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"Much of it, one would suppose," Aunt Elinor promptly replied.
"In that case," Royce said in the tone of one issuing a royal edict, "the kitchens are now in your hands, and we will all look forward to excellent meals in future." Glancing toward Sir Albert Prisham, who was nearing the table, Royce arose and informed him, "I've just put the kitchens in the charge of Lady Elinor."
The thin steward's face was carefully blank, and he bowed politely, but the hand on the white cane clenched into a fist as he replied, "As I said, food is of little importance to me."
"Well, it ought to be exceedingly important to you, Sir Albert," Lady Elinor informed him authoritatively, "for you've been eating all the wrong things. Turnips, fatty foods, and hard cheeses ought never to be eaten by those with gout."
His face hardened. "I do not have gout, madam."
"You will!" Aunt Elinor predicted gaily as she, too, arose, all eagerness to begin foraging about in the gardens and woods for her ingredients.
Ignoring her, Sir Albert said to his lord, "If you are ready to begin our tour of the estate, we can leave at once." And when Royce nodded, he added coolly, "I trust you will not find my stewardship lacking anywhere other than the kitchens."
Royce gave him an odd, sharp look, then he smiled at Je
Je
Arik's face froze at this flat command to play escort to an elderly lady. He stalked off, positively radiating resentment and offended dignity, while Lady Elinor trotted excitedly at his heels. "We shall have a lovely time, dear boy," she said enthusiastically, "although this project will take several days, not merely one, for we're sorely in need of ingredients for my medicinals and ointments, as well as spices for food. I shall require clove to comfort the sinews, and mace, of course! Mace prevents colic, you know, as well as body fluxes and laxes-and then there's nutmegs, which are very beneficial for the cold and a bad spleen. And I shall take special care of your diet in particular, for you aren't well, you know. You've a melancholy disposition-I noticed that at once…"
Sir Eustace glanced around at the other knights, gri
Sir Lionel paused in his chewing and studied Arik's rigid broad back, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he replied after a moment's thoughtful consideration, "Arik is vexed."
Sir Godfrey leaned back to have a look for himself. "Aggrieved," he concluded.
"Colicky," Stefan Westmoreland added with a grin. In shared camaraderie, the men looked to Je
Only young Gawin, who'd arrived just in time to see Arik and Lady Elinor depart, spoke up in Arik's behalf. Glowering at the others as he seated himself at the table, he said, " 'Tis no fit job for a knight-squiring an old woman about while she picks herbs and gathers nuts. 'Tis a job for a lady's maid, not a knight."
Lionel gave the boy a good-natured cuff. " 'Tis thinking like that which leaves you forever in Lady A
Sensitive to Gawin's youthful embarrassment, Je
Gratitude flashed in Gawin's eyes before he turned a smug glance upon his fellows and then dug into his somewhat tasteless fare.
Je
Even allowing for complete wardrobes for Royce and herself and Aunt Elinor, Je
"The cream satin," Agnes burst out almost desperately, then she closed her mouth and her face resumed its habitual frown.
Je
"For you," Agnes said in a choked voice, as if forced to speak by some i
"Oh," Je
"The ermine to trim the sapphire brocade."
"And for the duke?" Je
"The dark blue velvet, the black, and that dark brown."
"I've little knowledge of fashion," Je