The Bawdy Bride by Amanda Scott

Author:Amanda Scott [Scott, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-07-22T16:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

EXCEPT FOR THEIR PERSONAL servants, Anne and Michael dined alone. Bagshaw drew the curtains when they entered the dining room, shutting out the pale evening light and leaving the room lit only by candles in tall branches on the table and sideboard, in the numerous mirrored wall sconces, and in the great chandelier over the table. The effect was pretty, Anne thought, moving to take her seat at the end of the table. It was a pity there were just the two of them to enjoy it.

“One moment, Elbert,” Michael said when the footman pulled out Anne’s chair at the end of the table opposite him. “Her ladyship will be more comfortable seated nearer this end. Rearrange the covers, please.”

Anne saw that Michael was smiling doubtfully, as if he were uncertain of her reaction to his command. She said, “That arrangement will certainly make it easier for us to converse, sir, if that is your pleasure.”

“It is,” he said, his expression relaxing.

Elbert seated her at Michael’s right hand, and silence reigned while Bagshaw poured their wine at the recessed sideboard and two under-footmen presented numerous dishes for approval before placing them on the table.

Having endorsed the menu earlier, Anne watched Michael’s reaction to each dish and made her own selections quickly, without hesitation. When she refused the white mushroom fricassee, Michael said, “Don’t you like mushrooms?”

“Not much,” she admitted.

“Then why do you order them so frequently?”

“Because I know you are partial to them, of course. It is not necessary for me to order only my favorite dishes. We always have a wide variety from which to choose.”

“You take good care of us, my dear,” he said, nodding for John to carve the roast.

Feeling heat rush to her cheeks at the compliment, Anne said to her own footman, “That is all I require, Elbert, thank you.”

At a sign from Bagshaw, Elbert left with the underlings. When John finished serving the sliced beef and stepped away from the table to his place at the wall, the butler nodded at him to remain, then followed the others.

When the door had shut behind Bagshaw, Michael said quietly, “I’ve not seen much of you during the past fortnight, my dear.”

“I’ve had a lot to do to see the house and gardens prepared for our visitors today,” she said, keeping her eyes on her plate.

“I told you there would be a lot of fuss,” he said, but his tone was light and without censure.

She said, “I enjoy fuss, as you call it, and I’ve done this sort of thing many times before, you know. Papa enjoys public days, but Mama thinks them a heavy responsibility, which is how I came to learn about organizing them. I do confess, we never entertained so many curiosity seekers at Rendlesham as I saw here today, but in fact, Bagshaw and everyone did an excellent job of seeing that the day ran smoothly.”

“We received more than our share of gawkers, to be sure,” Michael said, signing to John to refill

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