Page 74 of An Earl to Remember
She gasped. “There is not enough time, my lord!”
“I have full confidence in you, Miss Heyford.”
How wretched her heart was to flutter so. “How many people must I cater to?”
“Thirty.”
“Are you so certain of the numbers?”
“No one will refuse this invitation, Miss Heyford, and my guests will be from society’s most distinguished and influential families.”
“You trust me to do this, my lord?”
His eyes darkened as they searched her face. “Yes, Miss Heyford, I do,” he said softly.
A knot of impossible feelings tightened below her breastbone. “I must head to the kitchens right away and start planning!”
This appeared to startle him, but he dipped his head, led her outside, and introduced her to his staff. Though she wanted to dance and twirl, Georgianna kept her expression serene when he informed the housekeeper that whatever she wanted from the markets and butcher would be procured at all costs. This was the perfect opportunity to provide food that would see her worthy of the patronage of thehaut ton’s most distinguished families. There must be no room for mistakes or distractions.
The earl went to his library, and Mrs. Chambers took her to the kitchen where she met the earl’s cook, a gentleman who stared at her with some suspicions but soon relaxed after he realized her presence in his space would only be for a brief time. The kitchen itself was magnificent with a large workspace in the center. The kitchen boasted several cabinets and a gas range stove. A far cry from the wood cookstove she used in Crandell. Excitement thrummed through her.
Georgianna fitted an apron and worked on the courses she hoped would delight his grandmother. That evening, with a wonderful kitchen staff to assist her, she prepared roasted quail, thin slices of braised pork, vegetables, delicate chicken-filled pastries, and fish in a crème sauce. It was carried out to the earl at dinner, and she watched from the doorway as he forked a piece of the pork. Ecstasy transformed the earl’s face at the first bite. She dipped her head and hid her smile even as pleasure burst inside her chest.
“Compliments, Miss Heyford. Do you plan to remain hidden in the doorway and watch me eat all evening?”
How had he known she was there? Georgianna ventured forward.
“What is it?” he asked after taking another bite.
“Braised pork.”
A dark brow winged upward. “I am certain I have eaten this before, but this taste is new somehow.”
“The secret is in the spices,” she said with a small smile. “I would like to add these as traditional English fares to the grand dowager’s courses, considering some might find the other food too rich and diverse.”
“Have you thought of a menu?”
She dipped into the pockets of her dress, withdrew a paper, and handed it over.
He held the list toward the light. “Bisque of prawns, oyster soup. Goose, à la flamande, partridge pie… What is this note beside the pie?”
Georgianna hid her smile. “It is a spicy dish and uses white sauce and cayenne pepper. Does your nana like pepper?”
“She does,” he murmured, scanning the rest of the menu. “Salmon served with lobster tail and chopped truffles. À la Claremont, braised beef with mushroom sauce, veal with allemande sauce, neck of lamb served with a while Toulouse ragout, calf feet braised in blanc served with potato croquettes and calf feet fried in batter and served with Italian sauce.” Daniel glanced at her. “You have a thing for feet, hmm?”
She laughed, leaning closer to peek at the extensive list. “Do you also approve of the longevity noodles? It is really called yi mein, a noodle that is served with oyster sauce, garlic chives, and mushrooms. It should hopefully remind your nana of her travels to the east. It symbolizes longevity, prosperity, and good fortune.”
The earl lowered the list to the table, holding her regard. There was a wealth of emotions in his gaze she could not interpret, and Georgianna’s heart squeezed. He shifted and his fingers barely brushed her wrist, yet small tingles of sensation shot through her skin and her nipples tightened.
“I shall leave you to review the list,” she said softly, stepping away.
“I am certain my grandmother will enjoy these, thank you.”
Glancing away from his probing stare, she cleared her throat delicately before meeting his eyes once again. “I have an early morning, my lord. If you will excuse me, I must retire for the night.”
“Very well, Miss Heyford, I wish you a restless and tormenting sleep.”
The laughter pealed from her before she could restrain it, and he smiled, lifting his glass to her in a silent toast. She could feel his stare upon her as she left the elegant dining room. Once in her room, she leaned against the door, easing a long breath from her lungs. Georgianna removed her clothes, tumbled onto the bed, and hugged the soft pillow.
