"We will be careful," Millie promised.
*
Hannish lightly knocked before he opened the door, and found his wife sitting at her dressing table, brushing her long, dark hair. She was once the most beautiful woman he had ever seen; only now her glare was harsh and very unflattering.
"Hannish, can you not wait until tonight?"
He drew back for a second, and then walked to the bed and set her bag down. He started to walk back out, paused at the door and turned to face her. "I have sent Millie to her rest. Another will come along shortly to help you dress for dinner."
"Oh." She went right back to brushing her hair and didn't bother to watch him leave. As soon as he closed the door, she got up, walked to the wall near her bed and rang her bell again.
*
A half hour later, a frazzled Sarah made it back to the kitchen, set the silver tea service on the counter and slumped against the wall. "The Duchess wishes more tea and two of Jessie's cookies."
Halen spun around to stare at her counterpart. "First, she says you cannot cook, and now she wants two of your cookies?"
"'Tis true," Jessie said. "One moment, she is as meek as a lamb, and the next, the devil has her by the throat. Fortunately, I anticipated her and made her favorite cookies yesterday." Jessie took the old cup and saucer off the tray, set them in the sink and got a new set out of the cupboard. She made certain they were spotless before she set them on the tray. "Mostly, we just hid from her."
"So that is why the kitchen has no Scots in it this afternoon," said Halen.
"Aye, and there are many places to hide here." Jessie put three cookies on a plate and placed it beside the cup and saucer, arranging it just so. "She always says two, but she means three. She claims to watch her figure, you see. Pretend you dinna notice."
Sarah sighed. "How long until the 'meek as a lamb' part comes about? I am exhausted already."
"I have seen it gone two days straight," Jessie answered. "Mind you, dinna get too close to her if she turns extra mean. Excuse yourself and get out the door as best you can." Jessie finished pouring tea into the small pot and then closed the lid. "Oh, and remember to call her 'My Lady.' She becomes enraged when we forget."
Sarah nodded, picked up the tray and begrudgingly headed back upstairs.
*
Hannish sat in a chair in the parlor for the better part of an hour, and was at a loss as to what to do. He hoped Olivia was napping, but when Sarah came, she said his wife was wide-awake and coming down. He noticed how quickly Sarah left and then stood up as soon as he saw Olivia coming down the stairs.