The house was bursting with movement when they got to Westonhigh. The servants were busy preparing for the evening.
Ann escorted the twins to their rooms and gave orders to a maid to prepare their bath and dresses.
After the twins got dressed, she did a quick work with their hair, pining it up into simple styles that were perfect for the evenings atmosphere, before shooing them downstairs.
Then she went to her room and changed into a more comfortable dress after which she went to the kitchen to help Mrs cook.
Although it was not a part of her job, Ann enjoyed helping in the kitchen.
This was because it was very convenient and the maid were the only other people she could talk with when she was not in the drawing room.
And for an added bonus, the maids were always up to date with the latest news and gossips, and although she had little use for the latter, she believed it to be important to know what went on around her.
She entered the kitchen and immediately saw Lady Daphne sitting with a plate of newly baked biscuits on the table and a jar of warm milk on her hand.
" Miss Ann! " Daphne grinned while pouring some milk in a cup.
" Good evening my Lady " Ann greeted when she got to the table.
" Wonderful evening Mrs cook " she added turning to Mrs cook.
" I must say, that is quite a lot of milk for me " Daphne said frowning a the jar.
" Could you please pour some for Miss Ann, I am convinced she must be quite tired out today " she added smiling at Mrs cook.
" Oh, thank you " Ann said.
" I will see to bringing more biscuits " she added excusing herself before walking to the oven.
" You should have just called for a maid to bring you some instead of tiring yourself by coming to this stuffy kitchen" Mrs cook continued.
" I was walking pass and just suddenly had a craving for one of your hot tasty biscuits, and I did not want to be a bother as everyone seemed busy " Daphne replied.
" We are busy for you my dear, you will never be a bother to us " Mrs cook cooed.
" And moreover I missed you so much, I had to see you immediately " Daphne grinned.
Ann collected some biscuits from the oven, as she listened to Daphne and Mrs cook laugh about something. It was funny how Ann had a knack for meeting the Arnold siblings in the kitchen.
Ann was not yet sure what she was envious of, she just wished she was born in a happier and brighter family.
Maybe it was how Daphne glowed whenever she entered a place, she was always smiling, to be precise, the Arnold siblings were always laughing or bickering about something or another. And if Ann was ever going to have a family she wished they would be even half as happy as them.
" There is some milk left in the jar " Mrs cook said to Ann.
" Will you like some more biscuits? " Ann asked.
" Of course, thank you" Daphne said pushing a full biscuit in her mouth.
" Be careful not to choke on it " Ann said dropping the tray on the table.
" Here, have some milk " Mrs cook said handing Daphne the cup.
" Thank you" Daphne replied before taking a little sip.
" I happen to have a bigger appetite for food these days" Daphne explained.
"I believe it should be good for the child" Ann said.
" I hope so " Daphne shrugged chewing on a mouth full of biscuits.
"Where is my wife? " A deep voice growled at the door, as a kitchen maid pointed in their direction.
" I am right here darling" Daphne replied.
" You said you were going to greet your mother " a gentleman whom Ann suspected to be Lord Mayfair said while walking to their table.
" Well I suddenly had a craving for Mrs Cook's delicious biscuits, and just took the opportunity to greet her " Daphne answered.
" Mrs Cook, I almost did not recognize you, how do you manage to look even more beautiful and younger everytime we meet" he grinned after giving Mrs Cook's hand a quick peck.
" Oh you and your constant flattery" Mrs Cook laughed.
" I do mean every single comments though" he replied.
" Good evening your grace" Ann greeted.
" Good evening Miss..." He asked
" Miss Ann Liverbert at your service your grace" Ann answered with a slight bow.
" Ah right! Miss Ann, this is my husband Lord Mayfair, Darling, this is Miss Ann Liverbert my mother's new companion " Daphne said.
" It is nice to meet you Miss Ann" Lord Mayfair said.
" My pleasure your grace" Ann replied.
" I believe we have had quite enough with the introductions" Richard said entering the room.
" Your grace " Ann said bowing.
" Miss Ann,I believe my mother has required your attention for quite a while at the drawing room" Richard said looking at Ann.
" I will be sure to join her soon, once I am done with warming the milk " Ann replied.
" As you wish " Richard replied with a drawl.
" Will you like to join me?" Daphne asked.
" Of course, although I am beginning to find your appetite a bit unhealthy" Lord Mayfair replied collecting the biscuits from her hand.
" What are you doing?" Daphne asked with a frown.
" Saving your body from you" her husband said taking her cup of milk too.
" I believe I should be the one saying such" Daphne sniffed.
" Don't tell me you would cry over some biscuit" Lord Mayfair said.
" Well, I won't if you give back my biscuits" she shrugged.
"Lord save us from pregnant females" Lord Mayfair drawled handing her one of Ann's biscuits.
" Wait, before eating that" he said, holding her hand as he fed her the whole cup of milk at once.
" Oh God..." Daphne groaned as she gulped the drink.
" Why the hell did you do that?" Daphne growled once he had removed the cup from her mouth.
" Darling I can bet you have hardly taken a sip since you started eating" he replied with a sigh.
" Stay away from my food" Daphne warned.
" I promise to do so once you start taking more liquids" he replied wiping some leftover milk from her mouth.
" Who else feel nauseated?" Richard said picking the last biscuits from Ann's tray.
" That was mine" Ann said realizing she had eaten only a piece.
" Calm down tigress, you can have this one" Richard said with a grinned as he dropped two pieces of the biscuits.
" You may as well eat it all, I will just get more" Ann replied.
" As you wish" Richard said pulling the tray closer to himself.
" I will take this too" he added taking a sip from her cup of milk.
" I should check if the milk is warm enough" Mrs Cook said walking to the big pot of milk.
" I do not recall been informed that there will be a tea party at the kitchen" Mrs Arnold boomed as she walked into the kitchen.