Oops, sorry folks. I set this live too soon.
Here, for your reading pleasure is the corrected version. We continue with the scene from last week’s Bookhooks, from my Victorian Christmas romance, Courting the Stationmaster’s Daughter (Camden Girls, book one). This is Chapter one…continued, when Honorine gets home. Her mother is a bit testy in this one:
Isabelle paused before the stove, holding her hands out to the heat.
The scent of spices, flours, and gravy filled Honorine’s nose, yet she ignored the tasty temptation, to fit in beside her sister, relishing the stove’s warmth.
Mother looked over the various bowls and utensils then addressed their cook. “Agatha, we’re having a guest for dinner tonight.”
Agatha, who doubled as both cook and housekeeper, studied the joint of mutton she seasoned, and the other ingredients piled near the cutting board.
“I know. It’s going to be a stretch. But we must make do.”
The cook dipped her head in obeisance. “Very good, ma’am.”
Honorine exchanged a glance with her sister and shrugged. The mutton would be enough to feed them all, plus the neighbors, Honorine suspected.
“What was your father thinking?” Mother took up the subject again. “What will happen between now and when he arrives? He’s likely to invite the entire London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway board home with him.”
Honorine wrung her hands before her. “I can take a smaller portion, if it will ensure Mr. MacIntyre has plenty.”
“No.” Mother touched her shoulder. “Lunch at the inn’s expense is fine and good, but I won’t have that strange man taking food from my daughters’ mouths.”
“He’s not a strange man, Mother.” Honorine nodded to Isabelle. “He’s our friend and Father’s employee.”
Mother paused, studying Isabelle. “Yet, you were not the one to invite him; your father did.”
This meant she couldn’t send Mr. MacIntyre home without supper as she might if Honorine or Isabelle had suggested inviting him.
Agatha slid another bowl forward. Isabelle gasped, for the bowl contained a supply of peeled potatoes. “Oh, Mother! We can’t serve those tonight.”
Confusion flitted across their mother’s features. “Whatever do you mean?”
Isabelle crossed to the woman and plucked a potato free. “These, Mother. They’re cursed, as far as Sha—I mean, Mr. MacIntyre might be concerned. Have you forgotten?”
“Forgotten what? I thought he was Scottish.”
“Forgotten what? I thought he was Scottish.”
“His mother is but when she married his father they moved to Ireland.”
Mother’s gaze grew distant, even as she stared at the potato-filled bowl. “I see.”
“He’s half and half, actually.”
“I gathered that.” Mother cut her off, not bothering to question, as Honorine once had, exactly from where on the island Shane hailed. “I’m sure Mr. MacIntyre will realize we didn’t have time to rearrange the menu for specific needs.” Mother waved a hand at the cook. “Agatha, do as you were about to.”
Worry etching itself into her pretty face, Isabelle crossed to Honorine and lowered her voice. “There’s nothing for it. You’ll have to keep him distracted, so he won’t notice what she’s giving him. Maybe you can tell him to come later tonight.” A smile played around her sister’s lips. “I’ll tell Miss Pett to leave your window unlocked for him.” Honorine was so surprised, she laughed aloud.
What happens at this dinner? You’ll have to read to find out.
Read the first part of the scene here. And the second part here.
Or if you wish, purchase Courting the Stationmaster’s Daughter (Camden Girls, book one) yourself here:
Read more about this completed series here. Buy the series here.
image from Stocksnap/Pixabay.
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Header pic: “Berry Snow Heart” by Tina Phillips/Freedigitalphotos.net
