Free Back in Service by Rosanna Challis Page A

were in the stillroom together, the formidable nurse suddenly loomed in the doorway.
    ‘Lady Alice told me you would be here,’ she announced. ‘Sir Victor is almost out of Hungary water and will need more soon. Make sure it is good and strong.’ She glared at the pair of them in such a way that Hetty found herself feeling guilty even though she had no cause to. Something about Nanny Baines made her blood run cold and she was relieved when the woman turned and left as abruptly as she had arrived.
    ‘That woman,’ she muttered. ‘Have you had much to do with her, Jane?’
    ‘Very little, but she has found cause to scold me on several occasions. I do not think she has ever given me a pleasant word.’
    ‘I doubt she is capable of it. She is a real sour puss, that one, and her size and strength make her seem more of a man than a woman. But I suppose you would have to be strong to turn Sir Victor and lift him in and out of his wheelchair. No doubt she is good at her job.’
    ‘Hetty,’ Jane said anxiously, ‘what is Hungary water?’
    ‘You have not made it before? Never mind, I shall help you.’
    ‘But what is it for?’
    ‘It was invented for a Hungarian queen who lost the use of her limbs.’ Hetty knew a great deal about herbs and their uses. Being fascinated by the topic, she often consulted the old Herbal in the library. ‘Sir Victor must believe it will cure his paralysis. I dare say he uses it liberally on his legs, so we will need to make a good quantity.’ She scanned the shelves, where jars, crocks and bowls held the precious harvest of herbs, spices and dried flowers. ‘I think everything we need is here.’
    She instructed Jane, and watched as the girl weighed out the dried ingredients – rosemary, lavender, wallflower, mint, rose petals and lemon peel. Then she showed her how to pound cloves and cinnamon in the pestle and mortar, and as she worked with Jane’s small hand in hers, she detected a faint flush on her cheek that made her heart start beating faster.
    When the dry mixture was prepared, she showed Jane how to measure the alcohol for steeping, and then it was all poured into a crock and well sealed. ‘You must check it every few days, and if the scent is not strong enough you must repeat the procedure with fresh ingredients.’
    ‘Oh, thank you for showing me all that, miss.’ Her sweet mouth pursed to bestow a kiss, and to Hetty’s surprise instead of pecking her cheek Jane kissed her full on the lips.
    Now it was her turn to blush as familiar feelings swept through her body. She was accustomed to experiencing such arousal when Leo caressed her, but not when another woman kissed her, and it made her wonder what Jane was feeling. One glance at those rosy cheeks and bright eyes suggested she had found the experience somewhat titillating, too.
    Embarrassed, she ordered Jane in a businesslike tone to tidy the shelves. ‘You will be all right here now? I have not yet discussed today’s menu with cook.’
    She averted her gaze. ‘Yes, Hetty,’ she murmured, ‘and thank you so much.’
    Later, Jane informed her that Nanny Baines had returned to the stillroom and, finding her alone, threatened her with punishment if the Hungary water should prove unsatisfactory to Sir Victor.
    ‘Do not fret, Jane, it will turn out to be the very finest of toilet waters.’
    ‘Miss Hetty… will you allow me to dress your hair? Lady Alice has been very critical of my hairdressing of late and I think I need more practice.’
    ‘Why certainly, Jane, let us sit in front of her ladyship’s dressing table so we can see ourselves in the mirror.’ Hetty knew Lady Alice was in the village doing charitable work that afternoon, so it was safe to be in her room and take the liberty of using her dressing table. She sat down on the silk covered stool, took the pins out of her hair and let it tumble down over her shoulders.
    At once Jane plunged both hands into her mane. ‘Oh Miss Hetty, you have such beautiful