Sweet Deception Regency 07 - The Divided Hearts Read Online Free PDF Page B

appeared as if by
magic. She laughed in appreciation as she followed Simon to a door
leading to the back of the house.
    “Originally the kitchen was just an attached
lean-to. When I added to the rest, I incorporated a more modern
kitchen. Mrs. Baker was delighted,” Simon said, lowering his voice
to just above a whisper. “ Come out to the kitchen and meet the
redoubtable lady. I don’t imagine she’ll mind my intruding on her
province just this once.”
    From the things that her father had told her
about Timothy’s wife, Judith knew that Mrs. Baker ran Simon’s house
with the flexibility of a prison warder. She was a Londoner, wooed
and won by Timothy on one of his trips. Usually when either man
mentioned Mrs. Baker, their voices contained a note of awed respect
that bordered on fear. Her father opened the swinging door in the
dining room wall and Judith hurried to make the acquaintance of
“The Dragon of Newport” as her father referred to his
housekeeper.
    “Mrs. Baker?” Simon called tentatively. “I’d
like you to meet my daughter Judith.”
    “G’day to ye, Miss Judith,” chirped a tiny
voice.
    Judith’s eyes widened in disbelief as a
bird-like woman, scurried around the oak table, wiping her floured
hand on a voluminous apron that almost swallowed her up. She had
been prepared for an implacable giantess and instead found herself
looking down at a wizened brownie. As Mrs. Baker bobbed a tiny
curtsy, Judith smothered her laughter and managed to choke out,
“How do you do, ma’am.”
    “It’s me very own pleasure, miss,” Mrs.
Baker said in her sharp little voice.
    Listening to the old woman, Judith could
find nothing intimidating, yet her father cringed near the door as
though ready to bolt at the least sign of trouble. For herself,
Judith thought that the woman might welcome another female in the
house.
    “Master Hallowell’s been looking forward to
your visit.”
    “And, I too, ma’am.” Judith sniffed the air,
her mouth watering at the smell of bread which filled the kitchen.
“I’m delighted to meet you after all these years. Every time Father
came to England we had to listen to how much he missed your
cooking.”
    “Kettle’s on the hob. I’ll fix you sumthin’
after you’ve had a good wash.”
    To Judith’s amusement, Mrs. Baker pushed
open the door in obvious dismissal. So much for welcoming another
woman in the house. Without raising her voice, the housekeeper gave
the impression that the kitchen was her territory. Silently, Judith
followed her father until they stood once more in the dining room
staring at the gently swinging door as it closed with a gentle
swish. Judith’s eyes lifted to her father’s face, taking in the
look of harassed resignation. The humor of the situation caught
them at the same time and like children they covered their mouths
to stifle their laughter. Weakly Judith leaned against her father,
wiping away tears of mirth as he led her toward the stairs.
    Judith stopped, struck by the beauty of the
tall case clock set beside the staircase. The brilliant brass of
the clock face gleamed golden in the shadowed hallway. The case was
a deep honey-colored walnut, the richly burled grain almost asking
to be touched. She cocked her head, listening to the hollow ticking
in the otherwise silent hallway.
    “For shame, Father! Why ever is this tucked
away in such a dark corner?” she said, reaching out to stroke the
shining surface. “It’s truly beautiful.”
    “Now, now, Judith,” Simon said. “I’ll agree
that this is not the best viewing place. Your mother kept it in the
parlor but after she left the insistent ticking near drove me to
mayhem. Think on it, my dear. On a long winter’s night the tolling
of each second begins to eat away at the rational brain until you
find yourself focused on the ticking. Finally you are unable to
form a coherent thought or complete an action unless it is in
rhythm with each beat.”
    Laughing as Simon’s voice rose in