AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nora’s heart had been racing before, but now it pounded so hard it left her breathless.
Why did I attempt to be cheeky? she asked herself nervously.
“There is quite a lot of work to be done in the kitchen,” she muttered.
“I see,” Jonan said with the smuggest grin she had ever seen. He knew he had won.
Nora didn't like his deep stares or arrogance. She wished she could stick her finger in his face and thump him. But she was Amelia. He was expecting a biddable wife, and he was going to get one. “The bread must be checked.”
She dashed to the oven to retrieve a spare tea towel. The bread was set out to cool with a little help from Velma. Despite her anger, Nora's stomach rumbled at the smell of the baked goods.
“Who would like a taste?” she asked.
“Pardon, milady?”
“Oh, Velma! When I was a little girl, the cook would break bread with everyone who was in the kitchen when she took a fresh loaf out.” Nora laid it out on a plate and cut it into slices. Then, she walked around the room, offering everyone a piece.
“Oh, no, I really couldnae.”
“Yes, you could,” Nora smiled. Nora moved around the room after Velma had taken a slice, offering each of the kitchen workers a piece as well. It made her happy to see their eyes widen when she handed them bread. Their facesexpressed surprise, shock, and even disbelief at their lady doing such a thing.
In her opinion, it was a ludicrous notion. They were essential, and the kitchen depended on them. Nora resolved then to express her gratitude for their service.
Crossingthe room to where the men were, she went up to Callan first. “Gladly, milady.”
She then offered Rayak a piece. “No, milady, I couldn’t possibly.”
“Oh, my, don’t be silly. Have one!” Rayuk accepted the slice of bread gratefully.
Finally, there was only one person left in the room. Nora walked to Jonan, feeling nervous. “Would ye like a slice, milaird?”
She kept her eyes glued to the ground. If there was any chance of a repeat of what had happened earlier, she didn’t want to take it.
“Aye,” he said. Nora let him reach for a slice from the plate, but before he could eat it, she ducked away, putting as much distance between them as she could.
Amidthe compliments on the bread, she grabbed a ladle and stirred the broth one last time. Finally, she noticed Jonan leave with Callan, who was holding an extra piece of bread in his hands. She was curious as to which of the maids had slipped him a slice. Her lips formed a relaxed smile.
But, as he stepped out of the room, Jonan turned around. His gaze followed her all the way from the door.
“There will be a feast tonight,” Jonan said abruptly. “The cook suggested it, and I believe it is a wonderful idea. The entire clan is invited. Tonight, we celebrate my new wife.”
Nora’s ladle fell to the ground just as Jonan walked out.
