Page 20 of His Duchess in Disguise
The table Mrs. Chambers indicated was completely empty, with a neat stack of white linen towels at one end. Another table stood beside the tubs. It was piled to overflowing with dirty dishes and vessels of every sort imaginable, from delicate crystal glasses to a great, iron pot that looked as if something noxious was stuck in the bottom of it.
As directed, Emma began with the delicate crystal glasses. Since her own household had been reduced to two servants, Emma did not give any thought to why she, a mere scullery, should be allowed to wash the fragile stemware. But she was careful with them, and soon had them neatly out of the way, placed upside down on a towel so they would remain clean.
At first, the work did not seem so bad. There certainly were a lot of dishes, but Mrs. Chambers had said that she was desperate for a scullery maid. The amount of work certainly indicated that there had not been one for at least a day or more. The place settings, silverware, and similar items were comparatively easy.
Her feet were already sore from walking, and her backside had taken its share of abuse from riding astride on Sir Faithless. Now, as she stood at the tub, hour after hour, washing dishes, her feet began to ache mercilessly, and so did her back, her hips and her thighs.
Just as she was scrubbing out the last pot, Robbie came in to help her change out the washing water in the large tubs. As soon as he emptied the tubs, he began filling them again.
“Why are you doing that?” Emma protested. “I just finished washing everything.”
Robbie laughed at her. “Them was yesterday’s dishes, left from when the scullion and the kitchen maid got caught in the linen closet. Have to give you credit, Kathy. You did more’n’ them two did together. Yer gonna get off light tonight because there’s no one dining at the high table, but you are going to get the upper servants’ dishes any minute now.”
Emma’s dismay must have shown on her face, because Robbie added, “It won’t be so bad. These are all fresh, an’ Mrs. Noddicott is particular about makin’ ever’one scrape off their plates. Why’n’t you grab a cup of tea out of the big pot, it’s over there for everyone all the time. Rest a minute while you can. The dishes will be down soon.”
As he went away, Emma realized that Robbie was wearing a trim uniform now instead of the nondescript rags he had on when she first met him.
Taking the youth’s advice, Emma got a clay cup from what seemed to be the common cupboard and ladled out a cup of tea. It was mint, she discovered, not tea from China or India.That makes sense. Mint can be grown in the manor garden and will cost only the time to harvest and dry it.I wonder why we didn’t ever grow mint?
Emma sipped the hot beverage. It was strong and unsweetened.
The aromatic steam curled up around her face, laving her skin, and seeping up her nose. She took only a few seconds with it; however, for she knew that there would be more work in the kitchen.
It did not take a practiced eye to see that the floor was not as clean as it might be, or that there were cobwebs in the upper corners. Someone—or several someones—undoubtedly had not been doing their jobs. Emma thought briefly of trying to do something about it, but she was already feeling the effects of her flight in addition to the work she had done.
She had just finished drinking her tea when a lanky footman brought down a tub of dirty dishes. Emma suppressed a groan, took up her dishcloth and prepared to do battle with what promised to be a never-ending stream of cups, plates, flatware, pots, and pans.
Well, you asked for this. You could have been Lady Cleweme and not had to ever work a day in your life.
Emma wondered for a moment if it really would have been that bad. But there was something about the man that she neither liked nor trusted.At least, down here as a scullery maid, all I really need to do to disguise myself is be extra sloppy with the grease and soot. No one is likely to connect Emma Hoskins with Kathy Smith, the scullery maid.I am safe, I have a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and I will even be paid for my disguise.
Even as she considered her situation, a little frisson of fear ran down her spine. Was she truly safe? She hoped so.
Chapter 14
Leo was tired, hungry, and irritated with his cousin, Reginald Stencombing. The relationship was distant. Reginald had been well out of the line of inheritance, but they had been playmates as children, and Reggie had worked his way from cabin boy on the Menhiransten up to Midshipman and was close to qualifying as an able seaman. Discovering him on the backside of a highwayman’s pistol did not bode well for the state of affairs at Menhiransten.
Leo, in his role as Duke of Menhiransten, was therefore pleasantly surprised when he found the entryway of the house in good order, the butler waiting for him, liveried footmen, and the familiar scent of mint and beeswax that always seemed to pervade the place.
Stablemen had met them and busied themselves ushering the herd of horses into paddocks, while under footmen found places for Captain Arnault’s men. Reggie and the captain accompanied Leo into the manor house.
“Welcome home, Your Grace,” the butler intoned. “How many shall I tell Cook to expect at dinner?
Leo glanced at Captain Arnault. “Thirty-five, Ad…uh, Your Grace. We are a trifle under strength.”
“Forty, Mr. Garner. There will be six for the high table. I would send the soldiers to the servants’ mess, but I fear their numbers would strain the seating in that area.”
“Very good, Your Grace. If it pleases you, we shall set up the great hall.”
“Excellent, Mr. Garner. Can you make rooms ready for Reggie and Captain Arnault?”
“Of course, Your Grace. It shall be seen to at once.” One of the footmen gave a bow and hastened out of the front hall.”
* * *
Down in the kitchen, Mrs. Chambers was in a dither. “Oh, my word! Whatever shall we feed all this lot? Robbie, you get to the cellar and bring up more vegetables. Miss Smith, leave off the washing up for now and help peel. We haven’t had time to get more serving staff, so the two of you are going to have to change uniform and wait tables. I know it is a lot to ask, but we are that shorthanded I don’t know what else to do.”
* * *
