Miss Chartley's Guided Tour by Carla Kelly

Author:Carla Kelly [Kelly, Carla]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 1603819134
Publisher: Camel Press
Published: 2013-05-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Matthew did not bring her breakfast in the morning. It came direct from the kitchen in the hands of Antoine, who was followed by his interpreter, Angela. After Angela tucked a napkin in the top of Omega’s gown, Antoine set down the tray with a flourish, exposing several ladylike slivers of Yorkshire ham, crepes nestled in raspberry sauce and topped with a spoonful of clotted cream. There was tea in the pot, and a small basket of pastries.

“Antoine, magnifique!” she exclaimed, exhausting her French.

Antoine beamed and dabbed at the corners of his eyes.

He spoke rapidly to Angela and then folded his arms.

“I am to tell you that if there is any little morsel that he can create for you, he will be so grateful,” Angela said. “He begs to tell you that he will prepare a small restorative to be eaten around ten o’clock.”

“Oh, tell him that will not be necessary,” Omega replied, her eyes on the crepes.

“I cannot do that!” Angela protested. “It will wound his feelings. He is so dreadfully sensitive, and besides, Jamie and I will eat the goodies at ten o’clock.”

“Very well then, dear,” Omega said, “although I do not believe for a moment that you are being a martyr.”

After staying long enough to watch Omega eat one of his crepes, Antoine dabbed at his eyes again and left the room, overcome with strong feeling.

“You have made him the happiest Frenchman in England,” said Angela.

The dignified Miss Chartley snorted and poured herself some tea. “That is a whisker, Angela! Only wait until I cross him on some issue about dinner or luncheon. Then he will rain rapid French down on my head until we are all quite weary.”

She finished the crepes. “Tell me, what of Lord Byford? Is he about yet?”

“Oh, long since. He took Hugh with him into the garden and they walked about for some time and talked. And then Lord Byford walked into Byford by himself. I do not know what it is about. I teased and teased Hugh, but he would not tell me.”

Omega sipped her tea. So now Hugh Owen is acquainted with the whole sad story. She sighed. It is better so, she thought, even as she colored faintly with embarrassment for Matthew.

Jamie came into her room dressed in his new clothes. He said hello politely and paused only long enough to claim Angela. “She has promised to teach me to trap rabbits, Omega. Besides,” he added, looking darts at Angela, “didn’t Uncle Matthew make us both take an oath not to disturb Miss Chartley?”

“I was merely telling her the news,” answered Angela with great dignity. She collected Omega’s tray and suffered Jamie to tow her toward the door. “Boys have no sense about anything.”

When they were gone, Omega pulled back the bedcovers and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Her ankle was still puffy and angry-looking, but she could tell that much of the swelling had subsided. I wonder if I could stand on it? she thought, even as she grabbed the bedstead and pulled herself to her feet.

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