“What does it matter?”
“That is what I said, my lady,” Rose said. “The ones she gave me for this room were ripped in the corner and stained. Someone doesn’t know their job,” Rose said loftily.
Mrs. Gallagher bristled. “I knows my job, it’s yous as don’t know yours.”
“My job is to care for Lady Guinevere, and that’s what I’m doing.”
“Enough!” Cassie said. “Mrs. Gallagher, do we have a shortage of linens? I’d best know that now, as we are expecting more guests soon.”
“I can’t—”
“We also have servants coming. Please give me your chatelaine.”
“What? No!”
“I do not have one right now, so as mistress of the castle, I need yours for the nonce.”
Mrs. Gallagher clapped her hand around the clip that held the chatelaine to her gown.
“Mrs. Gallagher, it is only until I can get one of my own.” She held out her hand.
Mrs. Gallagher slowly unhooked the chatelaine and gave it to Cassie.
“I thank you for your service. Our maids will finish up our rooms. You are free to go for the evening. I know this has been a tumultuous day for you. What I need from you in the morning is a list of the supplies the castle will need to support a house party. I’m sure you had to support the house parties my late husband had so are accustomed to thinking in terms of parties,” Cassie said sweetly.
Mrs. Gallagher left. Cassie watched after her for a moment.
“You know,” Gwinnie said conversationally, “too much sugar always gives me a stomachache.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t think the sarcasm was lost on her,” Cassie said tiredly.
* * *
Early the next morning,Lakehurst found Cassie in the kitchen. She was crouched before the coal stove feeding it fresh coal.
“Here, let me do that for you,” he said.
She turned around to look at him and laughed slightly. “I am certain, my lord, I have more experience doing this than you do. Remember, I am a clergyman’s daughter. Not only did I do chores like this at the vicarage but also in the homes of the pensioners and others in need,” she said, closing the cast iron door and standing up. She took the teakettle to the stone sink and pumped water into it.
Lakehurst watched her. “Cisterns?” he asked.
She nodded. “There is also a spring nearby that flows almost year-round. Very good tasting water it is, too. Tea or hot chocolate? We didn’t bring any coffee with us, I’m sorry to say.”
“You like coffee?” he asked.
“Sometimes. Edmund does not drink tea, so I want to get coffee for him while he’s here.”
“I included coffee on the list I wrote last night.”
“Good. Have you seen Mr. or Mrs. Gallagher around this morning?” she asked.
His lips twisted. “I haven’t; however, I have it on good authority that they are no longer here.”
“No longer here? What do you mean?”
“Before first light, Mr. Gallagher had Carlyle hitch up the carriage they used to go into the village. When the groomsman Henry woke and asked what was going on, he said he was going into the village to buy provisions. But when he drove off, he drove the carriage to the far side of the castle first. Henry spied on him and said he picked up luggage and Mrs. Gallagher before driving off.”
“They went out through the hidden passage! That’s interesting.”
