“It’s as if the whole world has become topsy-turvy,” the lawyer declared, getting up to help himself to the hot breakfast, which was now set upon the sideboard.
Unpleasant fellow, Henry thought. On the other hand, he must be getting under his skin. Maybe the man would leave of his own accord.
“We have made coffee,” Henry told them all. “Good coffee. I invite you to add milk and sugar, as you like.”
Having worked up an appetite, he filled a plate for himself, piled high with the good country breakfast, and took the seat next to Amity’s chair, which Charlotte had been sitting in before she stood up to get her own plate.
When the sisters returned, they both paused. Charlotte took another seat, saying nothing, while Amity shot him a sidelong glance, pursing her lips.
The game was on!
“What a beautiful morning we have awakened to,” Henry proclaimed. “What do you normally do on such a day in the country?”
Charlotte spoke first. “I might go for a ride. We have some beautiful views on the property.”
Henry nodded, waiting for Amity to declare her intentions.
“I am glad the weather has cleared up for your journey home,” she said firmly.
So, she was going to persist in dismissing him along with his suit. That was no matter. No one threw out a duke, not unless the duke wanted to be thrown.
“Since I could see very little yesterday due to the weather, and it looks so promising today, I’ve decided to stay longer. I have no pressing business in Town. If that’s all right with you, Mr. Foure?”
“Yes, of course,” her father said almost distractedly as he prepared and stirred his coffee. “First taste,” he said, and did so. “Ah! Quite delicious.” Looking around to see the others’ reactions, he asked, “Mr. Cole, what do you think?”
The lawyer had pointedly eschewed the coffee for a cup of tea. Sighing, Mr. Cole took another teacup from the center of the table and poured himself some coffee. He bothered neither with milk nor sugar, sipped, and shrugged.
“Like every cup I’ve had in a coffeehouse,” he said.
Wretched man, Henry thought.
Mr. Foure didn’t appreciate the answer either. “You should add the sugar and milk as His Grace instructed. I can even imagine how a spot of cocoa powder might be quite nice stirred in, if not chocolate itself, grated and left to melt.”
Henry startled, noticing Amity did, too. They glanced at each other with excitement. She reached for the coffee urn, but Henry beat her to it and poured some into her half-empty cup of hot chocolate. She stirred it, sipped, and smiled.
“It’s wonderful. Father, you are a genius.”
Apparently without even thinking of the impropriety of sharing a cup, she turned to Henry. “You must taste it. I know you will love it.”
Smiling with satisfaction, he took the proffered cup from her delicate fingers and raised it to his mouth, sipping from the place where her lips had touched. He couldn’t help sparing a glance for Mr. Cole, who looked positively gray.
Tasting the blended beverage, Henry’s tongue was overjoyed. He closed his eyes. When he opened them, he saw everyone was looking at him.
“It’s perfect,” he declared, taking another sip and returning the cup to Amity’s outstretched hand. She was too excited by the new discovery to do anything except snatch it from him and drink from the same cup.
“It is, isn’t it? We cannot put coffee grounds into cocoa powder since it won’t taste right unless the coffee is already brewed, but we could start to sell our own cocoa with instructions to add it to freshly brewed coffee. What do you think, Mother?”
Unfortunately, Mrs. Rare-Foure frowned and shook her head. “I think people will still buy Cadbury’s, Fry’s, or one of the hundred other cocoa powders being produced, since they can make it far more cheaply than we can, which is why we’ve never sold it,” she added, looking at Henry. He was pleased to be included in the discussion.
“I think it’s best we stick to confectionery,” Mrs. Rare-Foure said, “and start selling the coffee-flavored chocolates Amity created. If people love them, we could provide extra value by including a small printed card with instructions on blending the perfect coffee chocolate beverage.” She turned to Charlotte. “You can put a card in the bag with the ... what are they called?”
Amity cleared her throat and glanced at Henry, then her cheeks went a becoming shade of pink. “I call themPelhams. Unsurprisingly.”
“Brilliant,” Mrs. Rare-Foure said. “Your Grace, you do understand if we call the new chocolate by your name, you will be considered by the public to be a patron of our shop, as well as endorsing the chocolate itself.”
“I am honored,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant, while being secretly thrilled about the whole connection.
Especially when he looked at Mr. Cole who was decidedly not thrilled!
