09-13-2020, 07:48 PM
Arthur felt slightly annoyed when Miss Rosewine spoke of families too poor to hire an accomplished chef full-time. The mere reference to that in the context of a conversation about her cooking for his family, and the possible implication that his family might be such a family was offensive to him. But apart from a momentary twitch of the mouth, Arthur did not show his irritation. He was a politician, and born and raised with a title to his name, and hence perfectly capable of hiding his true thoughts and feelings.
He was about to reply to the lady's proposal about talking to the kitchen staff, when a footman entered. Arthur was pleasantly surprised that the woman did not only accept the offer but had a specific preference. "Bring the lady a Madeira. A brandy for me." When the footman had left, he turned back to the young lady. "Indeed, we do have a permanent very qualified chef," he said, just to do away with any possible doubt as to whether they could afford one - that notion still stung. "But I am certain he is willing to take a night off."
Not that she didn't have a point, Arthur realized. His other domestics came and went, but it was of little concern to him. Maids and footmen and even butlers were relatively easily replaced, though often it was a matter of switching one poor quality servant for another. But chefs were another matter. They were harder to replace and aware of it. Arthur would never forget how several years ago that bastard, Montini, had quit the night before a large dinner party was scheduled, just because they had denied him a night off the week before. It was true, they would have to tread with care.
But he would still prefer to be in charge of his own household, rather than let some stranger handle it, and a woman at that. "I will arrange it with Mr. Dauphin. You need not worry yourself about that, Miss Rosewine. As for the kitchen maids, I doubt we'll need to consider the feelings of the lower domestics," he added with a dismissive wave of the hand. "They will do as they are told and will assist you where you need it."
He was about to reply to the lady's proposal about talking to the kitchen staff, when a footman entered. Arthur was pleasantly surprised that the woman did not only accept the offer but had a specific preference. "Bring the lady a Madeira. A brandy for me." When the footman had left, he turned back to the young lady. "Indeed, we do have a permanent very qualified chef," he said, just to do away with any possible doubt as to whether they could afford one - that notion still stung. "But I am certain he is willing to take a night off."
Not that she didn't have a point, Arthur realized. His other domestics came and went, but it was of little concern to him. Maids and footmen and even butlers were relatively easily replaced, though often it was a matter of switching one poor quality servant for another. But chefs were another matter. They were harder to replace and aware of it. Arthur would never forget how several years ago that bastard, Montini, had quit the night before a large dinner party was scheduled, just because they had denied him a night off the week before. It was true, they would have to tread with care.
But he would still prefer to be in charge of his own household, rather than let some stranger handle it, and a woman at that. "I will arrange it with Mr. Dauphin. You need not worry yourself about that, Miss Rosewine. As for the kitchen maids, I doubt we'll need to consider the feelings of the lower domestics," he added with a dismissive wave of the hand. "They will do as they are told and will assist you where you need it."