The kitchen was otherwise well organised and clean. There were a few items out on the table and other surfaces for the preparation of food, and there was something roasting in the oven, but the fireplace and kitchen range was clean and polished, safe for some vegetables there was no food lying about, and the tiled floor looked clean.

Arthur was still mortified. The shame of letting an experienced chef he was about to employ, and a lady too, see that this was going on in his kitchen! He had to look like a complete fool in her eyes. Or even morally corrupt. How long had this been going on? How long had his food been prepared on the same table!?

"Oh, I assure you, madam, they will both be out of work." He had half a mind to sack all the maids. If one had been corrupted, who said the others hadn't? They must have at least had a suspicion of what was going on? On that thought, he should sack the footmen as well. They might have known. And the housekeeper. The butler might have suspected something. And the steward hired that wicked maid... How many of the servants had been laughing at him behind his back? That was it! A complete change of staff!

"This place will be thoroughly cleaned." The other maids could do that, before he let them go. "I swear I had no idea..." He shook his head, still not quite himself. "I shall help you back up. I doubt you'll want to inspect the kitchen now..."