House Party in Gretna Green: Book 3.5: A Midlife Recorder Novella by Linzi Day

Author:Linzi Day [Day, Linzi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-08-20T16:00:00+00:00

“Niki, I wanted to—” Breanna broke off as the door to her downstairs study opened with a heavy thud as if someone had kicked it.

Tilly jumped, and Breanna sighed.

“Mrs Fosdike, really?”

The severe-looking woman who’d brought me tea on my first visit turned watery eyes on her queen. Her old-fashioned uniform, which always looked and sounded as though it was supported by many starched petticoats, rustled as she approached.

“Your Majesty, your tea.”

Breanna sighed. “I think we all know by now that the Recorder prefers coffee, and that was exactly what I ordered, wasn’t it?”

I started to say that I couldn’t stay, so please don’t worry about me, but Breanna gave me a look of such fury, my words died in my throat.

“Your Majesty, it is your usual morning tea.” Mrs Fosdike had stiffened even more now, if that were possible.

“And today, I specifically ordered morning coffee. Remove this please and replace it with what I requested.” Breanna folded her arms and glared until the woman did an about face and headed out of the door.

When the door closed behind her, I risked, “Problems?”

Breanna tapped the copy of Ruling Regally: A Monarch’s Guide to the 21st Century by Margot Hobart-Smythe on her table. “I’m implementing the lessons in this. Mrs Fosdike is leaving us today. She’ll be beginning a well-earned retirement with an excellent pension. And the lifetime gift of a lovely little home on the coast, close to her more relaxed sister about fifty miles away. Let’s hope that’s far enough.”

Maggie’s nose peeped out from underneath her mistress’s skirt. She gave a low whine.

“Yes, Migg-Mags, you’re right.” Breanna consulted her watch. “We only have to survive a few more hours before you can sit comfortably on the chair with me, and I can eat or drink whatever I slagging ordered.” She picked up the cute little Tibetan spaniel and seemed to calm as she stroked her.

She focused on me. “Sorry, Niki. I think the housekeeper of the Royal Broch should have more important tasks to do than bring me the wrong beverage because she disapproves of coffee. I also think she won’t send one of the many housemaids I employ whose job it is to serve me because she’s nosy and likes to spy on me. I found the courage to tell her it was time to retire. She’s been sniffling audibly ever since. So now I feel like a complete bitch.”

“Have you got a replacement lined up?”

A huge grin split her face. She nodded. Suddenly, she looked much more like the woman I was starting to know. “Lesley starts tomorrow. She and Gowan are back from their honeymoon this evening.”

At my blank expression, she said, “You bonded them last weekend? You helped Gowan get on the course at the Smiths? He was the one I treated so badly when I was out of my mind after Sorcha…”

Ah, yes, I remembered the couple now. I’d liked them both. But I’d put an unhappy expression back on Breanna’s face. Damn. OK, Niki, distract her.

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