Page 73 of The Chef and the Countess

Chapter 22

Celia sat upright in bed, wearing her wool skirt and a simple white blouse. Acting as a patient did not appeal, and she only stayed in her room today because Drew insisted. Browsing through “Shilling Cookery for the People” by Alexis Soyer, the book that gave Liam’s life a decided purpose, she stopped at the front of the book and read:

Therefore you will perceive that nothing more disposes the heart to amicable feeling and friendly transactions, than a dinner well-conceived and artistically prepared.

Was this how Liam had found his joy? Could cooking be the only thing that touched his heart? It was a rather depressing thought. Celia always believed that if someone had a passion for a particular hobby, career, or object, surely that would translate to life itself and the people in one’s life. What did she know about passions since she lived such a sheltered life, with hardly any interaction with anyone besides Carlton and a few servants?

A sharp knock at the door tore her from her troubled thoughts. “Come in.”

Liam entered. The wind had tousled his hair, and he wore an apron under his coat. “There is someone to see you. The Earl of Winterwood.”

Celia blinked rapidly, completely shocked. “Here?”

“Aye. I’ll send him up. Use my parlor. I must return to the kitchen. We open in twenty minutes. I can’t spare anyone to serve tea, but I’ll ask Timmy to bring a few sandwiches. The water closet behind my bedroom has a cupboard with dishes. You’ll have to serve water.”

Celia had no idea Liam had his own WC in his flat. “Yes, I will do that. Thank you.”

Liam turned to leave, then stopped. “The family meal is at half past five. Can you attend?”

“I will be there,” she replied softly.

Liam disappeared into the hall.

Celia set the cookbook aside and stood. Taking her time, she made her way to Liam’s flat and stood in the doorway. A few minutes later, Franklin Gardiner, brushing snow from his shoulders, entered the hallway.

“Good day, my lord. Let us meet in here.” Celia stepped aside.

Winterwood removed his hat and bowed. “Thank you for receiving me, my lady.” The new earl followed her into Liam’s flat.

“You can hang your coat on the hook, my lord.”

“If you don’t mind, I will keep it on, my lady.”

After they sat across from each other, Celia asked, “What brings you here, my lord?”

“A telegram, my lady. From Mr. Hallahan. But it was more than that. I sent a cablegram to my wife soon after you departed, giving her the condensed details of what I had discovered of the late earl’s estate. She sent back a scathing rebuke of my behavior towards you, and I have come to make amends.”

Timmy knocked on the door, entered, and brought the platter into the parlor. “Thank you, Timmy. Please place it on the table.” He did and hurried away, closing the door behind him.

Celia stood slowly, holding her side.

“Are you injured, my lady?” the earl asked worriedly.

“Not severely; I will heal. I cannot offer you tea or coffee as there are no facilities here to prepare it, and everyone downstairs is hard at work serving the luncheon crowd. I can offer water.”

“That is satisfactory, my lady.”

Celia located the cupboard Liam had spoken of and grabbed two small plates, mugs, and paper napkins. She also found a tray. After filling the mugs with water, she strode into the parlor, taking small, careful steps.

Franklin Gardiner jumped to his feet and hurried toward her. “Allow me to take the tray.”

Celia gladly gave it up. Once seated, his lordship took the small plate and placed the sandwich wedges on it.

“You mentioned amends, my lord?”

“Yes. Allow me to apologize. I followed Mr. Sanderson’s suggestions because he assured me that was how peerage estates were settled. He promised me your family would look after you and that this was how it’s done. What do I know about such things, being from Canada? We are a commonwealth country but do not follow such strict rules of society.”

“Not to agree with Mr. Sanderson, but as a solicitor to the earldom, he followed the letter of the law, such as it is. His primary concern was keeping the earldom intact for you as the new earl. A dowager countess with no dowry or mention in the will is not deemed important.”