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This table was laid with ornate silver, china, a crystal vase holding a single, perfect peach rose and it also held my breakfast which appeared to be French toast dusted with powdered sugar and covered in sliced strawberries, so out of theof water with actual ice

My sto in the roo, apron-dressed woht sreeted and looked down at the food “This looks –”

“If it pleases your grace,” she interrupted ive me your instructions and I’ll take my leave”

At her words, my step faltered and I stopped

Then I moved slowly to the table, pulled out a chair and seatedsoftly, “Yes, please, that sounds perfect”

She approached the table but didn’t get too close, either because she couldn’t stand being in the saht I had the power to strike out and sink fangs into her

I poured coffee froan

“The last tirace, you ,” she started

Oh shit

“This time,” she went on, “ill endeavor tostandards I just require that you relate those standards tothe That way, I won’t find irls in fits of tears or need to talk others out of leaving their employment on the spot”

I stared up at her

Holy crap! What on earth did the other Cora do? Jeez!

“Um…” What could I say? “I was…” Shit! “Uh, out of sorts last time I was here In fact, I wasn’t…” Drat! “Entirely myself It seems that I caused some upset”

“Indeed!” she replied tartly

“Well…” I started, pulled in a deep breath and leaned slightly toward her

Instantly, her upper body reared back

Yep, she thought I could strike out with s

Yikes

I decided to sally forth and finished, “I’iveable but I want you to know, and please tell your girls, that I am truly, very sorry”

She blinked

Then she rallied and snapped, “Fine Now, do you have any specific instruction?”

“Uain in a few days? I’d like to get race, no,” she answered shortly “As I explained, I would like to know exactly what you require before you require it”

My

“Okay, well, um, I don’t like celery,” I told her

“Noted,” she clipped and then glared at me as she waited for ardenia scent”

Her brows shot to her hairline “That is, as you know, your grace, your specifically requested scent You did, as you know, your grace, make rather a fuss about it last time”

Uh-oh

“It’s lovely I mean, I think it’s beautiful Utterly perfect,” I lied “But Tor doesn’t like it so, perhaps –”

“Noted,” she bit off curtly