“Quite so,” he replied in that very proper way of a head butler.
“Including that rather unforgivable incident when I appropriated the pot of glue from the coach barn and glued your trousers to the kitchen chair when you sat for evening meal,” I reminded him.
“A memorable encounter, miss.”
“An encounter that required your trousers to be cut away from the chair, and then a new pair of trousers.” I recalled.
“Which her ladyship was most considerate of, and most generous,” he replied. “Although she did suggest that I inspect any chair before sitting in it from that day forward, miss.”
“Exactly,” I told him. “Therefore in recognition of my past transgressions, you should continue to call me Miss Mikaela, and not Madame. It reminds me of Madame Lucretia Vandervere.” I leaned in close.
“Between you and me, a dreadful woman.” I could have sworn there was a sudden quirk of a smile, that was quickly gone, considering his position.
“I quite understand, miss. You will find the ladies in the small salon. I believe her ladyship called it a spa treatment, although I have no idea what that might mean. I do believe that it includes vegetables.”
Spa treatment? Oh, dear.
Along with my sister’s comment in that earlier telephone conversation, I nodded and proceeded toward the small salon that adjoined the garden room that had been transformed into the replica of a jungle during my aunt’s safari planning.
I was grateful that the monkey had found its way back to the zoo after being on loan to my aunt. However, it most certainly would have provided entertainment for Lily. Not that my aunt’s household had ever been lacking in that regard.
There was always something exciting or at least interesting. I suppose it accounted for our childhood that had been regarded somewhat unusual.
It wasn’t everyone who had the adventures of running loose about the highlands of Scotland or exploring ancient places. According to one of my great-aunt’s friends, it undoubtedly accounted for my wild and unpredictable nature, whatever that might mean. But there you are.
In retrospect, I was grateful that my adventures hadn’t been limited to museums and art galleries and wouldn’t have changed a thing.
I now stopped at the entrance to the small salon and stared at the scene before me. My aunt lay across one of the settees, my sister upon the other, while Lily lay on the carpet on the floor.
Anyone else coming upon this scenario might be inclined to panic, or a shout-out to the household staff to summon the family physician. Anyone else, that is.
Behind me, Mr. Symons announced my arrival with a not-subtle clearing of the throat.
“Miss Mikaela,” he announced, which immediately brought Lily upright, followed by my sister.
“Oh, miss!” Lily exclaimed as she scrambled to her feet. Then in true Lily fashion exclaimed, “I’ve lost the damned vegetables again!”
“A lady does not curse,” my aunt reminded her. It was admirable on her part, however her efforts had fallen short with myself at that age.
The loss of the “damned vegetables” sent Lily scrambling to retrieve said vegetables that had scattered across the carpet— slices of cucumber by the look of it.
I assisted, having previously been through this particular ritual of my aunt’s, who was still reclined with slices of said vegetable in place upon her eyes.
“Is that you, Mikaela dear?” my aunt called out.
“Yes, I’m here to see Mr. Munro,” I replied. “If he’s about.”
And without moving a muscle. “He returned some time ago… then out and about again on some matter or another again,” she replied without dislodging a single cucumber slice.
Was that some matter or another the inquiries I had asked him to make regarding Dr. Bennett?
Lily leaned in close. “Her ladyship says as how the vegetable is good for the skin and eyes,” she explained. “I ain’t never heard of that before,” she exclaimed as we gathered scattered slices of cucumber.
“Anything like this always went into the cook pot at the Church. Mrs. Erditch, wot cooked for the ladies, was real particular about that. Nothin’ was wasted.”
And most certainly not for placing slices of cucumber over the eyes and cheeks, I thought.
“I heard Mr. Munro tell her ladyship that he wouldna be back for evenin’ supper, he had someone he needed to see,” Lily added. “Seemed right important.”
