“Just wait, for I’ll be mixing in apricots, raisins, honey, and cinnamon, among a few other aromatic spices. I’ll also add carrots and potatoes.”
“Am I invited?”
She nodded. “Yes, of course. Would you mind joining my father and me for an early supper? I hope the recipe does not prove too sweet for your palate. I will cut back a little on the ingredients next time, if it is. Then tomorrow, I plan on trying out several recipes for fish.”
“Fine with me. Can you make enough for my staff as well? I mean about the fish for tomorrow. And you ought to cook it here at Ardley Hall. Or is it too big of a task to prepare a meal for my entire staff? I suggest it for tactical reasons. You will have them in your thrall if any of these taste half as good as they sound. Also, you will have to get used to the workings of my kitchen. I shall speak to Mrs. Stringer and smooth everything over.”
“Shouldn’t I speak to her as well?”
“No. She is part of my staff. She’ll take her instruction from me.”
“Yes, but…all right.”
“Viola, you can do what you do best once you are in her kitchen.”
“And what is that?”
“Make everyone like you.”
She blushed, once again looking quite pleased. “Oh.”
“I know you will find a way to make Mrs. Stringer feel important even while you take charge.” He stretched out and placed an arm along the back of the settee, quite looking forward to tasting Viola’s dishes.
She spoke with such heartfelt enthusiasm and had a beautiful sparkle in her eyes. He felt her love of life wash over him as well. He was no longer surprised, for the girl always put him in better spirits.
“All right, I will prepare the fish in your kitchen and for all of you tomorrow. You and your staff shall be my critics. I cannot do it today with the game pie because I did not gather enough ingredients for more than two or three pies. My plan for all the meals will be to keep them simple, but artfully decorated and flavorful.”
“You’ll have no quarrel from me.” He glanced at the letter again. “My grandmother suggests early July as the date for the house party. How does this sound to you?”
She nodded. “Perfect. The Midsummer Fair will be over by then and I will be completely free to devote my time to your endeavor. Although, I think we’ve now done most of the work. All that is left is to send out the invitations and arrange for nightly entertainments. Do you think it should be dancing every evening or will you toss in a music recital or two? Also, the older guests will want card tables set up for them every night, I should think.”
“Yes, card tables for those who wish to play, and our village musicians to provide music for those who wish to dance. Forget the musical recitals. The men detest them and the women would rather spend a night dancing with potential husbands than listening to some stranger sing shrill songs at them. As for me, I would like nothing better than to have them all disappear into thin air.”
“Ah, excellent,” she said with a gentle, trilling laugh. “I see you are warming to the idea of this party.”
He grinned back. “I forbid you to be sarcastic, Miss Ruskin.”
“I cannot help it. Your attitude is atrocious. I almost feel sorry for these young ladies. How will they ever please you?”
He once again thought of several ways a man might be pleased, but those were not to be discusssed with innocent Viola. “Don’t worry about those ladies. Your cooking shall put me in good humor and they’ll declare me a most amiable fellow.”
She rolled her eyes. “Doubtful. I am coming to know you too well, my lord. The best we can hope for is an occasional smile out of you. Your endurance will be sorely tested, I’m sure. But you must not run away from your company. You are the host and must be present at all times.”
“That’s where you are wrong. My meddlesome parents will be quite useful, taking over host duties while I contrive any excuse to escape into the kitchen.”
“Don’t you dare! Your kitchen staff and I will be running around like chickens without our heads, cooking for you lot. The dishes will be quite good. Many of the herbs and vegetables will have reached maturity and we’ll be able to pick them fresh from your garden. But do not doubt I will chase you out with a rolling pin if you dare step foot inside my domain.”
“Yours, is it? I had no idea you were such a tyrannical task master.”
“I am not. If I am stern, it is for your own good. You must give these young ladies a chance to get to know you.”
He lolled his head back, banging it lightly against the back of the settee.
She giggled. “You are strong, my lord. You will survive the house party weekend.”
“It will be a close thing, I assure you. Let’s finish up with whatever needs to be done here, then I’ll walk you back to the vicarage. Do you mind if I stay and watch you cook?”
Her eyes rounded in surprise. “Don’t you have more important things to attend to? I assumed you would just come back down in time for supper.”
