When the dust had cleared, the cook rested unconscious at the bottom of the stairs, Marcellus stood by my side, the scullery maid had stopped squeaking, and I surveyed the shabby battlefield I’d won.
“Now what?” Marcellus asked.
“Wash that man’s filth off your hands. We’re making a meal.” Going to the laden baskets that had come so close to escaping the kitchen, I found myself satisfied that this food, at least, was eatable. I gestured the scullery maid closer. “You’re Orsa? Yes? Orsa, are there any clean aprons around here?”
Orsa opened a greasy wooden cupboard against the wall and brought out one clean white apron.
“One for him and a clean one for you, too.” I tied it around my neck and at my waist. “You scrubbed the table well. Can you scrub that big iron pot in which to make soup?”
She nodded.
“Make your arms strong and swift.” I had no wish to poison Cal’s troops. I asked Marcellus, “Do you know how to chop?”
“I’m a soldier. I know how to fix a meal.”
“Good.” I handed him one of the baskets. “I want whatever meats are in there minced.” I dug through the second basket and tossed vegetables on the table: leeks, onions, garlic, cabbage, turnips, green beans, and some marvelous dried mushrooms. I looked up at him. “Is there smoked fat pork?”
“Yes. Pigeon, plucked and cleaned. Chicken, plucked and cleaned. A stag haunch?”
I looked over his shoulder. “We’re in business. Chop the smoked fat pork as fine as you can. In fact, cut all the meats fine. We don’t have much time.” Before we had to feed the men, I meant.
I thought Marcellus might balk at doing as I commanded, but he apparently understood the necessity of putting food into soldiers marching to battle, for he minced meats without comment.
I turned back to the scullery maid. “Orsa, as soon as you’re done cleaning that pot, hang it on the hook over the fire. Then wash and chop the vegetables.”
“I’m not allowed to use a knife,” she quavered.
“Do you know how?” I asked.
She nodded.
“I, Rosaline Montague, betrothed of Prince Escalus the younger, give you permission to use a knife.” I pulled my blade out of my sleeve. “Here. It’s sharp.”
Orsa took the knife, tested the edge with her thumb, smiled in a way that transformed her plain, thin face into something remarkable, and went to work on the dried mushrooms, the carrots, and the green beans. Good. She knew to cut the tough vegetables first.
I watched long enough to know she was competent; then I went to the door where one skinny, brave, and very young houseboy hovered, peering in anxiously, probably sent by the more experienced staff to investigate. “Petro, yes?”
“Yes, my lady.” He bowed, all awkward legs and arms.
“Petro, send a sedan chair to Casa Montague for Old Cook. Tell her Lady Rosaline requires her presence at the palace, and to pick a staff large enough to get her started in the kitchens. Bring her back here as soon as possible.”
“Yes, my lady.” He started to run down the stairs.
“Petro!”
He paused.
“Bid the men bring her with the care they would offer a treasure, for Old Cook is the key to all future meals at the palace. When she’s comfortable, each morsel you eat will sing a glorious angel chorus in your mouth.”
His bright eyes gleamed. “Aye, my lady!”
“You promise much of this Old Cook.” Marcellus didn’t stop chopping, but his abrasive tone set my teeth on edge.
“She’s the reason people in Verona and beyond fight to feast at the Montague table.”
“Why isn’t she in charge of the Montague kitchens now?”
“The bone-bending disease struck her early, taking her from a tall young woman into a bent, wizened still-young woman blessed with a happy talent for food. She tires easily and some days can’t get up from her bed. When she’s able, she’s in the kitchen providing advice and inspiration, and there she’s much beloved.” I threw the minced smoked pork into the hot iron pot and listened to the sizzle as the pork rendered. “After the first meal here, when I realized how soon Prince Escalus insisted the wedding would be, and how bad the food was, I appealed to Old Cook for help. She had gladly consented. Her enforced repose leaves her bored and restless, yet she warned me her command in this kitchen could be only temporary.” With a long wooden paddle, I stirred the pork and, satisfied, threw in handfuls of meat and bones chopped fine, as I instructed.
