At last, Miss Meyer entered the dining room.
“Miss Meyer!” Cecilia chirped.
“I am sorry that I took so long, Your Grace and dear Lady Cecilia. It was pointed out to me that I had better freshen up after all of that running around in the kitchen.”
Politely, Anthony replied, “Not at all, Miss Meyer. Cecilia and I would have happily waited all day if needed. Please, do have a seat.”
The servants brought in the food. The wonderful smell delighted Cecilia’s nostrils. She began to feel quite proud of Miss Meyer. Based on its appearance alone, the food was sure to be scrumptious.
Miss Meyer watched as the siblings inspected the food. “Your Grace, I hope you’ll forgive the simplicity of today’s meal. I am sure it is nothing like Mrs. Mullens’ exquisite cooking, but I believe you will find this dish—shirred eggs—along with our soup, quite filling.”
“Quite frankly, Miss Meyer, I believe I speak for both myself and Cecilia when I say that as simple as this meal may be, she and I would have been unable to do even this much on our own. We both thank you wholeheartedly.”
At last, Cecilia took the first bite of her eggs. It was even more heavenly than she had anticipated. She looked at her brother and found a similar expression written on his face.
Maybe this is a fresh start after all.
* * *
With luncheon a success, Meredith could officially breathe a sigh of relief. But inwardly she groaned.
I shall have to come up with something for dinner as well.
One thing was sure, Meredith was most glad that she was not expected to do this every day. According to Ella, Mrs. Mullens had been able to keep this up for decades. Meredith shuddered.
I know I certainly would not have lasted as long.
“Miss Meyer, what time shall we have today’s lesson?” inquired Lady Cecilia.
To Meredith’s surprise, His Grace stepped in on her behalf. “Now, Cecilia, perhaps it would be best to let Miss Meyer rest so that she can focus on overseeing dinner tonight.”
After initially appearing dejected by this, Lady Cecilia lit up once more. “Then please may I watch Miss Meyer in the kitchen, Brother? I am so terribly curious about how she managed to prepare all of this.”
“I don’t know, Cecilia. You don’t belong in the kitchen for a number of reasons, including the fact that you are still quite young. The kitchen would be very dangerous for you, you know, knives and fire and whatnot.”
Mr. Fletcher entered the dining room.
“Ah, I see you have returned from town, Fletcher. Any success?”
“No, Your Grace. I did register in the book, but the office said it could be a few days more until we find a suitable candidate. I also need to inform you that Lord Farellshire and Lord Gillinghamshire arrived at almost the same time as I.”
“Here? What on earth for? I hope they do not intend to have luncheon with us when they know quite well that we do not have a head chef at the moment.”
“No, Your Grace. Lord Gillinghamshire said that he found a candidate for the position. He and Lord Farellshire are here to present him to you.”
Standing up from his seat, the Duke thanked Meredith once more for the meal.
“Right. If you’ll excuse me, Miss Meyer, Cecilia. I must attend to this matter at once.”
“It looks like you need not fret about tonight’s meal, Miss Meyer. But I still think it necessary that you rest this afternoon. So please do not feel obligated to teach. If it suits you, you may go into the garden with Cecilia.”
“Or may we go with you, Brother?”
* * *
“This is Isaac Tulk. He is my head chef’s cousin. And according to him, Mr. Tulk is a master of food. I guess the talent of conjuring good food runs in their family,” chuckled Colin.
Kenneth was eagerly conversing with Cecilia and Miss Meyer at the opposite side of the study, while Anthony interviewed Colin’s candidate.
