‘Nonsense, I’d love to teach you,’ Kiri said, with a smile. ‘Come, lend me a hand. We’ll need some herbs from the garden first.’
Sonya followed Kiri outside. The garden was modestly sized, surrounded by a simple wooden fence along the border, with two chairs with chipped white paint sat in the center. Dania skipping behind her, Sonya went with Kiri through the overgrown grass to the section of herbs on the side, which was full of different types of greenery. Sonya couldn’t tell one plant from another, but Kiri showed her the different patterns of the leaves, though it was a bit difficult to see with the sunlight fading so fast.
‘Use your nose,’ Kiri advised. She held up a thin sprig, and Sonya could tell it was rosemary. Kiri harvested some thyme and sage, as well as some parsley. Sonya tried to remember which was which, but Kiri was right—it was easiest if she used her nose. Arabella used to say something similar.
After collecting the herbs, they returned to the kitchen, where Sonya washed and chopped the herbs while Kiri cleaned the chicken. Then, Kiri made a butter mix and rubbed it across the chicken while Sonya peeled and cut the vegetables. She was really very tired by then—it had been a long day!—but the task ahead of her was one she did not want to abandon. She did not stop until dinner was nearly finished, and the entire cottage smelled perfectly divine.
Kiri was just pulling the roasted chicken and potatoes from the oven when Azam entered through the door. Seeing him again senta little jolt through Sonya, and he truly was just as handsome as he had been that morning, despite the fact that he looked exhausted and even a bit troubled.
He stopped in his tracks, his jaw dropping open, brown eyes wide. Sonya wondered what was wrong and worry pulsed through her, until his gaze fell to her.
‘This place looks incredible!’ he cried, astonished. ‘I thought it would take you a week, at least.’
Relief flowed through her. She smiled. ‘Well, I haven’t done the upstairs, yet.’
‘You’re an absolute angel,’ Azam said. Tenderness spread through her, and he came over and squeezed her shoulders, only making the feeling increase in intensity. He kissed Kiri hello.
‘What are you making?’ he asked. ‘I’m starving.’
‘Didn’t eat lunch, did you?’ Kiri asked, tone scolding. Azam let out a long breath, confirming Kiri’s suspicion, then went to sit on the sofa. Dania climbed onto his lap, showing him her doll. Azam petted the doll’s yarn hair.
‘Dinner’s nearly ready,’ Sonya said, setting plates and glasses on the table.
‘Has Kiri got you working as a cook as well as a housekeeper?’ Azam asked, raising a brow.
‘I wanted to!’ Sonya protested, before Kiri could. ‘I enjoy learning.’
Azam smiled at that, then picked Dania up off his lap, sitting her down on the sofa. He came over and helped Sonya finish setting the table, his shoulder brushing against hers. Again, she felt warm, as though she was sitting right by the fire.
Soon thereafter, dinner was served. The chicken was roasted to perfection: crisp brown skin glistening with melted butter and tiny green herbs, on a bed of browned mushrooms, sweet carrots, and hearty potatoes.
They all sat down, filling their plates. It was so different from the way dinner was served at the castle, where each of them would wait to be served by the footmen. This was so much simpler, with less fuss.
‘How was work, darling?’ Kiri asked Azam.
‘Oh, it was fine…’ He trailed off, as if he didn’t wish to talk about it. He was probably very tired.
He shook his head, then turned to Sonya. ‘I want to hear aboutyourday,’ he said, eyes bright. ‘You must have had a right wrestle with all the clutter in here. Did you see any mice?’
She shuddered, making a disgusted face, and Azam laughed. Kiri hit his arm. ‘Don’t tease.’ She turned to Sonya. ‘Don’t worry, we don’t have any mice here. Our neighbor’s got a cat, and she takes care of any mice that wander this way.’
‘Good,’ Sonya said. She really did not like mice. ‘And, yes, I did have a bit of a wrestle with all the clutter, but it wasn’t too horrible. I enjoyed it, actually.’
‘Wonderful! Did that take the entire day?’ Azam asked.
‘Just about,’ Sonya said. ‘But then we went to the market.’
‘I helped with the groceries!’ Dania said.
‘She did very well,’ Kiri confirmed, and Dania smiled to herself, stuffing a potato in her mouth. ‘Sonya, I forgot to ask, but did you find anything you liked at the bookshop?’
‘You went to the bookshop?’ Azam asked.
‘Yes,’ Sonya said to Azam, and then to Kiri: ‘And yes, but I was only looking. I did meet Winnie, though.’
‘Winnie is a character.’ Azam snorted. ‘We went to school together.’
‘I could tell,’ Sonya said, smiling. ‘She threatened to wear someone’s intestines as a necklace!’
