Jacquie D'Alessandro - [Regency Historical 04] by Not Quite A Gentleman

Author:Not Quite A Gentleman [Gentleman, Not Quite A]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Nathan sat on a wooden stool in the massive kitchen, munching on a still warm biscuit, and watched Cook pack items into the worn brown leather saddlebag he’d retrieved from his bedchamber. Memories of other times he’d sat in this exact spot, eating a treat fresh from the oven, stole over him. Growing up, the kitchen had been one of his favorite places in which to escape, not only because of the delicious treats he procured, but because of the thrill of the forbidden—neither he nor Colin were supposed to ever visit the kitchen. Most improper, his father had decreed. But as this was where all the treats were, neither he nor Colin had paid the slightest bit of attention to that dictate.

“Just like old times, eh, Dr. Nathan?” Cook said, a wide grin splitting her jolly features, her round cheeks rosy from the heat of the stove.

He smiled back. Her name was Gertrude, but for the twenty-five years she’d been in charge of Creston Manor’s kitchen, she’d simply been Cook.

“I was just thinking that very thing.” He inhaled deeply. “Mmmm. I believe this is the best smelling spot in all of England.”

There was no mistaking Cook’s pleasure at his remark. “’Course it is. And it’s ashamed ye should be for stayin’ away for so long. But now yer back and it’s a veritable feast I’ve prepared for you and your young lady.”

“She is not my young lady,” he said, ignoring the odd tingle those words induced. “She is merely a guest. Who likes to eat. A lot.”

“Oh, but that’s the best kind of lady, Dr. Nathan. The sort wot don’t mind eatin’ in front of others and don’t put on no airs. Can’t abide by these ladies who peck at their food in the dining room then stuff themselves in their bedchamber.” She waved her hands and wrinkled her nose. “Bah. False is wot they are. Ye can always tell wot sort of woman yer dealin’ with by how she eats. This Lady Victoria has a hearty appetite ye say? Then she’s one to keep, ye mark my words.”

“She’d be a difficult woman to ‘keep.’”

Cook nodded in immediate understanding. “Strong-willed is she?”

“Very. And opinionated.”

“Both blessings, to be sure. Ye’d quickly tire of a chit who agreed with you all the time.”

“Perhaps. But agreeing with me once would certainly be welcome,” he muttered.

Cook laughed. “Oh, she’s got you right disgruntled, she does.”

“Because she is so very irritating.” And lovely. And amusing. And charming. And desirable.

Cook chuckled and shook her head. “That’s exactly what me and my William thought of each other at first. Couldn’t decide if we wanted to cosh each other or kiss each other. Can honestly say that in three and twenty years together neither of us have ever been bored.”

“And I’m happy for you,” Nathan said, reaching for a towel to wipe his fingers. “But as I said, Lady Victoria isn’t my lady. In fact, the sooner she leaves Cornwall, the better I’ll like it.”

Cook shrugged, but there was no missing the speculation in her shrewd dark eyes.

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