Page 72 of The Chef and the Countess

Liam stumbled downstairs thirty minutes later. He’d barely slept, not only because of the message delivery but also because Celia’s brave and emotional plea had played repeatedly in his head. There was nothing else for it. He was a complete prat. An emotionally damaged, hollowed-out husk of a man. How could one’s past cast such a shadow over the present and the future? Living on the streets had hardened his heart, no mistake. Even these past years of having a steady job and a roof over his head had done nothing to eliminate the feeling that it could all end with a snap of his fingers. Even when he’d inherited the business, he’d lamented over every burnt sauce and every outstanding invoice to such a point that Fiona had slapped his face when they’d been alone in the kitchen, telling him to get a grip.

Fiona should give him another whack across the chops to beat some sense into him now. He had managed to rein in his overwrought anxiety concerning the business, but when it came to showing his emotions regarding people, that aspect still alluded him.

A beautiful woman had just told him that she was falling in love with him, and he’d became immobilized, unable to think or speak. Any rational man would have gathered her into his arms and been damned grateful, opening his heart and telling her how he felt. But not him. He’d stood as still as a granite statue covered in bird shite.

“Liam, we have breakfast laid out. Come join us.” Enya smiled as he entered the kitchen. He inhaled, and the enticing aroma of bacon hung in the air. He nodded and followed Enya into the staff eating area. His staff was efficient and well-trained, just as Drew had observed. A few people cheerily said, “Good morning,” and Liam acknowledged them with a brisk nod as he strode to the sideboard. He heaped his plate with fried eggs, bacon, and cheese. There was an empty chair at the head of the table.

Sit at the head of the table and get to know them better. Share a laugh and praise them for a job well done.

Celia was right about that and so much else. This was as good a place as any to start. “Good morning, all,” Liam said with a smile as he sat. “Who cooked breakfast?”

“Timmy and me,” Tommy said proudly. “Enya took a tray to Celia already.”

Liam cut into the fried egg and took a bite. “Perfect. The edges are crispy.”

“Just as you taught me,” Tommy replied.

“Enya, when Fiona awakens, I want you two to ensure all the staff is here at half past five for a meal and a meeting.”

She nodded. “I will. Fiona said she’s making sandwiches for Celia today. There’s grilled chicken, cucumber and watercress, cheese and onion. After the lads start the stew, they will assist Fiona with the sandwiches. There are also lobster puffs from the toff trays.”

“Good. Now, what’s on the menu for today?”

A knock sounded at the rear door. “That’s Mr. Eckley with the bread order,” Tommy stated.

“His money envelope for yesterday’s bill is on my desk, lad. Go fetch it and pay the man.”

“Aye,” Tommy replied. I asked Mr. Eckley for four dozen ginger biscuits and five dozen treacle tarts. I meant to tell you yesterday, but with everything—”

“That’s fine, Tommy. Well done. Eckley said he was branching out with his second cooker purchase. Ask him for a full menu when he has it, as we will purchase more baked goods.”

“Yes, Liam!” Tommy ran from the room.

Liam spread blackberry jam on his toast. “Enya, see that Fiona uses Eckley’s items today with the tea trays. Now, the menu?”

“Shrimp and haddock chowder served with Mr. Eckley’s fresh bread,” Hannah replied. “I’ve already chopped the shrimp and the haddock fine, as you showed me. I’ll do the potatoes and onions after breakfast. There are also cod and shrimp cakes served with boiled potatoes, carrots, and peas with chive sauce. That’s your dish.”

Liam had decided to serve it for tonight’s family-staff meal. He knew the staff would be dedicated to their tasks, including boiling eggs and chopping potatoes and onions for the seafood cakes. Billings Fish Market gave him a good deal on the fish, most of it pickled since it was winter. He didn’t serve oysters or eels because they could be had at a cheap price at any street corner or merchant’s cart. Eel shops had opened in the East End, becoming as popular as the fish and chip places. Liam would stay with his plan of serving food that was a notch or two above the street. “Timmy, you will work with me today. We will put on extra potatoes and will need more onions chopped. Several eggs need to be boiled hard for the cod and shrimp cakes.”

“Yes, Liam,” Timmy replied as he popped a piece of bacon into his mouth.

Tommy entered the room and laid a plate of treacle tarts on the table. “Mr. Eckley said these are for us to try, no cost. He also said he will have a complete menu for you tomorrow. Mrs. Eckley has her niece assisting, so there will be more offerings.”

Liam bit into the tart. Delicious. He would gladly give Eckley more business. “If any of you know trustworthy people who want to work here, let me know. I’ll be looking for night staff, a waitress, and another barman-waiter. Morrigan will be moving to the day staff later this week. I’ll also need someone to replace Teddy.”

After the breakfast dishes were cleared and washed, the staff simmered the stew on the stove as they prepared the fish chowder and cod and shrimp cakes. Once the free stew concluded, the kitchen staff had their assignments and got to work. Fiona joined them at ten o’clock and started preparing the sandwich fillings. The staff’s adaptability and resilience in the face of these challenges were genuinely commendable.

The kitchen smelled like a fish market, but that was to be expected. Even though it was chilly outside, the kitchen windows were open halfway to allow airflow and some relief from the hot gas cookers roiling at full tilt. Liam had also installed vents in the walls and extra windows so some air could circulate. It was during this mad dash to opening time that Morrigan entered the kitchen.

“Blimey. A man at the front entrance is asking to see Celia. I told him we weren’t open. But he said it was important.”

Blast it. “What’s his name?”

“He said he is the Earl of Winterwood.”