Did we still require an introduction?
"Ma'am." she bowed. Still covered by that shawl.
"I know you both didn't get a proper introduction, so— this is my second son, Eugene Houston."
She didn't even consider looking at my face, it was rather directed elsewhere than at me.
"Nice to meet you."
"And Eugene," she nudged me when she saw how I looked at her. "This is Mrs Williams, the one you Mistook for a man."
Did she have to call that out?
I spotted Miss Curtis on the other side of the hall talking with the Auburn-haired, scrawny male servant, the one from last night. John Bode. They were chuckling.
"And it is also nice to meet you, Mrs Williams."
"Let's go, mother."
I dragged her to the breakfast table ignoring the weird lady.
Something just didn't sit right with my spirit about her. She was too… too obscure. I couldn't even describe it. I know it has just been hours since we met, but still, first impressions mattered. I would wait for the right time to ask Mrs Houston why on earth she employed her. We never employed female Housekeepers.
"Good morning Aunt." I kissed her cheeks.
She was already on the table waiting to dive into food.
"Morning my darling."
We took our seats on the table and soon the maids came to set up the plates. There was porridge, eggs, fish, and bacon.
"A sumptuous meal I see, it smells nice," I commented. "Who amongst you is the cook?."
I asked the maids, who were miss church, Miss Curtis, and the other pale and timid girl, I didn't even know her name.
They all looked at themselves as if it was some kind of forbidden thing to say.
"It is I."
A voice came. It had just been a few hours but I think I could remember that voice anywhere from now on. The unfeeling and monotonous voice, cold and hard.
She came towards the table to bow slightly.
"It is I mr Houston, are you not satisfied with the meal?"
Her shawl had been moved back a little and I could get a peak of her face. And I tell you, the little I saw was strikingly beautiful. The sparkling and deep black eyes. Though her cold countenance spoiled the whole exposition.
"No. I can't possibly judge when I haven't tasted it yet."
Everyone was watching me as I picked the cutlery. I went for the fish first because I had a preference for it. I cut and took it in, it barely settled in my mouth when the appetizing fare dawned on me.
"How is it?." Mrs Houston asked in expectancy.
It was good because judging from the fact that we were served the best kind of meals from top chefs at the university I would say, hers didn't backslide in its culinary appeal.
"It's good, fair enough."
I wasn't sure but I heard a kind of breath of relief by my side where she stood.
Aunt Agatha and mother smiled. "I told you."
"Yes, you did."
"And the porridge?"
Her voice came with impatience.
I went on to taste that one too. "Fair enough, Mrs Williams, it's delectable."
The maids that were staring all bowed and dispersed. Miss Curtis was the last to leave and she gave off a cold look at the mystery lady.
"Have a nice meal, sir."
The cold chef seeing I was satisfied with her meals, went on to turn about to leave but Mother called her back.
"Come and join us, Mrs Williams."
She stopped to turn. "No, I'd rather not madame, I would eat in my room."
"No, I insist you join us, please," she offered one of the seats. "Sit and eat with us."
It was hard for her. I sensed it. She didn't want to be here neither did she want to eat with us in such proximity. I was made to wonder if she was used to eating with them beforehand and was now refusing because of me. I had a feeling she didn't like me. Totally. Was I concerned? Not at all. Even though Mother and Aunt came across to really like her to the extent of sharing the table with her.
Nonetheless, she took the seat opposite me, face to face.
I ignored her and went on with my meal.
Mother called in Miss Curtis whom I was just noticing was still at the door giving off a hostile look at us, no not at us. I traced her line of vision and it landed on the steward.
Was there some kind of feud between the two? They do not seem to be fond of each other.
She was surprised that Madame detected her concealing behind the door. She stood upright and braced herself walking back in.
"Help serve Mrs. Wil—-"
"No, that won't be necessary I can do that myself," she interjected even before the said lady came near, and went ahead to dish her food herself.
Miss Curtis bit back her lips and sauntered out.
"So Mrs Williams," I began. "where are you from?"
I wasn't dying to know anything about her, it was just what we called social etiquette. To ease the atmosphere that seemed uncomfortable for her and was making me too. She was in my front and I couldn't bear to eat with such a person in my face.
"Melton." was her frigid reply.
I nodded and went on to eat. She never for once looked at me and was bent to her food.
I was about to ask another question when a servant opened the door to reveal our awaited guest.
"Dennis!"