Page 18 of Miss Delectable
“I need nothing, Colonel, but what I want is hard to explain.”
“Try.”
This time when she sat, she took the second wing chair, next to his, and perched on the edge of the cushions.
“I want menus, Colonel. I want to plan the most talked about, impressive, enjoyable formal dinners. I want to be the genius behind the buffet that is too pretty to eat, but too delicious to resist. I want my Venetian breakfasts to be the delight of all who attend because they arebreakfasts, not mere excuses to flirt away the afternoon in Godmama’s conservatory.”
She spoke with the fervor of British officers who’d contemplated the conquest of France. Neither mountains, nor blizzards, nor bad rations, nor disease had been allowed to stand in their way, and Rye had shared that ambition.
Now rumor, the most insidious force of all, thwarted his plans.
“And if I could give you menus to plan?” he asked. “Would you take on Benny then?”
Miss Pearson swiveled her gaze to Rye. “I would if the decision were mine, but I would still lack the authority to hire her, sir. I am an employee at the Coventry, an underling. I have no more authority to hire staff there than a footman has authority to hire the boot-boy. You, however, are a family connection to one of the Coventry’s owners.”
Rye was brother to an owner’s wife. “I do not expect my sister to publicly acknowledge me.” In fact, Jeanette’s former in-laws had done their part to cast aspersion on Rye’s good name. The offending parties had left London several months ago, and yet, Rye was still the object of nasty rumors.
“You came when your sister was suffering with food poisoning,” Miss Pearson said. “Dropped everything and would not leave until you knew she was safe. Will you not allow the marchioness to exert a small degree of influence to aid Benny? The kitchen needs more hands, Colonel, and the club can well afford another apprentice on its books.”
Asking Jeanette for a favor was… Rye would sooner campaign across the whole of Spain in his bare feet.
“Crepes are simple to make,” Miss Pearson went on. “Start with five basic ingredients, always sift the flour twice, and allow the batter to rest before cooking. That’s important, the sifting and the resting.”
She sounded like Rye on the topic of Burgundian grapes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I’m talking about a young girl embarking on a profession that will support her well for the rest of her life and also make her happy. A word in your sister’s ear, and Benny can have her dream.”
Phrased like that, Rye could humble himself to make this request of Jeanette. A commanding officer put the welfare of his troops first. If the officer’s pride suffered, that was of no moment.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
Miss Pearson rose. “What’s the real reason you are reluctant to see Benny hired at the Coventry?”
Rye stood as well, as manners required. He’d secured Miss Pearson’s support for the plan, which had been the objective of the interview. That was progress.
“I have asked you to take her on,” he said, as they made their way from the parlor. “What makes you think I’m reluctant?”
“You are. I will keep her safe, Colonel. The Dornings do not tolerate bad behavior toward or among the staff. Monsieur will berate Benny regularly and perhaps reduce her to tears on occasion, but he will not strike her, and the footmen and waiters will not interfere with her.”
“Did Monsieur make you cry?”
Miss Pearson paused at the front door. “He did, and that was foolishness on my part. No man’s vanity is worth my tears. I would like to see Benny before I take my leave.”
Some man’s vanity had vexed Ann Pearson exceedingly. Whoever he was, Rye wished him to perdition.
“Benny is still in the stable,” he said, draping Miss Pearson’s cloak about her shoulders. “Why don’t I leave you ladies to have a private chat, and then I will walk you back to the Coventry?”
Miss Pearson took her hat from him, but didn’t put it on. “You need not provide me with an escort, Colonel. I am an undercook, not a grand lady.”
She had made the point before. Rye took her hat and set it gently on her head. “Nonetheless, I have it on the best authority that I am a gentleman, so I will meet you in the stable in a quarter hour. The back terrace is this way. Do come along.”
He strode down the corridor toward the library, and much to his surprise, Miss Pearson followed him without arguing.
* * *
“You hadthe lavender soap put in Benny’s room, didn’t you?” Ann asked as the colonel ambled at her side along the walkway. He apparently did not expect her to hang on his arm like some mincing ninnyhammer, but he did keep a pace Ann could easily match.
“What makes you think that?”
