Page 42 of A Housekeeper for the Earl of Drinkwater
She was just working herself into a frenzy when the other door to the kitchens swung open. She whirled around and met Mrs. Chantry face to face.
“Oh, heavens,” Serena gasped, covering her face with her hands and giggling. “You scared me to death.”
Mrs. Chantry laughed, patting Serena on the back.
“Were you not expecting me?” she teased with a wink.
Serena sighed, catching her breath.
“I was just beginning to wonder if you would come,” she said. “I was afraid you might have felt ill again, or that the earl had said I could not cook with you this morning.”
The elderly housekeeper beamed.
“Quite the contrary, on both counts, my dear,” she said, clapping her hands. “I have not felt so good in what feels like ages. And Lord Drinkwater is thrilled to find you’re taking an interest in cooking. He said, ‘’If your almond pastries were any indication of your skills, he is happy to grant you time every day, if you wish, to practice your cooking.”
Serena blushed, delight bubbling up inside her.
“I am so excited,” she said. “I just hope that I do not disappoint.”
Mrs. Chantry gave her an encouraging smile.
“Cooking is not as hard as you might think,” she said. “Come, let us get started, so that I can show you.”
First, Mrs. Chantry showed her all around the kitchens. She already knew where some of the things were from her adventure making the almond pastries. But the elderly housekeeper spent half an hour showing her where every single utensil and dish that might ever be used lived.
“Believe me, this is of the utmost importance,” she said in a voice not unlike that of a governess. “Your success and failure in the kitchen very often depends on your knowledge of where everything is located.”
Serena furrowed her brow, confused.
“Why?” she asked.
Mrs. Chantry smirked at her and giggled.
“Do you remember your first attempt at cooking with just the recipes?” she asked, nodding knowingly.
Serena laughed.
“You are so right, Mrs. Chantry,” she said. “I will memorise where everything is by the end of the morning.
And she did precisely that. By the time they were finished for the day, she could point to every cabinet and drawer and tell the senior housekeeper what was in them.
She could also make excellent dough for both bread and cookies, and she could cut up fruit and vegetables and peel potatoes as if she had been doing it all her life. When they were finished, Mrs. Chantry hugged Serena, smiling at her proudly.
“You are a very quick study, my dear,” she said. “You will soon be able to rustle up any dish anyone might request in no time.”
Serena blushed, smiling proudly.
“What will we do with this dough?” she asked.
Mrs. Chantry shrugged.
“I must go and lie down for a bit,” she said. When Serena looked alarmed, she laughed. “I am not sick again, I promise. But after so long in bed, you would be surprised at how quickly one tires, even when one is well.”
Serena nodded, smiling at the housekeeper.
“Would you like me to see you in your apartments?” she asked.
Mrs. Chantry shook her head.
