She Will Rejoice by Becky Riker

Author:Becky Riker [Riker, Becky]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2013-08-05T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Tessa left after a light dinner.

“Nicholas is not pleased when I travel these days.”

“I should think not,” Naomi hugged her. “You have mere weeks.”

Tessa waved as she drove away.

Naomi went to find Mrs. Hollingberry to review the next week’s menu.

“Should you like a venison stew?” the older lady suggested in her typical helpful manner.

“Is it a great deal of trouble?” Naomi hated to have the staff make elaborate meals when she was the only one eating them. Diana never came to the dining room and rarely ate more than broth and toast.

The lady laughed, “It is not, but I do wish you would stop concerning yourself over such matters. I enjoy cooking.”

“Well, then, I have not had a stew of any sort for a long time. My mother used to order it regularly, but my father did not enjoy it.”

Mrs. Hollingberry chuckled, “And you would like to have chicken with a mustard sauce one night?”

Naomi smiled. She had requested it once a week since the cook had prepared it first. It was her favorite meal.

“Perhaps,” Mrs. Hollingberry suggested, “you might choose a lamb tagine one evening.”

Naomi did not care for lamb, but she did not tell the woman that.

“I have never had it. What is it?”

“It is like to a stew, missus, but a little more cream.”

Naomi was considering what to say when Mrs. Hollingberry spoke up again, “It is the older Mrs. Haydn’s favorite.”

Naomi knew the cook was concerned about Mrs. Haydn’s scant appetite.

“Certainly,” Naomi agreed quickly.

Mrs. Hollingberry looked relieved.

“And if you think of any other foods that might entice her, please add them to our menu.”

The cook blushed a little.

“What is it?” the young mistress pressed.

“She is fond of sanguinaccio.”

Naomi laughed aloud, “That sounds like a foreign country rather than a meal.”

“It is neither,” Mrs. Hollingberry chuckled. “It is a dessert made of chocolate and eggs.”

“Please prepare that at your leisure.”

Mrs. Hollingberry left then, but Naomi remained in her chair, thinking about her husband’s mother.

There was no doubt the woman had a problem. She never made it through the day without the aid of liquor. The type of drink she chose varied, but it usually included gin and sherry. What a despondent life she must lead, drinking all afternoon and evening only to be sick from it in the mornings.

Naomi rose and went to gather a cloak for her daily walk. There was nothing she could do to help the woman. Diana Haydn was determined to live her life in a drunken and bitter state.

It did not occur to Naomi to ask Mrs. Hollingberry again about the meals until a few weeks after the discussion.

“Did Mrs. Haydn enjoy the lamb you made?”

The cook smiled, “She said she weren’t going to have any, but I sent it anyways. She complained a lot to the maid, but she ate it all.”

Naomi grinned, “And the dessert?”

Mrs. Hollingberry shook her head, “She said there was too much cream in it, and she sent it back.”

Naomi felt a flash of irritation, “I thought it was delicious.

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