Page 12 of The Rise of a Forsaken Lady
“Do you need anything else, My Lady?” he asked while stepping back.
“Er…a sugar bun?” Her voice was very unsure and very timid. Heath went to fetch the roll and laid it before her. “Thank you.”
“Good morning, Mr. Moore,” Lord Allerton greeted as he strode into the room fixing his cuffs. He then looked up and saw his sister, “Oh, Penelope, good morning to you too. Coffee, Mr. Moore, please.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
Fetching the carafe, Heath poured the cup and laid it before him. “Anything else, My Lord?”
“No, thank you,” Lord Allerton shook his head.
Taking his place in the corner, Heath scanned the room and noted the placement of the windows and the dangling chandelier overhead. There was one framed painting on the wall, that of lovely countryside meadow, blanketed with wildflowers and a quaint cottage in the background.
The conversation between the lord and the lady was casual; Heath, however, made a point to not be obvious of following their every word.
“I did not get a chance to say it last night, Penelope,” the Earl said. “But you were out of place. You know better than to speak thus to a lord of the realm. It is called tact, sister. Anyhow, I have apologized for you.”
Lady Penelope sipped her tea, and when she spoke, her voice was calm, “Why was an apology needed? Perhaps if Lord Hillbrook had rememberedhistact, there would not have been an issue in the first place.”
“Mr. Moore,” Lord Allerton said tightly. “Would you please see Mrs. Burcham and have her make me a plate of coddled eggs, grilled kidney, and her seasoned potatoes? Thank you.”
Bowing, Heath gave an affirmative and went to the kitchen, not even trying to pretend that going for a meal that would take time to cook was not a request for privacy. Entering the domain of the diminutive cook, he wondered what Lady Penelope had said to Lord Russell to get her brother so riled up.
“Mrs. Burcham,” he greeted formally. “Lord Allerton is requesting coddled eggs, grilled kidney, and your seasoned potatoes.”
The cook smiled, “It’s best for you to take a seat, Mr. Moore, that request would take a while.”
“Do you need any help?” Heath asked while peering over at the lady’s five-foot statue. “It is not in my nature to sit down if I can help.”
“Do you know how to dress potatoes with oil and bake them with herbs?” Mrs. Burcham asked, knowing full well he did not.
“Er, no,” Heath said. “I can do a lot of things, but I cannot do that.”
The cook tapped him on the arm, “Then relax, Mr. Moore, I know you don’t. Why don’t you take up another pot of tea up while I get on it? Tell His Lordship that I will be with him shortly.”
“I was sent away because His Lordship and Lady Penelope have delicate matters to discuss,” Heath replied. “If it’s the same to you, I will wait a few more minutes.”
“Wise decision, young man,” the lady patted his arm. “We need a few more men like you with that kind of discretion.”
Heath lingered in the warm kitchen, looking keenly on how the lady went about making His Lordship’s breakfast until the cook gave him a whistling teapot. Nodding, he took a cloth and grasped the handle. His steps were measured going back to the dining room in case the siblings were still speaking about the private matter, but he arrived into a whole different conversation.
“We really need another ball?” Lady Penelope’s voice was loaded with exasperation. “It’s been only a month since the last one.”
“I would like to celebrate Russell’s arrival,” the Earl said. “It is not as if we cannot afford it, and you need some socialization. Come on, Penelope. You cannot hide in this house for the rest of your life.”
“I…” Lady Penelope’s eyes flitted up to see his and her lips pressed tightly, “may we speak on this later?”
Lord Allerton picked on her cue, and his eyes darted to Heath for a fleeting moment, “Certainly.”
“Pardon me, My Lord,” Heath replied. “Mrs. Burcham says she will be right with your breakfast.” Settling the teapot on a serving tray, he stepped away.
“I am finished,” Lady Penelope said while standing and facing her brother. “I’ll be in the garden when you need me.”
Heath watched her leave, knowing that she was hurting but knew it was not his place to do anything about it. Lord Allerton sat at the table, sipping his coffee with stiffness in his jaw. He wondered what had occurred between the time he was gone and returned.
A bell rang and he realized it was coming from the kitchen; and excused himself to get the requested meal.
Lord Allerton was standing at a window with his hands clasped behind him and staring out with his shoulder in a rigid line when he came back. It was as though the old-world god Atlas had taken his celestial burden off his shoulder and laid it on the Earl’s.
