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The cook, a tall, lanky woman with an impressively competent manner, rolled her eyes as she assembled a lavish tea service that Sabrina devoutly hoped was for her, since she was positively famished.
“Not to worry, my lady,” Cook said in brisk Yorkshire accent. “I’ve sent up hot water and a maid to assist her ladyship, and the tea tray will be up in a twinkle.”
Vivien beamed. “You’re a gem, Evans. What would we do without you?”
“Starve to death, most likely,” the woman responded.
Sabrina blinked at their familiar exchange. Clearly, the household was more than slightly unconventional. That wasn’t surprising, since Vivien had always been somewhat eccentric herself. There’d been quite the scandal over her marriage—something about a Russian prince, whom she’d thrown over in a very exciting fashion for the mysterious Aden St. George. Sabrina was some years younger than her friend and had barely emerged from the schoolroom at the time, so she’d never known the full details.
Vivien took her arm. “Let’s get you dry and into something warm.” She shot Kendrick a warning look. “Onceyouchange, you’re to report to Aden.”
“Lucky me.”
“And whatever happened to the maid?” Vivien asked. “Surely you didn’t leave her lying under a bush in the park?”
Kendrick looked up at the low ceiling, as if searching for patience. “We sent her home with instructions to say that Lady Sabrina was still in bed, nursing a headache.”
“Quick thinking on your part,” Vivien said.
“It was Lady Sabrina’s idea,” he replied.
Vivien let out a delicate snort before leading Sabrina to the stairs.
Glancing over her shoulder, Sabrina threw Kendrick an apologetic smile. He simply shrugged and went back to drying his hair. It was now a beautiful russet shade, as vibrant as an autumn leaf.
“I do owe poor Mr. Kendrick a debt of gratitude,” she said as she followed Vivien up the back staircase. “He was quite helpful in such unpleasant circumstances.”
“Graeme knows I’m teasing. Mostly. He can be reckless, so the occasional reprimand does him good.”
“I never thought of you as the managing sort, Vivien, but you seem quite good at it.”
“Not as good as you, dear. Your ability to manage gentlemen of all sorts is legendary.”
Sabrina sighed. “I seem to have slipped a jot this morning.”
“Ah, so youweremeeting someone in the park.”
“Why else would I do something so stupid?”
Vivien steered her down the second floor hall. “You can tell me all about it once you’re warm and dry.”
“And I’d better be quick. If I don’t get home . . .”
“Graeme and Aden will come up with a plausible story. They’re quite good at that sort of thing.”
From the end of the hall, a long-case clock bonged out the hour.
“Drat,” Sabrina muttered. “Already eight o’clock.”
Vivien cocked her head. “Yes, the children are certainly awake,” she said with a smile.
“I’m so sorry to drag you out of bed for something this ridiculous.”
“Nonsense. Aden and I are both early risers. That man is up at the crack of dawn most mornings.” She cut Sabrina a sly smile. “Which means I am, too.”
Sabrina huffed out a laugh as Vivien ushered her into a cozy bedroom. Decorated in shades of cream and primrose, it had comfortably modern furnishings piled high with cushions covered in lovely floral fabric.
Even more appealing were the roaring fire in the grate and the bowl of hot water on the Sheraton-style dressing table. A maid bustled about, laying out a flannel wrapper and a fresh set of underclothes. Sabrina slipped behind a wooden screen to strip off her clammy garments. A minute or so later, she heard the tea tray arrive. After it was set up, Vivien dismissed the servants.
