Page 78 of The Chef and the Countess

“Bruce, have your cousin come see me tomorrow after his shift. What’s his name?”

“Robert Shepherd. He’s twenty-five and almost as big as me.”

“Brilliant. Anyone else?”

“I’ve someone,” Sally exclaimed. “My older sister, Susanna. She’s looking for a job. She’s got experience working in in a pub.”

“When can she start?” Liam asked.

“Tomorrow night, if you want. I’m sure she’ll say yes.”

“Well, this is all clicking into place. Tell your sister she’s hired, Sally. Morrigan, you can move to the day staff starting tomorrow. You’ll work with me in the kitchen until you learn the rhythm.”

“Sounds good, Liam,” Morrigan replied with a smile. “I’d like to learn about the cooking, and such. I know how to make excellent pork chops.”

“Brilliant.”

“We need another apprentice!” Tommy interjected.

“True enough,” Liam replied.

Timmy raised his hand. “I know where you can get plenty of apprentices—The Strand Workhouse. I was there for three years and knew many boys there.”

“Good lad, Timmy. You and I will plan a trip next week, and you can help me select one or two.”

Excited chatter broke out around the table. Liam spoke of the large boxes of food delivered, and they decided to offer crab croquettes and cheese puffs to the pub customers tonight at one shilling a plate. His gambling customers could afford it.

After the meal, everyone gathered their dishes and headed into the kitchen. Celia stood and picked up her empty plate. She looked at Liam. “We need to talk,” she said.

Liam nodded. “I’ll see you in your room in ten minutes.”

She entered the kitchen where the boys were already doing the dishes. Morrigan and Sally were loading trays with glass mugs and whiskey glasses, and Bruce and Jack carried a barrel of ginger beer from the cellar. The transition from restaurant to pub was in full swing.

Fiona took her hand. “I hope you stay with us,” she murmured. “But I understand if you don’t.”

“Thank you, Fiona. I will tell the rest of the staff soon of my circumstances. I have much to think about first.”

“About Liam, too, I imagine. He’s a stubborn bloke. Thanks to you, he’s opened up to the staff. He ate breakfast with us this morning, chatting and laughing. It warmed my heart to see it.”

“I am glad. That warmth and openness have not translated to me, however. Not fully.”

“It will, I know it,” Fiona whispered fiercely, keeping her voice low so the others would not hear. “Don’t give up on Liam. He’s worth the trouble, I promise you. He has so much love to give. He’s been storing it up all his life. I hoped someday a lovely lady would bring it out of him. You are that lady, Celia. You need each other. You love each other. Don’t be put off by his dogged efforts to stay detached.”

“You are wise,” Celia replied. “And you and Bruce?”

“As you said, ducks, I will grab happiness with both hands. So should you. Good advice for us all.”

Celia nodded and smiled, then took her coat off the hook. Fiona assisted her, slipping it over her shoulders.

“I can do the sandwiches for another day,” Fiona offered.

“How about we do them together?”

“Good plan. See you in the morning.”

Celia stepped outside. Gentle flurries fell from the night sky. At least three inches of snow had accumulated in the past few days. Once she reached her room, she sat upright on the bed, waiting for Liam to arrive. She would have it out with him tonight. Choices had to be made on both their parts.

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