“I was just about to send someone to ask you when you’d like a tray,” Cook said.
“I’d like it in my room as soon as it’s ready and for dessert I’d like a piece of your chocolate cake. His Grace said to ask you because it’s so delicious.”
The older woman smiled. Harriet thought the woman was remembering times when Arthur was considerably younger. “Yes, it’s one of his favorites.”
“You’ve been with His Grace for many years I understand.”
“Yes, my mother worked for the family as well. I grew up on the country estate and started working in the kitchens as a girl,” the woman replied.
Harriet nodded and started to turn. “I’ll not keep you. I just wanted to inform you where I’d like to eat.”
“Very well, Lady Harriet.”
Harriet made her way to her rooms and found her maid in the dressing area putting away gowns she had just pressed. “Did this come from the modiste?”
“Yes.” The girl nodded.
“Show me what she sent.”
A moment later Harriet found herself looking at two elaborate gowns, one in a foamy light green and a second in periwinkle blue. Both took her breath away and she couldn’t wait to wear them, nor could she wait for Lucien to see her in them. She nodded to the maid to put them up. Returning to the sitting room she sat down on a dark-green chair while she waited on her meal. Her relationship with Lucien was new and she was looking forward to learning about the man since they shared so much in common. Where would he take her next or would they spend some quiet time getting to know each other? She had the feeling that until the Prince of Wales’s railcar was finished to the prince’s specifications, she would have to be patient. He was a prince, and she was a mere mortal and since he expected he was more important than any other client, she would have to sit back and bite her tongue. How many other people she knew could saythey had the prince as a client? None, she imagined. Her mother would be impressed with that.
Hearing a knock at the door, Harriet stood up and walked towards the door. Two footmen stood on the other side with a brass trolley and her dinner. She showed them to a table that sat against one of the windows. Plates were uncovered revealing her meal. As soon as the two left she sat down at the table. There was asparagus, fresh potatoes, onions, and carrots all cooked to perfection. A small roasted and sliced hen sat on another plate. There was a basket of rolls along with a bottle of wine and piece of chocolate cake. It was more than she thought she’d receive but was grateful for the meal.
She took some of each to try. The asparagus had been baked a lot less than the potatoes, carrots, and onions. Everything was perfect. She then poured a glass of wine and continued to consume her meal. Deciding she had had enough, she picked up the generous portion of cake that sat on its own plate. Daphne was right. The cake was something to behold. She’d never had such a rich piece of cake. She could see why Arthur loved it. She knew the cook would never give away the recipe for the cake. She’d have to find another recipe for it. Or maybe it was something simple like the type of chocolate used. She’d figure it out.
A knock on the door leading to the dressing area opened, and the maid called out to her. “I apologize, milady. This came for you just now.”
“Thank you,” Harriet replied. As she began to open the envelope, she noted the maid was still in the room. “Is there someone waiting for a response? If not, you may go.”
“No, there’s no one waiting. Just told to make sure you got it.”
Harriet opened and unfolded the letter. She was not sure of the sender, but once she began reading, she realized it was fromLucien. He apologized for having disappeared earlier like he did. Explaining that it was the prince who’d manipulated his time by wanting to go through the car, showing Lucien what and why he wanted things redone. The Prince of Wales also wanted to take a test run in the railroad coach to see how smooth it rode. They’d be leaving in the morning after next and head towards Scotland, weather permitting.
Lucien mentioned his mother invited them both to tea. She was anxious to meet Harriet and thought tea would be easier on Harriet’s nerves than dinner would be. Harriet nodded to no one in agreement and continued reading. Lucien would let her know what time his mother would want them for tea.
She would have to pick what she’d wear. The two gowns she’d seen earlier might work. The fabric was cool and would make things comfortable. Harriet was excited as she had never done this before. Oh, she’d been to teas with her mother, but had always disappeared into the background. Going to tea with Lucien to introduce her to his mother meant she would have to shine and make a good impression. This woman could possibly be her future mother-in-law.
*
Waking to thesound of her maid opening the drapes, Harriet groaned and turned away from the window. Surprisingly she wasn’t greeted by the bright sunshine; instead, she awoke to the sound of rain hitting the window. An even better reason to remain in bed until later.
“Lady Harriet, flowers arrived for you. If I didn’t know better, I’d say they’re from Lord Lucien,” her maid Rex said with a sly grin on her face.
“Where are they?”
“In your sitting room.”
Throwing her legs over the side of the bed, Harriet stood and accepted a pale-pink robe her maid handed to her. As she walked through the bed chamber, Harriet cinched the robe shut. In front of her on a large marble-topped table was a huge vase of flowers. Tulips greeted her in a variety of shades of purple, pink and white.
There was an envelope with a card. Lucien certainly knew how to make himself shine. He’d returned late last night and wanted to call on her this afternoon. That made her smile.
She turned to her maid. “Why don’t we have these moved downstairs where they can be enjoyed by others. There are several places I can think they’d be placed.” Taking the note, she placed it in the pocket of her robe. She’d put it somewhere private when she was alone.
Harriet turned and left her sitting room for the dressing room and bathing chamber. “I’d like to take a bath before I dress. While I’m doing that, please make sure the pale-mauve dress is pressed and ready for me to wear.”
“Yes, milady.”
She watched as the maid disappeared into the closet and she continued to the bathing chamber. Cracking the faucet for the hot water, Harriet gathered towels, sponges, soap, and anything else she knew she’d want. She put her hand in the water and turned the cold on and closed most of the hot water. Once she undressed, she immersed her body into the water. It felt so good that she sank farther into the tub.
