Page 96 of Catching Lady Theo
“Who took the champagne?”
“Apparently someone from Montagu House. I’m going to strangle Montague.”
“Recover what you can. I have a good stock of champagne I’ll send over. I also have a pastry chef who has very little to do at the moment. Write down what you want, and I’ll make sure it’s here. I can also ask my gardener about tulips. Several years ago, my mother ordered hundreds of them.”
“We decided to use daffodils, bluebells, and rhododendrons, but I would love to have tulips as well.” She tugged the bellpull. A footman entered immediately. “If Jones has not returned, please send the missive his grace will write. I also need a list of what Jacque wants done. His grace has a pastry chef as well.”
“If you’ll point me to a desk, I’ll write a missive to my butler telling him to arrange it all.”
“Yes, of course.” She opened the door to a parlor. “We have at least one writing desk in every room. Even if it is a very small one.”
“That’s efficient.”
“Thank you.” She smiled. “It was my idea.”
He went over to the small desk and pulled out a piece of paper.
“My lady.” The head maid, Simms, entered the room.
“Do not tell me there is something wrong with the table linens.” How could so many things go wrong?
“No, my lady. I just wanted to know if you’d like to inspect them.”
“It is a little late now.”
“Yes, but they are finally all ironed.”
That did not make sense. “I thought we were sending them out.”
“We were, but everyone at the laundry we used came down with something. They all had spots and some of them died.”
That sounded serious. “Please tell me that the linens were not taken there after all.”
“No. A messenger came before we sent them.”
“That is one good piece of news. Where are they?”
“In the supper room.”
“I’ll be right down.”
Chandos stood and handed her the note as Jones, her personal footman, entered and bowed. She gave it to him. “This must be sent to Chandos House immediately.”
“I’ll see to it, my lady.”
“I must see to the linens.” Theo started out the door.
“We’re coming with you,” Sarah said.
Leo grunted something Theo couldn’t understand.
When they reached the room, the tablecloths and napkins were piled on one long table. The head maid and laundress stood by. Theo carefully inspected them. “Excellent work.”
“Thank you, my lady.” The laundress curtseyed.
“Now we just need the footmen to return so that we can set up the tables,” Simms said.
Theo was about to ask how all of them were gone, but of course they were. “I can help.”
