Evelyn searched for the right words. “Not doing as well as could be desired, Your Grace. I fear it will be some time before he can return to his duties.”
“Do not fret on that account. We shall not turn him out of doors for being ill, Mrs. Swinton. But a cook who can prepare a decent meal, even if it is plain, country cooking, we must have. I cannot think what Darrius was thinking to send these two.”
“Perhaps he was unaware of their lack of skill,” Evelyn commented. “If they had been working as undercooks at the estate manor house, perhaps they have never had full charge of a kitchen.”
“That could be, but Mrs. Swinton, how many cooks does my son need? he is a bachelor, and rarely entertains.”
“Perhaps that is also an answer, Your Grace. In all events, Betty will be back soon with news for us. While I do not mind cooking for the two of us, I believe the whole house would be happier with better food.”
“Truer words were never said, Mrs. Swinton.”
“Would you like for me to read to you, Your Grace?”
“My correspondence, yes, if you would please. I tried to make sense of it, but my eyes are not what they once were, and the letters all seem to turn into blobs no matter how I turn them about. “
Evelyn obligingly settled down with the stack of correspondence, handbills, and papers that threatened to tumble over and inundate the tea table.
She and the Duchess were thus pleasantly engaged when Dr. Alton came bustling in. “What news?” the Duchess asked.
“I will tell you as soon as I have any to impart,” Dr. Alton said. “I have not yet been in to see Mr. Rudge. The carpenter is here, and is doing the fine measurements for Mr. McElroy’s leg. I will go down directly and help with the final padding and fitting.”
“He will be glad of that,” the Duchess commented. “I’m sure it has been difficult for him, not being able to get about as he is used to do.”
“Very true, Your Grace. And having his recently injured arm bruised and over-stressed has not improved the situation. It is my hope to have everyone feeling better by the end of the day. Now, how are you doing?”
With utmost respect, the physician turned up the hem of the Duchess’ gown to have a better look at her ankles. Her feet had swollen until they were almost chubby clubs. Evelyn had elected to not try to slip them into shoes, but had protected them from drafts with a pair of over-sized stockings.
“Tsk, tsk,” Dr. Alton clicked his tongue at the sight. “This is not at all good. Are you sticking to you diet?”
“It has been difficult,” Evelyn quickly put in. “The new cooks are not at all up to Mr. Rudge’s standards. Will we soon be able to have Jemmy back, at least?”
“I’ll look in on him before I go back to the village. But unless something untoward has happened between now and yesterday, he should be able to take up his duties tomorrow.”
“It is good to know that he is getting on so well,” Evelyn said. “I fear those two cooks are going to prove a severe trial to him, however.”
“Betty Bates and her mother came up the hill with me. It is my understanding that you are engaging Mrs. Bates to at least cook for the Duchess?”
“That is my plan,” the Duchess said. “Betty made the morning porridge. She has no idea how to cook for one, but the porridge was delicious. There was such a copious amount, there is probably a bowl or two left if you wish to try it.”
“I had a country breakfast at the inn before coming up the hill, but I’ll taste it before I leave. Mrs. Bates will be a good choice as cook for you. Her dishes are by no means the gourmet offerings prepared by Mr. Rudge, but she has good comprehension of taste and substance. She also knows how to cook according to directions.”
“That is good to know,” Evelyn said, with some relief.
“Now, we need to get the swelling down in these feet. Alternate cold cloths with hot. That will stimulate the flow of blood to her feet, and hopefully carry off some of the swelling. At the very least, it should make the Duchess more comfortable.”
“I am right here,” the Duchess said crossly. “Do not speak over my head to my companion, as if I were a child.”
“We all know that you are a lady of great wit and wisdom,” Dr. Alton said soothingly. “But Mrs. Swinton will need to carry out my directions.”
“Very well, but mind that you have a care about these things,” the Duchess sniped at him. “I am in no mood for nonsense.”
“I can certainly see why. Now, I will go down the hall and see Mr. Rudge and Mr. McElroy, and see if we can allow Jemmy back to his duties. Would you like for me to send anyone to you as I go about my business?”
“Indeed I would! Send up those two cooks. I’ve a good mind to dismiss them out of hand, but I will see them and discover if it is possible to talk sense to either of them.”
“I will be glad to do that,” Dr. Alton said, a twinkle in his eye. “I wish I had time to stay and see the show, but I must get back to the village as quickly as I may. The vicar’s wife is expecting her first, and she is in a great taking, even though the midwife is with her.”
The Duchess sighed. “One does miss the old vicar. But everyone ages, and it is not surprising that he would want to spend the rest of his days in quiet comfort. The youngster does give a rousing sermon.”