The Lady's Second-Chance Suitor by Scott, Regina (christmas read aloud txt) 📗

“To Captain Ruggins, not Captain St. Claire.”

Mercer popped to his feet. “What! Oh, that clerk. He can’tget anything right. Sometimes I don’t know why I consent to keep him on staff.If you would sign it, my lord, I will see to the changes.”

Rob took up the quill. “No need. I’ll change it myself rightnow.” He marked out Captain Ruggins’ name, added St. Claire’s, initialed bothchanges, and signed near the bottom. “There you are. No bother.”

Mercer’s hand shook as he reached for the page. “Howthoughtful of you, my lord.”

“Give me a moment, and I’ll sign the others,” Rob promised.He had Mercer out of his study in a distressingly short period of time.

Elizabeth squeezed in as the steward left. “Good. You have amoment free.”

“I don’t know what gave you that impression,” Rob said,grabbing a book and propping it open before him. “I have much to do to preparefor the next session of Parliament.”

She tilted her head. “By reading Animal Husbandry on theScottish Moors?”

He set down the book with a sigh. “What do you need,Elizabeth?”

“Only that you speak with Monsieur Antoine.” She venturedcloser. “He is being particularly difficult about the menu. Apparently, seatrout isn’t in season, but I’m sure Mother served it at this time of yearbefore.”

From London, where ships brought in delicacies from aroundthe globe on a daily basis. “I have the utmost confidence in you.”

She scrunched up her face. “Please, Rob? Father used toaddress him when he wouldn’t listen to Mother.”

“It won’t wash,” Rob told her. “Everyone listened to Mother.We all knew she was the real power in the family.”

She dropped her gaze. “Then I fear I haven’t inherited hergift.”

He rose and went to put an arm about her shoulders. “I knowthat feeling. Every day I wonder how I’ll be able to take on Father’s tasks.”

She peered up at him through her lashes. “Then you’ll speakto Monsieur Antoine?”

“Yes. This time. But if you insist on managing the staff,you will have to find a way to manage our chef as well.”

Her brave smile said she would try. He headed for thekitchen.

He’d only had a few occasions to deal with their chef,notably to inform him that his position would continue now that Rob’s parentswere gone, but he knew the fellow’s reputation. His mother had beeninordinately proud of it.

“He worked in the Palace of Versailles,” she’d say on theleast provocation. “He served Louis himself.”

“Before or after he lost his head?” Rob had quipped once.

Now he found the chef in the massive kitchen at the back ofthe house. The temporary staff Mrs. Catchpole in Grace-by-the-Sea had providedfor the kitchen apparently included two women assistants and a scullery maid. Workingwith the assistant Elizabeth had brought from London, they made the chef seem thecenter of a whirlwind. Two fingers stroking his impressively long mustache, asblack and supple as a whip, he watched every movement from his place at thehead of the worktable.

“Monsieur,” Rob called in hopes of capturing hisattention.

The dark, narrowed gaze swung in his direction as the chefdropped his hand. “My lord. You are here about the meringue, non?”

“No,” Rob allowed, venturing farther into the sunny room.“Was there a problem with the meringue too?”

Antoine rolled his eyes heavenward as if begging the goodLord for patience. “The meringue was flat at dinner last night. I would nothave served it, but your sister insisted. You have come to discharge me for theoffense, oui?”

“No,” Rob repeated. “I didn’t notice, and it certainly isn’tan offense worthy of discharge. Elizabeth asked me to talk to you about themenu for the dinner party tomorrow. I understand there is a problem.”

He strode to the other end of the worktable, sending two ofhis assistants scuttling out of his way, snatched up a stained piece ofparchment, and shook it at Rob. “Trout, she says. There are none. None! I haveasked, I have pleaded, I have thundered! There are no sea trout inGrace-by-the-Sea.”

He tried to imagine his father dealing with such vitriol andfailed. Still, he was the viscount. He must maintain a calm, reasoned demeanor.

“Since there are no sea trout,” Rob said, “feel free tosubstitute something else.”

“Sub-sub-substitute?” the man sputtered, face turning adangerous shade of red. The last assistant grabbed a mixing bowl and backed outof reach.

Antoine stalked up to Rob and shook his boney finger at him.“I do not substitute. The menu calls for sea trout, we have sea trout. Therecipe asks for the piece to be served au gratin, it shall be served au gratin.Anything less is anarchy.”

Rob seized the fellow’s finger and held it in place. “Idon’t mind a little anarchy.”

Antoine tried to pull back, but Rob clung fast. Such adisplay, however provoked, might not be worthy of his father’s legacy, but itcertainly felt good.

“Unhand me, sir!” the chef blustered, dark eyes beginning tolook alarmed.

“When you have offered me an alternative to sea trout,” Robsaid pleasantly.

Antoine glared at him, as if he thought the look would setRob’s hair on fire. Rob smiled at him.

“Bass,” Antoine snapped. “It is in season and plentiful, andthe flavor will pair well with the lobster sauce.”

Rob released him. “Excellent. Is there anything else I cando to help?”

“Get. Out. Of. My. Kitchen.”

Rob made a show of glancing around. “Your kitchen. I mustremember that next time I’m issuing leases. Bon jour, monsieur.”

He thought something slammed into the door as he shut itbehind him.

“Start looking for a new chef,” he told Elizabeth as hepassed her in the corridor.

Her face fell. “Oh, Rob, you didn’t discharge him.”

“Not yet,” Rob said. “But if that is any example of hisbehavior, I will, as soon as this dinner with Hester is over.”

Because even a man like his father could be pushed too far.

Chapter Fourteen

Hester drew in a deep breath as thePeverell coach set off for the Lodge Tuesday evening. Rob had sent thewhite-lacquered carriage with its gold appointments for them as if she and hermother were visiting dignitaries from a foreign country. Though her mother satbeside her on the blue velvet seat, Rebecca had reluctantly consented to remainbehind.

“Just make sure you bring home a father,” her daughter hadsaid. “We could have a