“Not at all. I was thinking there should be a celebration for the servants and others.”
“Of course. How remiss of me. I’ve never been involved in such an affair before. What do you suggest?”
“I don’t suppose we can arrange a special dinner for the servants tonight, but they could have wine to toast us. Perhaps we should attend the toast. Then a ball in a barn as soon as it can be arranged, and the special dinner. But what of the local dignitaries?”
“Apart from the Fields, there are none nearby and I’ve not gone farther in search of them.”
“Then that will do for now. What of the dowager and Isabella? It feels unnatural to ignore them.”
“And perhaps petty. I’ll invite them to dine with us tonight.”
Kitty didn’t relish that, but she agreed. “Shall I put the rest in hand?”
“I will be very grateful.”
That seemed sincere, and Kitty left in a pleasant halo of purpose. This was the sort of thing he’d married her for, and this she could do.
Chapter 18
Consulting with Henry about appropriate wedding celebrations and then making plans with the Quillers took up most of the rest of the day, but Kitty didn’t have to prepare for a grand dinner. The dowager declined the invitation for herself and Isabella, in brief and without explanation.
Kitty wondered what Isabella thought of that and was tempted to invade the other side of the house to speak to her directly, but she remembered the hostile young woman she’d faced before. She doubted Isabella would appreciate any concern.
If the meal would be only for herself and Braydon, they would eat in the small dining room, and though she was hungry, she wanted nothing grand. She summoned the cook to her boudoir and discussed matters.
The woman was guarded, but perhaps not hostile. When Kitty explained that she wanted the servants to enjoy some treats tonight, the cook suggested that beefsteaks could be cut from a sirloin joint.
Kitty suspected that she was supposed to balk at that, but she agreed. “And for dessert?” she asked.
“There’s a suet pudding cooking, ma’am.”
“Then we won’t waste it, but are there any little treats that would finish up the meal?”
“There’s some nice cheeses in the larder, ma’am, butto speak plainly, most of the servants wouldn’t appreciate them. They prefer sweet to savory. Er... there are the candied fruits, ma’am.”
“Yes?”
“The dowager Lady Dauntry is particularly fond of those, ma’am.”
Kitty sensed another test. “I presume we can obtain more. Very well. A small piece to go with the wine. Would the servants prefer a sweeter wine?”
“Yes, ma’am, most of them.”
“I’ll consult Lord Dauntry about that.”
Kitty sent the cook on her way, then hurried to talk to Braydon.
“You want to serve my finest port to the servants?”
“Do you count the cost of ammunition, sir?”
“Always, but you’re right. However, may I suggest a punch? Rum, brandy, and such, as sweet as you like.”
She smiled. “Brilliant! We’ll overrun them entirely.”
He took her hand, a smile in his eyes. “Tell me you’re enjoying this as much as it seems.”
“I am. I enjoy a challenge.”
