“Well, Nicole, please don’t take this the wrong way. But she didn’t offer me the job as a knee jerk reaction to a nice conversation over lunch. This was agreed with a mutual friend. Joanie who is to be her bridesmaid hired me as her own wedding gift to Millie.”
Nicole wasn’t daunted. “I’m sure her friend means well, but she can’t have the right idea about this family and what this wedding means.”
It was going to be a pleasure to put this woman in her place. “Joanie used to work for the family.” Laura kept her voice calm her temper cool. “She was Lord Du Montfort’s chef here for four years, so I think she knows them and has exactly the right idea.” She resisted the temptation to smile smugly.
Nicole was more horrified. “You mean this is someone who used to be staff? In the kitchen?”
Just then Millie came back, and instantly the conservatory became warmer and sunnier. Nicole unpursed her lips and pasted on a smile. “How is His Lordship?”
“I don’t know. Still tired. I’ll have a proper talk with the doctor later.”
Another woman, middle-aged with hair up in a tight bun, walked in with a tray. The smell of fresh coffee wafted in front of her.
“Oh Mrs B.” Millie looked up. “You’re a mindreader, I need caffeine. I’ve a long night packing and an early start tomorrow.”
Mrs B placed the tray down with a click of china and cutlery. No simple kitchen mugs here. The coffee pot and cups were delicate porcelain and the spoons silver. There was also a plate heaped with biscuits.
“Mrs B, this is Laura. I told you about her,” Millie said.
Mrs B beamed at Laura. “Of course. Sit yourself down, dear. How do you take your coffee? I’ve already had your luggage taken up to your room.” She glanced at Millie. “I put her in the blue room and told Pierre to keep an eye on her.” Then back to Laura. “If there is anything you need, please call for me. But anyone in the house will be happy to help. A friend of Joanie’s is a friend of ours. Do you take cream or milk?” She put a cup of coffee on the small side table next to the sofa.
Laura’s head spun with all the information. The woman had managed to serve Millie, clear the strewn bridal magazines off the table and carry on a barrage of chatter all in ten seconds.
“Um, black. Thank you so much.”
Millie, not waiting on ceremony, poured herself a coffee and added a drop of cream then reached for the plate. She took one and offered the plate to Laura and Nicole. “These are my favourites. Lemon and ginger.”
They smelled delicious; clearly, they’d only just come out of the oven.
“Not for me, thank you. I’m gluten-free,” Nicole said as if it was a status symbol. She grabbed her tablet and, ignoring Mrs B and Laura, she looked only at Millie. “I’ll leave you to it then.” She rose to her feet. “I’ll catch up with you later.”
The word later clanged like a church bell. But at least for now, she’d left the room. Laura breathed out which made Millie laugh.
“She means well. Don’t let her intimidate you.”
“She doesn’t intimidate me, but I don’t think she likes me, much.”
“I’m not sure she likes anybody. But she’s good at managing the logistics. Having someone handle all the millions of phone calls, the guest lists, accommodation arrangements and who might be allergic to what, she deals with it all and keeps the rest of us sane.”
Mrs B was removing the third unused cup, but Millie stopped her. “You can leave that. The doctor will be down in a minute.”
“Alright, dearie. What time shall I tell Evans to come for you?”
“I’m taking the seven o’clock ferry.”
As soon as Mrs B left, Laura looked at Millie for an explanation.
“She’s our housekeeper and the queen of this house. Nothing happens here that she doesn’t know about.”
“Where are you going in the morning?” Laura wasn’t sure she wanted to be left alone tomorrow. Besides, Millie had mentioned packing so she would be away at least a couple of days.
“South Africa,” Millie said as she sipped her coffee. “Well, London first for a few days then we fly out on Thursday.”
Before Laura could ask again, there was a discreet, and definitely male cough behind her.
“Ah, excuse me.”
Millie rose to her feet. Laura stood up too and turned around. And froze.
