Free The Good Sister: Part Two by London Saint James

other ladies turn to look at me then bowed.
    “May I know your names?” I asked. They glanced at each other. “It’s all right; please, I wish to know each of you.”
    The older lady with red hair worn in a rolling braid around the crown of her head stepped forward. “I am Maragrete, and she,” she pointed to a younger blonde lady saying, “she is Florentine.” Florentine bowed her head. “And this is Jenney.” She introduced a petite woman with freckles then pointed to the woman in the corner with her black hair in a hair net. “And Charlotte ,” Maragrete finished.
    I looked at each lady. “Claudia, Maragrete, Florentine, Charlotte, and Jenney. I am pleased to meet you. My name is Trinity Winslow, but I know you have been instructed to call me my lady.  When we are alone, there’s no need to call me my lady. You can call me by my name.”
    “We dare not, my lady,” Maragrete said. “‘Tis not proper.”
    “Are you here to instruct us?” Claudia asked.
    “Instruct you? I don’t understand.”
    “Tell us what you would like for the menu,” Florentine clarified.
    “Oh, well, no actually. What does Ashton usually like to eat?”
    The ladies gasped and looked stricken.
    “Lord Archer consumes a lot of beef, poultry, not much in the way of fish,” Jenney offered.
    “Yes, Lord Archer,” I corrected, realizing my mistake by calling him Ashton. “I’m not sure of a menu. What were you going to serve for lunch?”
    “A water chestnut salad with leg of lamb along with asparagus tips,” Maragrete answered.
    “That sounds fine,” I said. They all smiled. “What time is lunch usually served?”
    “After Lord Archer’s swim, at one,” Jenney replied.
    “Lord Archer told me he swims. Does he swim every day?”
    Claudia nodded. “Yes. Lord Archer had the pool enclosed into the pool house a few years ago.  He will swim every day, several laps.”
    “I see,” I said.
    “Would you like to plan a party upon your return from the Queen’s charity ball in order to announce your engagement?” Claudia asked.
    “Should I?”
    Again the ladies looked stricken.
    “We do not presume to tell you what you should do, my lady,” Maragrete said.
    I gazed around the kitchen for a moment.
    “I would like to plan a party. We should invite all of Lord Archer’s friends. You know, all of the friends he had at his dinner party when I was here last. Lord Archibald, Lord Ironington, and the rest. And I wish to invite Jacqueline Rousseau along with her household.”
    “You will find writing paper for invitations in Lord Archer’s study,” Maragrete replied. I nodded. “We shall plan the meal with you, my lady.”
    “I’m afraid I’m not very good at planning meals. Is there anything in particular that Lord Archer finds appealing? ”
    “Pheasant,” Jenney said. “He shows a particular appeal toward pheasant.”
    “Then we shall have roasted pheasant,” I said.
    “What else, my lady?” Jenney asked.
    “I would greatly appreciate your suggestions,” I replied.
    Maragrete gave a hint of a smile. “Wild mushroom bread, spring greens with oranges, and spinach and goat cheese tartlets. I should also think white cream asparagus soup with perhaps lemon torts along with iced petits fours?”
    I heard the clopping of boots hit the floor behind me. I turned.
    “Oh! My Lady,” the man said then bowed quickly. “I did not mean—”
    “It’s fine. Don’t feel the need to apologize for entering the kitchen,” I assured. “We were just discussing food, nothing top secret.”
    The blond man smiled, lifted his head and chin, showing off a deep scar underneath his chin.
    “I am Maxmillian Dobbins, but most everyone calls me Max.”
    “Yes,” I said. “I remember you. Do you work in the stables all the time?”
    “Yes, my lady. I am in charge of the stables.”
    “Max, are you in there? I’m starving… OH!” he gasped once he saw me. His facial expression was horrified, or worried. “I am sorry, my