Cook Halen was proud of her spotless kitchen, with its two large coal stoves, vertical dish racks, cupboards and a handsome array of pots and pans hanging on the wall. A serving bar separated the kitchen from the servant's dining hall, where Sarah and Charlotte sat at the long table waiting to be needed. Halen lightly touched the side of the heating teakettle. "She'll be wanting tea soon, I wager."
"I am sure she will," Sarah agreed. As head housekeeper and with so many rooms to keep clean, Sarah was thrilled to see new help arrive. "She's a beauty, that Miss MacGreagor."
"As beautiful as he is handsome," Charlotte agreed. "I could gaze upon his face for hours, if he would sit still long enough."
"He already has a wife," Sarah reminded, revolted once more by Charlotte's flaunted infatuation with their employer.
"I know."
Shepard carried a tray to the sink and began to set several dirty dishes in the deep metal tub for washing. "What a pity his wife did not come. He must be so disappointed."
"You'll not be sayin' that for long," Sassy said, poking her head in the door. She boldly walked to the table, took a seat next to Charlotte, and put her hands together as if to pray. "I am starved to the bone. Have you a crumb for a hungry Scot?"
Cook Halen liked her immediately and reached for a bowl. "You've come to the right place. Have you had no lunch?"
"We ate on the train, but I never seem to get full."
"That be the truth of it," Alistair said, appearing in the doorway. "Sassy makes up for all the meals she missed on the ship."
Sassy narrowed her eyes. "Dinna say all you know right off, Alistair. I hope to charm one or two afore they find out."
"Beggin' your pardon," Alistair said. He winked at Halen and watched her place a bowl of soup and a roll in front of Sassy. "She'll have you cookin' day and night if you let her." He pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Sassy.
Charlotte let Sassy finish a few bites before she asked, "Why do you say he'll not be happy to see his wife when she comes?"
Sassy looked at Alistair's stern expression. "I should not have said it."
"Indeed not," Alistair agreed.
"You know 'tis true, but…" Sassy argued.
Alistair was still frowning. "Sassy, we are not to speak ill of the duchess. Did we not agree?"
"I suppose we did, but…"
"But nothing, Sassy," said Alistair. "Dinna make me talk to Lady McKenna about it."
Sassy rolled her eyes. "As you wish…as you always wish, Alistair." Reluctantly, she went back to eating and kept quiet.