A Mistress for Stansted Hall Read Free Page B

is an omelette, new potatoes with parsley and butter and fresh beans and salad leaves. There are strawberries and cream and baked peaches for dessert.’ He was leaning forward staring at the meal. ‘I'm afraid I have no idea where you keep the key to the wine cellar. I would have asked your butler, but he has mysteriously disappeared like the rest of your staff.’
    ‘Mrs Reed, you are indeed a miracle worker. From an empty pantry you have produced a meal fit for a king. Foster will be skulking in his pantry, bang on the door and demand that he fetches me a bottle of claret.’
    She curtsied neatly and whisked from the room. He hadn't disagreed with her suggestion that she send for provisions, maybe he was more sanguine about her staying now that she had proved her value by producing a delicious meal.
    When she carried a similar meal into the butler's domain he stared at it wide-eyed. ‘Is this for me, Mrs Reed? I'd no idea you were cooking. Has the master got the same?’
    ‘Indeed he has Mr Foster. He is desirous of having a bottle of claret to go with it, I should be happy to take it to him if you will tell me where I can find it.’
    He dropped the cloth over his food. ‘Certainly not, I shall fetch it myself. You feed your little ones, I shall take care of the master. He's not had a decent meal since the last housekeeper left six months ago.’ He nodded and seemed somehow to grow taller. ‘It's my task to fetch and carry for the master until we have more servants. You take care of the kitchen, Mrs Reed, leave the serving to me.’
    ‘Mr Bucknall gave me a month's wages in lieu of notice, as I'm not intending to leave, do you think it would be in order to spend it on necessary provisions?’
    ‘An excellent notion. I cannot tell you how pleased I am that you are here. For the first time since the fire I believe we might have turned a corner. That the master is finally able to move on.’ He looked longingly at his supper getting cold on the tray. He continued as he moved into the corridor. ‘Losing his wife and baby all but destroyed him, he used not to be a recluse. This was a happy house, house parties, garden parties, full of sunshine and laughter.’
    Emma did not like to disabuse the old man, her arrival had not promoted change of any sort in Mr Bucknall. All she had done was prepare them all a decent meal, she had not been employed as cook, but was quite happy to take on that role until someone else could be appointed.
    Jack and Mary had devoured their supper by the time she returned to the kitchen. It was a matter of moments to make herself an omelette with the remaining eggs. ‘Would you like any more potatoes? They are quite delicious, it's a long time since I've had vegetables as fresh and tasty as these.’
    It was after six o'clock before dessert was finished. There had been sufficient coffee to grind and prepare a jug for her employer. Mr Foster came in carrying the tray from the study. ‘Clean as a whistle. The master's eaten every scrap, and so, Mrs Reed, shall I.’
    ‘Have you not eaten yours yet? Please, Mr Foster, eat it before it is unpalatable. I shall take the coffee through.’ She smiled at her children. ‘You may get down from the table, my loves. Fred said you may go and see the new calf. Do you think you can find the dairy on your own?’
    They vanished before her final words were finished. Smiling, she picked up the tray, checking the silver coffee pot, creamer and sugar bowl no longer looked dingy and unloved, and headed for the study. The early evening sunshine poured in through the rotunda above the central entrance hall making an intricate pattern on the black and white tiles. Unfortunately it also showed up the cobwebs, dirt and lack of polish.
    She paused to gaze around. This could be a lovely house again given the proper attention. However, it would need a dozen indoor servants just to begin cleaning and several footmen would be needed to reach the lofty ceilings. Would Mr