Weevils.
The bags would have to be tossed or carefully sifted through to remove the bugs.
She plucked at a strand of onions hanging from the rafters. When she flicked it, the strand hit its neighbor with a wet thud.
“The onions, too.” The cook moaned. “Last week, it was the carrots. What will we do? There’s a haunt in this house, I swear on it!”
Saffron considered the onions, chewing the inside of her cheek. So much discord in such a short time. An unorganized staff created an opportunity for theft. Was it just that Leo had lost control of his house? Or was it something more?
“You need assistance,” she said. “Offer the girls whom you hire a bonus if they stay until the end of the auction.” Hopefully, that would be enough of a lure to keep the thief from drawing the staff away. “By the way,” she continued. “Last night, did you hear anything unusual? Lord Briarwood mentioned that his studio was broken into.”
Mrs. Banting shook her head. “I can’t sleep without my nightly draught. I’m afraid I missed all the excitement.”
Suddenly, a young girl came flying around the corner, her cap askew. She was one of the younger between maids, or tweenys, who answered the calls of the bells in the family and guest rooms. The Briarwood estate had a plethora of tweenys, perhaps because it was a role that did not require any specialtraining, and therefore it could be offered to local village girls to supplement their family income.
“Oh, madam, you must come,” she said. “My sister took a faint and won’t rise.”
“Oh, goodness,” the cook said, fluttering her hands. “’Tis a haunt, truly. Oh, madam, what will we do? You must call the vicar at once!”
“Focus on your duties,” Saffron said, raising her voice above the cook’s. “I will see to the trouble with the maid. Do you know where I might find smelling salts?” She might need them to revive the maid.
The cook clutched her apron. “What?”
“Smelling salts,” Saffron repeated. “Do you have any? Or know where I might find some?”
“Oh, I… Yes.” The cook bustled over to a shelf above the sink and picked up a small, white vial.
“I’ll return it later,” Saffron said as the cook handed it over.
What will it be next?she wondered as she followed the tweeny.It is a wonder this household has continued in such a poor state.
Her corset made it difficult for her to run, which meant the maid she followed had to stop several times and wait anxiously for her to catch up. The girl ran as if she had the stamina of a racehorse.
She expected the maid to lead her to the servants’ quarters and was surprised when they headed toward the drawing room. She heard the ruckus before they arrived, the chaotic sound of many voices speaking at once. When they skidded to a halt, her entire body stiffened. Kneeling on the ground with a pale-faced maid draped in his arms was the man she’d tried so hard to avoid. Leo grinned. “There you are.”
Saffron paused in the motion of retrieving the smelling salts from the pocket of her chemise. “What is this? What has happened?”
Leo cleared his throat. “All right, thank you, everyone. That will be all.”
Saffron clenched her fingers around the bottle as the blushing maid rose to her feet, mumbled an apology, then skittered off, followed by the others. Only a single, white-haired maid remained behind for propriety. The old woman hunched over on a bench, half-asleep.
Leo dusted his trousers, then stood and tucked his hands behind his back, a wide grin still on his face.
Like the cat that has gotten into the cream.
She huffed. “What is this about, my lord?”
“It was the only way to ensure that you would appear, my dear. You must admit, it was quite clever.”
He walked closer, and she remained rooted to her spot, like the gazelle frozen before a stalking lion. His slow prowl sent shivers rippling down her arms, and the gleam in his eyes made her want to flee. She had the irrational urge to throw her arms about his neck and kiss him senseless. The memory of their previous amorous encounter warmed her cheeks and had her staggering back.
“There was no need for this, Lord Briarwood,” she said tersely. “I assure you I have things well in hand. You should see to your guests.”
His longer legs ate up the ground between them and in moments, his chest was so close, she could feel the heat of him.
She knew she should put distance between them, but her legs refused to cooperate.
“What do you want?” she breathed as Leo loomed closer.
