“I commend you all for your hard work putting this kitchen back in working order. And Luigi, the garden is lovely. I can see it is well cared for, and I look forward to creating delicious dishes from its bounty. Angelina and Maria, I’ll need you to show me where everything is stored and what is on hand in the root cellar and pantry.” Gaby looked around at the trio of excited faces and smiled. “Now, roll up your sleeves, and let’s get to work!”
It felt good to lose herself in cooking and have little time to feel sorry for herself. Gabriella let her passion take over and pushed the Marco Allegretto and Iris Bellerose mystery to the back burner. She’d made a promise to Lady Darling, and she would work her butt off to make sure the dinner party went off without a hitch.
The kitchen was her domain, and just being there restored her confidence. All the ingredients were fresh, and with gentle suggestions to her staff, she implemented a new set of rules on proper food handling, storage, and preparation. She found no resistance from the staff when she put her knowledge from the future into action. Though they looked at her with curiosity, they understood that everycapohad their own way of doing things.
Gabriella went to the garden, snipped sprigs from the fragrant sage growing there, and added them to her basket. She also dug up several large, bright gourds of butternut squash that she planned to roast in the oven to use as a filling for hand-cut gnocchi dressed in butter and sage for the first course. For the main course, she’d decided on comfort food, a dish for which her nonna and mom were famous. A chicken cacciatore flavored with onions, garlic, red and yellow peppers, carrots, mushrooms, black olives, basil, thyme, parsley, and oregano. It made you want to scoop up the rich, rustic sauce with warm, crusty bread.
She was excited and a little nervous about dinner. She wanted to please Lady Darling, and if she were being completely honest with herself, she wanted to please Jack too. Cooking for friends and family had always brought her joy, but she’d always secretly dreamed of cooking for the man she loved. Perhaps that was a foolish and old-fashioned notion; nevertheless, it was how she felt. She hoped that Jack was as passionate about food as she was. Or at least passionate about eating her cooking.
Gabriella fanned her face at the thought of Jack showing her the depth of passion she’d glimpsed in those smoldering eyes. She’d known him less than a day but felt instant sparks every time he looked at her, not to mention the rush of heat when he’d held her in his arms.
Gabriella looked up, hearing the approach of horses’ hooves and coach wheels on gravel. The carriage stopped, and a tall man with white hair brushed back from his high forehead, and a perfectly groomed white mustache, descended. Even from a distance, Gabriella could see he was elegantly dressed in an impeccably tailored three-piece suit, with a white-winged collared shirt and blue silk tie. His eyes twinkled as he watched Lady Darling come down the steps to welcome him, her hands extended in greeting.
The dapper man took her hands and kissed her knuckles. “Katherine, it has been too long since I’ve seen you.” His smile dazzled against the glow of his golden tan.
“Stefano, welcome to Nido dell’ Aquila. I am so happy to see you. I’ve looked forward to your visit.”
“Ah,si, the gallery has kept me away for too long, but we will make amends. Has Signora Shipley arrived yet?”
“No, but I received a telegram from Constance yesterday, and I expect her and the other guests tomorrow. But tonight, we will share a more intimate dinner, and you can fill me in on everything happening in Florence.”
“The steel workers strike that crippled Florence and beyond is over, thank God. It reminds us that we are all beholden to the worker. I am of the opinion that they should be recompensed commensurably for their efforts.” Stefano looked around and asked, “And where is Jack?”
Kitty waved her hands dismissively. “I find myself uttering those exact words countless times a day. Where is Jack? Gone to Piombino on some fool errand. I tell you, Stefano, you must have a talk with my nephew. I’m beside myself with worry for him. He promised to return for dinner, so you’ll have an opportunity to pound some sense into him. Come inside, and we will have tea while your things are delivered to your rooms.”
Stefano patted his stomach. “Refreshments would be welcome. Don’t worry; I’ll have a heart-to-heart talk with him. If only I could have spoken to his father, may he rest in peace, before he made such a rash and ill-advised decision.”
“That is precisely why I’m so glad to have you here—that and my undying affection. My brother was a fool who listened to fools, and now Jack is paying the price. He is not dealing well with the situation, and I’m afraid it has made him bristly and cantankerous.” Kitty linked her arm through Stefano’s and led him into the villa. “Hopefully, you will help us set things right.”
The conversation between Stefano and Kitty lingered in Gaby’s mind. She felt guilty at eavesdropping on their conversation, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her. Thank goodness the lush lemon trees and the profusion of vegetables growing in the garden had given her cover.
Gaby sensed Jack’s trip to Piombino had something to do with her, because he’d asked her if she was from there. Maybe she was giving herself too much credit, as it wasn’t likely she took up much space in Jack’s thoughts.
Considering what Lady Darling had said to Stefano Bardino, she couldn’t help but be curious about what Jack had done to warrant such punishment from his father. Whatever it was, it had cost him dearly and provoked his courtship of the Cynthia woman.
A shot of jealousy coursed through Gaby at the thought of Jack marrying the heiress, and she tried to shake it off. But she couldn’t help wondering why Jack’s father had disowned him. What had Jack been accused of that his father would strip him of his title and inheritance? Given how much Lady Darling adored her nephew, it was somewhat perplexing that his own father would believe unfounded accusations.
Gaby shook her head as she gathered the herbs she needed for dinner. She didn’t have time to ponder all the questions percolating in her head, as there was too much to do before dinner was served. She slipped the shears into her overflowing basket and headed back to the kitchen.
Chapter Seven
Maremma, Italy
October 17, 1902
Stefano wiped hismouth, sat back in his chair, patted his stomach, and sighed. “Whoever is cooking in the kitchen has golden hands. This meal wassquisito.”
Aunt Kitty beamed. “I agree. It was a splendid meal.”
Jack stared down at his empty plate, wishing Gaby had joined them for dinner. Stefano was right—everything had been delicious. The cacciatore was spectacular, but the soft pillows of gnocchi had stolen his heart, or rather, the beautiful chef who’d prepared them had stolen it.
His ride to Piombino had been an utter failure. No one there had ever heard of her, nor did they know of any dark-haired woman chef. The only indisputable revelation to be had from today was that Gabriella D’Angelo was a master in the kitchen, which only gave rise to more questions.
Tomorrow Cynthia Maxwell would arrive, and he would be expected to entertain her when all he wanted to do was spend time with Gaby. His instincts told him that the only way he could find out about Gaby was from Gaby herself.
Gaby. He didn’t know when he’d started thinking of her as Gaby and not Gabriella, but the nickname had come to mind as Jack rode back to Aunt Kitty’s, and he’d found himself whispering it aloud, as if his lips were pressed to her ear in a moment of passion. God, he was acting like some lovesick schoolboy. He’d never been ruled by such foolish notions before.
He raised his glass and finished his claret, hoping the conversation would turn elsewhere.
