began to speak in French, explaining that she did not wish the kitchen maids to carry tales of what she was about to say. “I had occasion to meet a woman who was once a kitchen maid in King George’s employ. When she left the castle, she took with her the instructions for preparing the royal bisque. She confided to me that it had not been prepared for a number of years. The
recipe was lost and she was the only one left alive who had the knowledge to make it.”