Times changing belowstairs (4)

Tibby looked into the servants’ sitting-room, and was pleased to observe Euphemia sitting there alone, a-writing up her book very diligent. She went in and quite threw herself down into an easy-chair, sighing.

What’s ado with you? – has this fine offer of going tend to the future Duchess fallen through?

Tibby shook her head. O no, all is entire in train for that, I cannot complain, indeed, she goes be quite pressing for me to go attend her even before the wedding takes place – I fancy she requires one to manifest her consequence during the preparations, young as she is and unused to Society. Sure Lady Wallace quite doats upon her, and Bellamy has a very nice hand at keeping her in the crack o’fashion, but I fancy a younger eye cannot hurt for Miss Knowles, that is of a very different style of looks.

No, she went on, indeed I might even, was it not unchancy to say so, have some confidence in the matter. What I am in a concern about is Docket, that I am feared will go about to overdo once more when I am not here to take matters out of her hands and save her effort – la, she will say she will have Prue undertake any heavy matters of ironing &C and mayhap she will. But what will happen does Madame – Her Ladyship – go this expedition she talks of to Naples? 'Tis all very well to say, O, there will be maidservants about the villa! – but who knows how adept they may be at the tasks she would require and how forward in performing 'em? And will they even understand English? Would they be able to manage her drops properly did she come about to have an attack?

Euphemia put her pen down beside the inkpot on the table, wafted her book through the air a time or two, blew on the page, and closed it up. She looked at Tibby with a very thoughtful expression.

Tib, she said at length, have been listening to Marcello – sure he has gone be very handy in assisting me in the kitchen –

Oho, does he have a notion to you, or you to him?

Euphemia snorted. Naught o’the kind. No, it minds him of Giuseppina, that he was used to aid in like fashion at the villa, that I fathom is some relative of his, and he is greatly fond of. Has been telling me about what an excellent fine cook she is, and what a pity 'tis that no-one in London knows any of the dishes that were familiar to him – for they are entire different from the Italianate receipts Seraphine had of Signor Vivanti’s maestro della cucina, that is from some other part – and while I daresay one could not come at all the necessary things here one might manage –

She clasped her book in her hands. And I have the greatest desire to go learn of her, and have persuaded him to teach me a little of their tongue, and wonder about asking Her Ladyship –

Tibby shook her head. Fie, she said, do you ask her, she will go consult with Hector, 'tis his word will count.

Euphemia sighed. And he still considers us as giddy girls –

Tibby pursed up her lips. Mayhap and mayhap not! For 'Phemia, has he gone suggest that once this quiet year of mourning is over, and Her Ladyship may mingle in Society, that she should look about for another cook of greater years? So that she may perchance give dinner parties? Has he considered upon any in our connexion that might suit? Here is Seraphine says there are those in the Raxdell House kitchens shocking kept back under M. Duval, could entire have their own kitchens, has he asked her to recommend one or another? He has not, and I fancy he would have been beforehand in the matter. No, I am like to think he comes around to have confidence in you – has he ever gone bother you over the kitchen accounts?

No-o –

Did he suppose you a giddy girl I fancy he would scrutinize every line and interrogate you as to your dealings with the traders that come to the door.

I confide Seraphine trained me proper!

Tibby grinned. La, he knows that you are in good practices –

They both giggled.

– but, here I begin to have a plan. Do you wait a little while, and I will give you the sign when 'tis prudent to go speak to Hector. Now, do you let me dress your hair –

***

Hector took the letter from his uncle Ajax’s hand and perused it. A very civil missive! Indeed, more than civil – He looked up at Ajax, that could not quite conceal a certain eagerness at the prospect laid out therein.

Sure this is exceeding generous of Captain Penkarding and his good lady! – to offer to take our carriage nags while Her Ladyship is out of Town so that they may recruit in country air, and that you would be more than welcome – he expresses himself very flattering about your capacities –

Why, said Ajax, cannot deny I rode a good few winners for the Captain, fancy I might convey a few hints to the lads he has in training, see how his cattle come along – while I should not wish to live out in those rural parts, would make an agreeable holiday.

Hector apprehended that there was come about quite an accord 'twixt Her Ladyship and that very different style of lady that was the wife of the present – lunatic – Marquess of Bexbury, and living with Captain Penkarding as his business partner. Dared say this would please her – and while had had some thought that 'twould be beneficial to have Ajax about the place did he himself go with Her Ladyship upon this jaunt, sure Timothy came to impressive inches – Sim Jupp no distance along the mews –

He nodded. 'Tis very answerable, he said, and indeed I was in some fret as to what to do about the horses while we were gone – mayhap have Sam Jupp or one or other of his brothers come exercize 'em – this is a deal better.

Ajax, that had long since grown a deal too heavy for a jockey, did not precisely skip as he left the butler’s pantry, but there was a jaunty spring in his step.

Hector returned to his task of drawing up the inventory of all the items that should be sent to the bank for the duration of Her Ladyship’s absence – the good silverware &C – no need to leave temptation for robbers!

But he felt it, somehow, his own duty to accompany her on this visit to her late husband’s property in the Two Sicilies. Did not know why 'twas – there was not just the late Marquess’s pet assassin going with her, there was Lord Raxdell, that was famed for his accomplishments with sword and pistol – and while Mr MacDonald was a man of peace, was also a man of learning that spoke several languages that must be of the greatest utility in their travels.

Felt as if 'twas the proper thing to do.

There was a hesitant tap on the door.

Come in!

Entered Euphemia, and made a small dip.

Hector looked at her, and had the worrying thought – had he not seen her and Tibby with their heads together lately? – that she too had some thought of quitting the household for a new place. Was understandable – would be dull for her while Her Ladyship was away – though was still young was already competent in her art – might well wish to go acquire further skills mayhap in some larger establishment –

He softened his expression and enquired her purpose.

She twisted her hands together and said, here was Marcello telling her about the fine dishes of his native parts, and that Giuseppina, the cook at the late Marquess’s villa, was an entire mistress of the art, and she had the greatest desire to go learn of her.

Why, that was a very prepossessing thing! Hector would ever favour those with a desire to improve themselves, to develop their capacities –

He smiled at her and said, an excellent good thought!

And, it came to him, here was a solution to the problem Tibby had put to him about Docket – he had no thought of preventing Tibby from pursuing this excellent advancement that came her way, but one could not ignore that Docket had this little trouble of health, and that it was indeed desirable to have one that might prevent her from overdoing, and apprehend the needful care over her drops &C. Had wondered a little about taking Prue with 'em, but Phoebe would doubtless want Prue, that was very handy and hard-working, even was she not very forward about matters, to aid in the good turn-out she intended.

There is a thing, he went on, that Tibby has opened to me, that it would be as well was there one to undertake certain matters for Docket –

Euphemia nodded emphatically and said that Tibby had said as much to her, was very concerned.

– so, might you take on those duties as well –

O, cried Euphemia, indeed I would! For I am sure Mrs Giuseppina would not wish me underfoot all the time – I can ask Tibby what I must do – all the needful does Docket have a turn –

Hector beamed. Here were Tibby and Euphemia, that not so long since had been giddy girls, came about to be young women that understood good practices. Well, he said, of course I must ask Her Ladyship, but I think she will see the sense in this course.

Oh, thank you!

As he watched her quite dance out of the pantry, he realized what an exceedingly fine young woman she had grown. And thought how agreeable it would be to have a familiar companion of his own sort on this voyage into foreign parts. He would most certainly advance the advizability of her joining their party to Her Ladyship.