Of Monsters and Madness by Jessica Verday

Author:Jessica Verday [Verday, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-1-60684-464-9
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Published: 2014-09-08T16:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

Cook and Johanna are both in the kitchen when I return upstairs. Neither of them asks why I was down in the laboratory, but Cook casts a worried glance over at the door. “Father needed my assistance,” I offer quietly. “Do either of you know where I can find Brahm?”

“He’s in the stables with Jasper,” Cook says. “What do you need him fer, miss?”

“Father’s assistant is late and he has requested the new night watchman go find him.”

Cook and Johanna share a look, and then Cook says, “Johanna will find him, miss. No need fer you to be doing that.”

Johanna agrees and hurries out into the courtyard while I take a seat at the worktable. “Do you know where Maddy is? Is she still cleaning the stained-glass windows?”

“She’s in her room resting. Poor thing was as pale as a ghost, she said her stomach was upset an’ she felt cold all over. I told her Johanna an’ I could take care of preparing dinner.”

Remembering the khing that I purchased at the marketplace, I get to my feet. “Will you put some water on to boil for tea, Cook? I have something that should make Maddy feel better.”

She does as I ask while I go up to my room. The khing is still in my cloak pocket along with the handkerchief, and I reach for that as well. Hopefully, it will be a welcome distraction.

The tea is brewing when I reach the kitchen again, and Johanna has returned. I remove the khing from my pocket and cut a small section off, peeling away the outer bark and revealing the sweet flesh beneath. Dropping it into the teapot, I allow it to cook for several moments. “Fresh khing would be better, but this should work just as well.”

“What is kring, miss?” Cook says.

I smile at her mispronunciation. “Khing, like the word ring, is an herb. I believe the shopkeeper at the apothecary told me it was called ginger here?”

“Ginger. Yes,” Cook replies. “I’ve never had it in a tea, though.”

“We used it often in Siam to relieve vapors, nausea, and fatigue. It should help Maddy feel better shortly.”

They watch in silence as I strain the leaves and then flavor the tea with a small piece of sugar cube. In Siam, sliced oranges were used as flavoring. “Would you like to try some?” I ask. They nod, and I pour a cup for each of them.

Johanna takes a large sip of her tea. “Delicious, miss!”

Cook follows suit and then bobs her head. “I’ve never tasted anything like it!”

“If Maddy and I go back to the market again, I shall have to see if I can find maphrao—coconut. Khing is delicious paired with it.” I glance around the kitchen. “Now, where might I find a tray so I can take this up to her?”

“I can take it, miss,” Johanna says.

“Please, let me. I was hoping to spend a moment with her.”

“Not to worry, miss.” Cook finds a small silver tea tray and brings it over to me.

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