Before she spoke to Charles again, they both needed to cool off. They were both angry and wanted things their own way. Normally, she would work things out with him, but she was playing for the prince and princess and there was no negotiating that. He’d either accompany her, or he wouldn’t. It was his choice.
She walked around the room several times before continuing to the bed chamber itself. Slipping out of her slippers, Cathryn shut the heavy drapes and climbed onto the bed. As soon as she was comfortable, she felt her eyes grow heavy. She thought of taking a hot bath to loosen up her tense shoulder muscles but decided against it. She was too tired to get everything ready. It felt good to lie down somewhere comfortable after spending the day once again bent over the keyboard. After playing as much as she had been, it was near impossible to keep good posture.
That was the last thing she remembered. When she opened her eyes a crack, she realized she’d slept through the night. If she hurried, she could change and have breakfast. Should Charles be there, she would not bring up their heated conversation of the night before.
She needed to choose a gown to wear to the soiree. There wasn’t time to have one made; besides, she had three gowns she’d not worn before. She’d had them commissioned when they’d been in town. After she had breakfast, she’d look over the gowns and make her decision.
Entering the dining room, she quickly noted there was no sign of Charles. His place was untouched, newspapers to his left where they always were kept. Perhaps he’d gone for a ride. His horse needed the exercise, and it was a good way for him to get to know the estate.
She sat down and waited for a footman to bring her a plate with eggs and bacon. A second plate with a good chunk of toasted bread was all she needed. Pouring a cup of tea, she waited for it to cool and instead spread blackberry jam over the toast.
Halfway through her meal and with no sign of Charles, she decided she would go in search of Frazier and see if he knew where he was. The valet had much more understanding of Charles’s routines.
She heard a faint knock on the door and looked up and saw Mrs. Thompson and the cook enter.
“Cook has the menus for the next few weeks. I thought you’d like to go over them, make changes or additions.”
“Yes, by all means. Now’s a perfect time.”
She motioned for the two women to sit. They hesitated for a minute but did sit down across from her.
“Perhaps you’d like to tell me some of your favorites,” Cook said. She was a woman in her fifties, her gray hair pulled back. From what Cathryn understood, Cook had never worked for anyone else and apprenticed her skills right here in this house.
“My husband is the odd bird. He will try most anything and if he doesn’t like it, then it will never grace our table again. As far as meat, the only one he will not eat is lamb or mutton. No game except for the occasional venison. There isn’t a piece of fruit he doesn’t like, and the same can be said of vegetables.”
“What about fish or crustaceans?” Cook inquired.
“He eats both, but both must be extremely fresh.”
She noted desserts hadn’t been mentioned, which she decided she should address. “He likes most any sweet but is perfectly content with fruit and cheese as a dessert.”
“He’s not all that difficult. I’ve had worse,” Cook said. “As far as guests, just let me know in advance so we can make adjustments or changes.”
“No problem. I expect some time soon, my husband’s brother, the duke and his wife, will come for a visit as will his sister.”
“Just let us know,” Mrs. Thompson said. Turning to Cook, Cathryn noticed the housekeeper make a gesture to the older woman. “We’ve taken enough of your time, milady.”
Cathryn looked at Cook. “Let’s just go through the menus and we’ll see what works. I think that’ll work best.”
Cook nodded before both women left the room. This was something she was going to have to get used to, and it was going to take her a while to learn.
Finished with her breakfast, she left the dining room in search of Frazier, who wasn’t hard to find. He was in Charles’s dressing room putting things in their proper place.
“I haven’t found him. Any suggestions?”
“None. He must have left in the middle of the night. From what I can tell, he took a change of clothes, which is not unusual for him. He’s meticulous in that way. I’m sure he took some things from the kitchen. Outside of that, I haven’t a clue. He was upset and when he gets that way, he goes and spends a day or two by himself.”
“He never mentioned he did such,” she said.
“He does it less and less, but it is good for him to do. Never goes too far, so I figure he’s somewhere here on the estate.”
“But he doesn’t know the lay of the land.”
Frazier smiled. “He’s smart like that. Just give him a day or two. He’ll be back just like new.”
“Very well. You know him best.”
“For now.”
