Page 79 of The Cottage at Brambleton Hall

‘Always.’

Valerie straightened the cuff of her blouse and said, almost as an afterthought, ‘I did notice she was considering lobster.’

Magnus looked up sharply. ‘For fourteen?’

Valerie gave the smallest shrug. ‘Young cooks do like ambitious things.’

Magnus’s expression hardened. ‘Unsuitable.’

‘That was my thought.’ Valerie’s eyes flicked downward before returning politely to his face. ‘You’ve done well with her,’ she said. ‘Taking the time to train her properly. Most people wouldn’t bother nowadays.’

Magnus dismissed the compliment with a slight movement of his hand, but privately he approved of the sentiment. Standards mattered. Training mattered. Too many houses had lost both.

Valerie lifted the tea tray. ‘Well,’ she said warmly, ‘between us we’ll make sure the poor girl doesn’t drown.’

When she left, Magnus returned to the guest list, reassured. It was helpful that Miss Jenkins would have somebody experienced assisting her.

Twenty

On the evening of the dinner party Sammy arrived wearing a freshly laundered white blouse and black skirt in a whirl of excitement to discover that Valerie had volunteered to assist. She thought that was generous.

It didn’t take Sammy long to change her mind.

Sammy checked on the meat in the Aga – sizzling nicely, creating a lovely, sweet aroma – before clearing space on the counter to start the soufflé mixture.

Valerie swept into the kitchen carrying a stack of polished dessert spoons wrapped in linen. ‘You’re behind already,’ she said brightly.

Sammy looked at the clock in alarm.

Valerie smiled. ‘Joke.’ She set the spoons down, on the patch of counter Sammy had just cleared. ‘Magnus wants the dining room checked again,’ she added. ‘Apparently one of the napkins is leaning.’

Before Sammy could answer, Magnus appeared in the doorway, immaculate in white tie and tails. ‘Miss Jenkins, when you are ready, I think it appropriate you survey your stage.’

Sammy set the mixture aside and followed him down the corridor into the dining room. The room looked perfect. Magnus had spent all day laying the table – and it showed. Silver ornaments spaced between settings, posy vases of roses releasing a delicate scent, polished cutlery, sparkling crystal and white linen napkins she had folded into intricate upright shapes, now sitting on placemats, each one identical to the next.

Valerie had somehow beaten her there, already circling the table with a silver brush in one hand and a glass cloth in the other. She polished invisible marks from crystal stems and brushed imaginary dust from seat cushions.

Sammy joined her, filling water glasses, ensuring she set each one back down precisely in the centre of each coaster. As she leaned forward to fill the last glass, Valerie passed behind her. A sharp pressure clipped the back of Sammy’s ankle. Not enough to hurt, but enough to knock her balance. Water sloshed over the rim of the jug and splashed across the polished table.

Sammy gasped. ‘Oh God . . .’

Valerie stepped back instantly. ‘Careful.’

Magnus looked over from the sideboard. Sammy grabbed the cloth from Valerie and dabbed frantically at the water before it could spread beneath the silverware.

‘Sorry,’ she said quickly. ‘Sorry.’

‘Do not swipe,’ Magnus said calmly. ‘Press.’

Valerie passed her another cloth. ‘Nerves,’ she said sympathetically. ‘Perfectly understandable.’

Sammy’s cheeks burnt. Magnus didn’t appear to notice the small, satisfied look Valerie had lowered her eyes to hide.

The door opened, and Nate joined them, black tie sharp against his white dress shirt.

He threw her an encouraging smile. Sammy imagined sitting at the table, across from him. Not working. Eating. The thought stayed with her a moment too long.

Nate fingered his bow tie, pulling it loose before retying it. Sammy noticed he’d shaved and trimmed his hair; he looked neater, and she hated the way her pulse immediately took an interest.