The Baker and the Bookmaker: Most Imprudent Matches - Book Two by Ally Hudson

Author:Ally Hudson [Hudson, Ally]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798988218128
Publisher: Busy Nothings Books
Published: 2023-10-02T16:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

GRAYSON HOUSE, LONDON - FEBRUARY 18, 1814

From the perspective of the upstairs diners, the supper was by all accounts an unmitigated disaster. Apparently, this was not a deterrent to Hugh’s new wife. Every week the invitation came. Every week we attended. I suspected Michael felt sympathetic toward the new viscountess and was happy to serve as Agatha’s punching bag for a few hours. Or, if not strictly happy, willing.

I, on the other hand, was ecstatic.

Week after week, I learned more about the woman Anna had become in my absence. Generous, kind, witty—these were nothing new. The younger maids looked to her for inspiration, and she led with grace and compassion. She was completely unwilling to entertain my nonsense and determined to be unimpressed by me; she was more guarded. It was difficult to determine whether the new, more wary nature was due to our change in circumstances or our lack of privacy. All our interactions had been in the kitchens, tripping over others.

When I was finally graced with an afternoon off, my only thoughts were of her. My first stop was the florist. I left armed with dahlias. Though they were a pale imitation of the sunset, put to shame by the variety of colors in her hair, they were the closest match I could find.

Once I reached Grayson House, I knocked on the servants’ entrance and was granted entry by one of the new footmen, who was now familiar to me, although I couldn’t recall his name. I paid attention to little outside of Anna during our dinners.

“You can sit at the table if you’d like. I’ll see if she has a few minutes.”

“Thank you.”

I made myself at home on the bench, resting my back against the table to wait. The kitchens were quiet. The day was still too early to begin dinner preparations.

As five minutes became ten, I spun around on the bench, studying the grooves in the oak table. Most were as familiar to me as the lines on my palms.

Some, though, were new. I wondered at the deep horizontal gash in front of me. There were scald marks I could only assume came from hot serving dishes. I hoped whatever they’d contained had been delicious, and worth the scar as a reminder.

As I stared, the changes became more apparent. Drawing my thumbnail back and forth in the groove in front of me, the minutes passed slowly. The occasional scullery maid scurried past, arms fully laden. But no sign of Anna.

After nearly three quarters of an hour, a feminine form slipped into the entry. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the one I was waiting on.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I had no idea you were here. Are you waiting for someone?” The woman was short with dark hair and wide blue-green eyes and alabaster skin. Her dress was elegant and tasteful. There was only one person this could be: the new viscountess.

I stood quickly, the bench scraping the ground. I flushed at the unpleasant sound before bowing. “Lady Grayson, forgive me. I would not wish to be a bother.

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