06-28-2022, 10:02 PM
Was that the truth? In the midst of everything else, it was difficult for even Malachi to decipher what of Arthur’s stories were lies meant to win his family over, and what was the honest truth seeping through.
If he was as terrible in the kitchen as he claimed, Malachi would have no issue cooking for him. Baking for him, if that was what he wanted. He had cooked for Nettie and several other children for years, some of them regularly. Cooking for an adult couldn’t be any harder than that.
This time, he did not turn to meet Arthur’s gaze, even once he felt it finally settle over him.
There was still something that irked him about the avoidant way he’d entered the room.
“Anyone can learn with enough practice,” said Miriam, smiling pleasantly as she ignored her cake and focused on her wine. “Or so I’ve heard. I have only set foot in kitchens to ensure that the cooks are doing as they are told.”
“I don’t believe I have ever attempted anything in a kitchen either…” Levi hummed. Bringing his fork to his mouth, he finished off the last remaining crumbs and then pushed his tray aside. His mother continued to sip leisurely at her wine, never taking her eyes off of the man seated across the table.
“I will have one of them write it down and bring the recipe by your room, doctor. I would not want for Whitby to suffer such a grievous loss.”
Malachi doubted that she could even place Whitby on a map. He watched her for a long moment and then downed the rest of his wine, while Levi looked on quietly in a blend of surprise and horror.
“Levi, dear,” Miriam touched his shoulder lightly. “Speaking of loss, are you still having trouble with that thieving servant? The one that broke the lock on your gate?”
“Ah… the servant has been taken care of, of course. The gate is yet to be fixed, however, and now that you mention it… Mara,” he noted her empty glass.
“We should not stay too late. I apologize for such a short visit, Doctor Adams, but I am sure you understand. Have you found the help in Whitby to be of any better skill?”
If he was as terrible in the kitchen as he claimed, Malachi would have no issue cooking for him. Baking for him, if that was what he wanted. He had cooked for Nettie and several other children for years, some of them regularly. Cooking for an adult couldn’t be any harder than that.
This time, he did not turn to meet Arthur’s gaze, even once he felt it finally settle over him.
There was still something that irked him about the avoidant way he’d entered the room.
“Anyone can learn with enough practice,” said Miriam, smiling pleasantly as she ignored her cake and focused on her wine. “Or so I’ve heard. I have only set foot in kitchens to ensure that the cooks are doing as they are told.”
“I don’t believe I have ever attempted anything in a kitchen either…” Levi hummed. Bringing his fork to his mouth, he finished off the last remaining crumbs and then pushed his tray aside. His mother continued to sip leisurely at her wine, never taking her eyes off of the man seated across the table.
“I will have one of them write it down and bring the recipe by your room, doctor. I would not want for Whitby to suffer such a grievous loss.”
Malachi doubted that she could even place Whitby on a map. He watched her for a long moment and then downed the rest of his wine, while Levi looked on quietly in a blend of surprise and horror.
“Levi, dear,” Miriam touched his shoulder lightly. “Speaking of loss, are you still having trouble with that thieving servant? The one that broke the lock on your gate?”
“Ah… the servant has been taken care of, of course. The gate is yet to be fixed, however, and now that you mention it… Mara,” he noted her empty glass.
“We should not stay too late. I apologize for such a short visit, Doctor Adams, but I am sure you understand. Have you found the help in Whitby to be of any better skill?”
