Page 41 of Ruined By the Ruthless Highlander
Her gaze fell on the pantry, and her eyes lit up at the disarray of it.
This will do.
Back in London, she had been familiar with the running of the kitchen. She often spent her time there out of boredom, and even though she wasn’t any good at cooking, she mostly enjoyed the smell of fresh bread and woodsmoke.
She walked straight into the pantry, gesturing for two of the kitchen maids to join her.
“This pantry is not as it should be,” she declared with a pleasant expression. “And we shall set it right.”
The two maids stared at each other and then at her, speechless for a moment before the younger one spoke.
“Me L-Lady…” she stammered. “I… I daenae think the head cook would fancy that.”
Ah, the formidable Mrs. MacBride…
Marian had briefly considered her in her plan. Since their unpleasant first interaction, she had been careful around the woman. But as an English lady, now that she was here, she was not going to shrink back.
It seems I shall have to win her over.
She nodded at the young maids before turning to take a closer look at the pantry.
“Perhaps we should start with these,” she suggested, pointing at the pile of fresh vegetables near the bottom shelves. “Greens should be stored in the open, so they don’t go bad quickly.”
The maids stared at her without moving, their faces a mask of worry and fear.
“Very well, then,” Marian said, walking toward the shelf. “I shall move them myself and inform the Laird…”
A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as they rushed forward, picking up the vegetables and arranging them on a new shelf she picked out.
“What’s happenin’ in me kitchen?” a voice cut through the room like a blade.
Marian’s heart thumped. She went still for a second before turning around, smiling at the large, intimidating woman as widely as she could.
“Good morning, Mrs. MacBride,” she greeted, even as the woman’s hard gaze swept over her from head to toe.
Mrs. MacBride did not return her greeting. “Ye’re nae meant to be here,” she grunted.
Marian swallowed. “Very well,” she said, holding her gaze. “But I have decided to spend my morning here today. After the breakfast I had, I thought it wise to acquaint myself with the kitchen.”
Mrs. MacBride scoffed.
Marian had half expected her to be angered by her remark. Instead, Mrs. MacBride smirked, sweeping her gaze over the pantry.
“And who gave ye leave to meddle in it?” she asked, her voice dropping ever so slightly.
“No one. I saw a need and chose to address it.”
Mrs. MacBride walked past her, picking up the vegetables that had just been arranged and dropping them on the floor. “This kitchen was run just fine before ye stepped into it, me Lady.”
Marian stepped toward her. “I do not doubt that,” she replied, gesturing toward the vegetables that were now scattered at her feet. “But these will spoil faster where they were previously kept. And when they do, your stores will suffer for it.”
Mrs. MacBride’s eyebrows rose slightly. “And what does an English lady ken about stores?” She hesitated for a moment, looking Marian over again. “I doubt ye’ve ever been in one.”
Marian pulled off her gloves and bent down to gather some of the vegetables. “I know a great deal, Mrs. MacBride,” she said, looking up at the frowning woman. She handed the vegetables over to the young kitchen maids. “And you have a great deal to manage here.”
She straightened up, dusting her hands just as Lilly walked in. She held the cook’s gaze and spoke again, her tone even. “Allow me to be of use.”
Mrs. MacBride did not say anything in response. She shook her head, walking out of the pantry after giving Marian one last warning glare.
