Murder on Charles Street - Leighann Dobbs Page 0,4
in good spirits. Relief quickened Katherine’s heartbeat, and she snatched her dog from the windowsill, twirling her around until Emma started to wriggle free. She hugged the dog to her chest. “You’re well again!”
So well, in fact, that she had returned to announcing the arrival of strangers in the neighborhood. A month had passed since they’d moved to Charles Street, and Emma had grown accustomed to the residents. The staff of the various houses and frequent visitors, she’d learned to ignore. However, Emma continued to announce the presence of strangers and dogs, no matter the time of day.
This morning, Katherine didn’t mind being roused from a fitful sleep. It was a sign that Emma was healthy once more. Grinning, she turned to the array of trunks housing her clothes due to the lack of a wardrobe. Thoughtfully, Harriet had laid out the day’s clothes.
Despite the fact that it took her half an hour longer to don the dress and fashion her hair without Harriet’s help, Katherine’s spirits buoyed as she carried Emma downstairs for breakfast. An enticing smell of cooked oats met her nose. Following it, she reached the Spartan breakfast room. Harriet was already there, laying out two place settings for breakfast, as she’d taken to eating her meals with Katherine. In a house with no other servants, there was no need for formality.
Tucking her unruly brown hair behind one ear, Harriet smiled at Katherine. “You’re awake. I was about to see if you wanted some breakfast.”
Katherine balanced her dog on the swell of her hip. “Why didn’t you wake me sooner? Pru and Lord Annandale arrive within the hour.”
Harriet shrugged sheepishly. “You were up so late with Emma… I thought you needed the extra sleep.” She held out her hands for Emma. “Come here, girl. I have something for you too.”
As Harriet fussed with the dog, straightening the ribbon decorating her neck, Katherine took a seat. She couldn’t restrain the grin that split her face. “She’s completely recovered. I can’t believe it.” Though why she had doubted Dr. Gammon’s expertise, she didn’t know. He’d always given her cause to believe him skilled at his work.
“Not entirely recovered. I had to take her outside at least three times this morning, but she is in far better spirits today than she was yesterday. I’m going to try her with a little fresh meat and see how her stomach handles it.”
Katherine nodded and peered into her empty bowl. “You mentioned breakfast?”
Harriet set the dog in the corner by a dish, where Emma happily lapped up the morsels left for her. Turning back, Harriet hefted a pot with triumph. Skillfully wielding the ladle, she scooped up the contents and deposited them into Katherine’s bowl.
The porridge was thin and watery with clumps of unpalatable mess. Truthfully, it looked like something Emma had regurgitated. Beholding it, Katherine lost her appetite. Forcing a smile, she dipped her spoon into the gruel and stirred it around. Cheerfully, Harriet helped herself to the dish and poured a frugal amount of honey over the top. Although Katherine doubted that honey or milk would make the breakfast edible, she held herself to both.
She lifted a spoon halfway to her mouth before she thought better of it and set it into the bowl again. “While I was at Dr. Gammon’s house last night, he was boasting about his housekeeper, Mrs. Campbell. It seems she cooks him meals and leaves them in the larder.”
Without a cringe, Harriet dug her spoon into the dish and tasted the porridge. She nodded, as if she found it a sumptuous meal. She couldn’t possibly think her cooking divine, could she? Katherine fought not to pull a face.
“It’s good that he has someone to help. He is getting on in years.”
“This house is very large for the two of us. Don’t you think we ought to employ a housekeeper as well? Or perhaps… a cook…”
Harriet’s hair bobbed as she bolted upright in her chair. “What do you mean? Hire a cook? You don’t enjoy my cooking?”
Katherine stumbled over her tongue. “No, it isn’t that. I only thought perhaps you might need some help and…”
From the mulish cast of Harriet’s chin, she wasn’t willing to hear a single word. Katherine’s spirits plummeted. Harriet was her constant friend. She didn’t want to offend her. Even if her cooking was horrid.
“Speaking of Dr. Gammon, I’m worried for him.”
Although suspicion lingered in her maid’s eyes, Harriet resumed eating. “In what way?”
“While I was with him last night, he seemed preoccupied.