Meg Alexander by Her Gentleman Protector

Author:Her Gentleman Protector [Protector, Her Gentleman]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Simon came to find them as they were working at the kitchen table slicing vegetables into an enormous cauldron. ‘What did you say to Piers?’ he asked. ‘He seems easier in his mind.’

‘We told him the truth, monsieur. Sometimes it is the best way.’

‘I see. You did not think to ask for my permission?’

‘We did not need it, sir.’ Emma gave him an angry look. ‘You have some objection, perhaps, to Monsieur Fanshawe knowing of our plans?’

‘I had no wish to worry him.’

‘He worries more about being left in ignorance. Now, monsieur, if you will excuse us we have much to do.’

‘So I see,’ he replied in a dry tone. ‘Do you add cooking to your talents, Emma?’

‘I am not helpless,’ she replied.

‘Good! Then I need not fear that either of you will poison me?’

‘We might be strongly tempted,’ she assured him. ‘Sometimes you would try the patience of a saint.’

‘And you are no saint, I think!’ He was laughing as he walked away.

Emma examined the contents of the cauldron. ‘This ancient bird must be tender by now,’ she announced. ‘The vegetables will not take long. Perhaps madame has another task for us.’

She was not left long in doubt. At that moment the farmer’s wife entered the kitchen and lifted down a home-cured ham from one of the beams. She smiled at the two girls.

‘I am not used to have such help.’ She beamed. ‘Will you slice this ham for me?’ She handed Emma a fearsome-looking knife. At first glance Emma knew that it was razor-sharp.

The woman was all good nature, but Emma felt troubled.

‘Madame, we are eating you out of house and home,’ she protested. ‘Will you not allow me to make at least some small contribution to the cost?’

Madame shook her head. ‘We country people are self-sufficient, mademoiselle. We spend little in the town. We rely upon our pigs and goats, hams, cheeses and our own vegetables to see us through the winter. We have more than enough for all.’

‘You are very good,’ Emma told her soberly. ‘But seven extra people? It is too much!’

Madame smiled. ‘One of your party has already left us, Miss Lynton, and your patient scarce eats enough to keep a bird alive. Now pray do not trouble your head about these matters. I have bread to make. With the stew it will fill up hungry men.’

Emma did not argue further. Madame was never less than courteous, but she left no one in any doubt that this was her home, and she was mistress of her domain.

Mado raised one last question. ‘Your sons, madame? I am grateful for the use of their room, but please inform them that I shall sleep in the barn tonight.’

Madame threw up her hands, now covered in flour. ‘Such nonsense! You will do no such thing, my dear. My boys will bed down in the barn. Perhaps you and your friend here will share the room?’

Mado looked uncomfortable. ‘Miss Lynton…I mean, Emma…may not wish to share with me.’

‘Why ever not?’ Emma smiled at the girl.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.