Page 39 of A Housekeeper for the Earl of Drinkwater
He took a bite of the pastry, and his tongue was overwhelmed with flavours as lovely as the baker’s face. He looked at her with wide eyes, nodding with approval.
“These are incredible too,” he said. “I did not know you could cook too, Miss White.”
She giggled, and he could not help but shiver. Was there any prettier sound in the world?
“Nor can I, my lord,” she said shyly. “Those are the very first things I have ever made.”
Edward nearly choked.
“Surely, you jest,” he said. “I can hardly believe that someone who has never baked before could make something so wonderful on her first try.”
She smiled and blushed again, and his heart stopped.
“Mrs. Chantry helped me,” she said. “She has taught me a few recipes that I hope to try in the coming weeks.”
Edward nodded eagerly, glancing at his mother, who was savouring her own pastry.
“If the other things you have in mind are half as delicious as these, you may cook whenever you like,” he said.
The housekeeper’s face lit up, and she nodded.
“I am very much looking forward to it,” she said.
As they ate and drank their tea, Edward told his mother about the progress he was making with the estate, including his appointing a new bailiff and the renting out of the Dower House. His mother nodded as he spoke, smiling the entire time. He could not be sure, but he wanted to believe she was proud of him.
The countess was not the only one being attentive. Miss White listened with genuine interest, her eyes lighting up when he spoke about the harvest.
“Will you be planting corn?” she asked. “That is one of the best money crops, from what I hear.”
Edward grinned, impressed by her knowledge.
“I believe so,” he said. “That will come a little later, however. We must get the smaller, faster-growing crops like vegetables going first, to take to market and bring in some revenue to fund the seed for cereal crops.”
The housekeeper nodded.
“That is very wise,” she said. “I believe another profitable crop, if you can manage it, is tobacco. The market for tobacco grows exponentially by the day, I understand, and it is easy enough to grow, especially if you are already growing things like tomatoes and lettuce.”
Edward stared at her, beyond amazed.
“How do you know these things?” he said.
Miss White blushed.
“My father used to talk a great deal about business at the dinner table,” she said softly. “I listened to him and my mother talk about such things, and it was fascinating to me.”
Edward nodded, and the previous feeling of being enthralled by the housekeeper’s breadth of ability and knowledge returned. He felt embarrassed by it, but he simply could not stop staring at her.
“That is truly impressive,” he said, unable to hide the awe and wonder in his voice. “And speaking of impressive, what you have done to make the house a home again is little short of miraculous. Your hard work is appreciated more than you will ever know. Thank you, Miss White.”
The young housekeeper smiled so broadly, her dimples appeared. The familiar red crept into her cheeks, and once more, he found himself staring at her.
“Oh, that is a joy to me and not work at all, my lord. But I am of the opinion that whatisveryimpressive is everything you are doing to bring the estate back to life,” she said. “I admire all your efforts. It is exceptionally commendable.”
Edward felt his own cheeks grow hot, and he was quite unable to stop the silly smile he knew had spread across his face. He glanced at his mother, who was watching them and smiling in a way he hadn’t seen since before leaving to go to war.
He looked back at the housekeeper, pleased to see she was still looking at him. He continued smiling at her, relishing the feelings within him in that moment. It was as though they shared a rare connection, and it was knocking him off balance. Miss White was very sweet and thoughtful, and every bit as beautiful too. He realised that all gloomy thoughts about Caroline had flown out of his head, to be replaced with far nicer thoughts of the housekeeper. All at once, he felt more cheerful and happier than he had been in longer than he could remember.
“Excuse me,” said a weak, raspy voice. “But may I have some more tea, and another of those delicious almond pastries?”
