“I suppose we can do without,” Beth said with reluctance.
Well, this situation must be dealt with immediately, Lavinia thought to herself as she continued down the stairs and into the dining room where her servants had gathered.
“First of all, I do not need a Christmas pudding.”
The maids dipped into a deep curtsey.
“My apologies, Lady Teviot,” Beth murmured.
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Lavinia insisted. “None of you had any warning that I would be spending my holiday here and it is unfair of me to ask you to upset your plans on my behalf.” At one time she may have expected them to remain at their duties despite the day, with only time off for Boxing Day as was tradition. But so much had changed in just a few short days. She had changed.
“All I ask is that food is prepared so that I might have meals to enjoy on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.” She then frowned. “If food can be kept for so long.”
“It is not wise to do so,” Mrs. Trenton said.
“I do not want your holiday to be upset because I am here. In fact, I prefer to be alone.”
The maids and Mrs. Trenton glanced at each other.
“Might I offer a solution, though I mean no disrespect,” Sarah said. “If we are allowed to spend the holiday together, a picnic basket with the foodstuffs can be delivered to you each day.”
“It would be no hardship to cook the extra food and I know that one of the men would not mind bringing it to you,” the cook offered, who Lavinia had not even noticed standing by the door that led to the kitchen. As she was the sister of Mrs. Trenton, no doubt she also wanted to be with family.
“I do not like the idea of you being alone,” Mrs. Trenton stated. “Especially at Christmas.”
“Yet, I wish to be. It is the reason that I came here.” Lavinia found herself smiling at the very idea of having three days in the cottage without anyone else about. She would truly be alone for the first time in her life, except for when Demetrius visited.
“Spend it as you had planned, please. Though, I am certain Mr. Valentine would welcome the meals as well because I am fairly certain that neither one of us can manage anything beyond applying jam to already baked bread and brewing tea.”
The daughters laughed quietly and Mrs. Trenton came forward. “Are you certain, Lady Teviot?”
She looked the housekeeper in the eye. “I have never been more certain of anything in my life. Please, for me, enjoy Christmas with your family as planned.”
“The plan was to leave this evening after we cleaned up from supper so that we can rise early enough tomorrow to see to putting out the greenery and begin cooking.” She smiled at her daughters. “And to share time together.”
“Then that is what you shall do,” Lavinia promised. “And I do not expect to see you until the morning of the twenty-seventh.”
“Thank you, Lady Teviot.”
And in that moment, she noted tears in the older woman’s eyes, which made Lavinia even more certain that this was what she wanted.
However, it also reminded her of something that she had failed to plan for. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must go into town. I hope not to be long.”
“What of breaking your fast?” Sarah asked.
Lavinia had completely forgotten why she had come down the stairs to begin with. “How could I have forgotten?” With that, she made her way to her place at the table then sipped tea and made plans until her breakfast was placed before her.
The next few days were going to be glorious indeed.
When Max barked and jumped at the front door, Demetrius peeked out the windows to see if he might have a visitor, though Max had not done so when any of the women seeking the position had called on him to interview. However, as soon as he saw that it was Lavinia and that she was walking down the drive, he quickly pulled on his coat and stepped outside.
Max rushed past him, and Demetrius feared that he might jump on her again, but Lavinia turned, held out a hand and arched a brow. Max immediately sat at her feet.
All he could do was shake his head because no matter how much he tried to train Max, the dog did not respond. Yet, a simple look of warning from Lavinia made him the most obedient dog.
“Are you walking into town?” he asked as he came forward.
“Yes. Would you care to join me?”
