The main floor of the house included a spacious formal parlor and equally spacious dining room that must have served as the old banqueting hall centuries ago.There was also a library, a billiards room, a music room that was large enough to serve as a ballroom, and a visitor’s salon just off the entry hall.The main hallways held portraits of the prior dukes dating back at least five hundred years.
Tulip paused in front of the portrait of Alex’s grandfather to study it closely because his grandfather bore such a striking resemblance to Alex even down to the cut of his jaw and the sharp look in his dark eyes.
And yet, these two men were so different in character, one debauched and the other valorous.
She shook out of the thought and moved on with Mrs.Granger who now showed her two rooms of more practical use for her and Alex.These were a small dining room and a cozy lady’s parlor that were far more inviting and would be much easier to heat once the cold weather arrived.
“We refer to these as the winter dining room and the winter parlor,” Mrs.Granger remarked a moment later.
“I think we will use these smaller rooms throughout the year.My husband and I will not be ready to host formal dinners or other entertainments for a while yet.In truth, I do not see us hosting at all except for one dinner party for my friends and family.I hope to attend to this within the month.But for our daily routine, it makes no sense for the two of us to take our meals at a table large enough to fit a small army.”
“As you wish,” Mrs.Granger said with a nod.
Alex’s study was also on the main floor, but his door was closed and Tulip did not want to disturb him.“We’ll stop in here last.I’ll have a look at the kitchen next.”
“Very well, Your Grace.”Mrs.Granger led her down a drab hallway that was long and narrow.
Tulip met the Thornwycke Hall cook, a surly woman by the name of Mrs.Crabbe.The name suited her, for she was short-tempered with her scullery maids and did not smile at all while they were being introduced or while giving Tulip a brief tour of the kitchen and pantry which was surprisingly well stocked for a manor house that was lived in by depraved dukes.
Well, Tulip supposed even depraved dukes had to eat.
And would they not be likely to hold extravagant parties?
“What are you preparing for supper?”Tulip asked, intrigued by the heavenly aroma emanating from the pot on the fire.
“I thought a hearty lamb stew would serve ye for this evening, Yer Grace.I’ve also made some fresh bread and an apple pie.”
Tulip smiled at the cook.“Sounds perfect.I am quite impressed with your excellent kitchen.”
The woman’s lips did not so much as twitch at the corners to acknowledge the compliment, not even the hint of a smile.
Honestly, what a crab!
“I am certain His Grace will enjoy the meal,” Tulip said, still holding out hope of a cheerful conversation from the woman.“I’ll sit with Mrs.Granger tomorrow morning to go over the menus for the week.Please do let her know if you have any suggestions for us.I would appreciate your comments.”
The woman’s face remained expressionless.“Very well, Yer Grace.”
Goodness, how did people do this?
Alex was good at this, too.This ability to look completely blank, so no one had any idea what he was thinking.
“As you may have heard, I was raised in Somerset.In Burnham, to be precise.My family resides there.Do you know the Hesters?”
“Can’t say as I do, Yer Grace.”
“We’ll have them over as soon as His Grace and I get organized.How much notice will you need to prepare for guests?I also intend to hold afternoon teas for my friends and involve myself in social activities, and in the various clubs and church events held locally.But those won’t be for a few months yet.”
“Three day’s notice is all I need, Yer Grace.Unless ye have special requests and I might then have to send to Bath or Taunton for any comestibles I cannot obtain nearby.I would need at least a week for those situations.”
“Fair enough, Mrs.Crabbe.”
“When do ye wish to dine tonight?And will ye wish to dine at a similar hour every night?I’ll need yer schedule for the other meals.”
“Let me ask His Grace about his preference.”She turned to the housekeeper.“Shall we move on to the study?I think we’ve given the men enough time to discuss their pressing issues.”
“Very good, Your Grace.”
Were it up to Tulip, she would have run to the study and poked her head in to ask Alex what hour he liked to dine, and then run back to tell the cook.But Dillie had warned her about the protocol of a large house.The lady of the house spoke to the housekeeper who in turn delivered the instructions to the cook.
