The Heir of the Castle (Harlequin Romance)

The Heir of the Castle (Harlequin Romance) by Scarlet Wilson Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: The Heir of the Castle (Harlequin Romance) by Scarlet Wilson Read Free Book Online
Authors: Scarlet Wilson
kitchen used in TV shows, or period dramas.
    She loved it. She absolutely loved it.
    There was a navy and white striped apron hanging on a hook at the side and she picked it up and put it over her head. ‘Okay, if you have help with the breakfasts that should be fine. I’m happy to help with the baking. What kind of thing would you like?’ She bent down and started opening cupboards looking for cake tins and mixing bowls. ‘I can do carrot cake, fruit loafs, lemon drizzle, cupcakes, tray bakes or sponges.’
    She straightened up. Marion was looking at her in horror. ‘You can’t possibly help with the baking. You’re a guest.’ She looked as if she was about to keel over and faint.
    Laurie smiled and shook her head. ‘And you’re a member of staff that has had their workload increase tenfold overnight.’ She sighed. ‘Let me help you, Marion. Baking is about the only skill I have to offer.’ She shrugged. ‘To be honest I’m not that enamoured by some of my potential relatives and I’d prefer to stay out of the way in the meantime.’ She glanced out of the kitchen window and across to the beautiful rose gardens. ‘I’d much prefer to be in here.’
    Marion frowned. The wrinkles in her forehead like deeply dug troughs. It seemed to be the natural position her face returned to after every interaction. ‘You really want to help?’
    Laurie nodded. ‘I really want to help.’ Just being in the kitchen helped. She could already feel some of the tension starting to leave her body, particularly around her neck and shoulders. The thought of staying in the kitchen and not having to participate in small talk with the crazy relatives was like a weight off her back.
    The thought of not being under the watchful glare of Callan McGregor was also playing around the back of her mind. Why did he bother her? Why was he floating around in her thoughts? And more importantly, why had he hovered around the edges of her dreams last night?
    Marion thudded a stained and battered recipe book onto the worktop. ‘Can you follow a recipe?’
    Laurie smiled. ‘Of course I can.’
    And that was it.
    Acceptance. Acceptance into the murky depths of the castle kitchens.
    Marion bustled around her. ‘You’ll find all your ingredients in here...’ she opened the door to a huge walk-in pantry ‘...all your fresh goods in here...’ another door to a chilled walk-in larder ‘...and all the equipment you’ll need here.’ She flung open a door to every baker’s dream—a full array of scales, mixing bowls and every baking implement known to man.
    Marion folded her arms. ‘We’ve just had a delivery of strawberries. How do you feel about making a fresh cream and strawberry sponge?’
    ‘Sounds good.’ Her mouth was watering already.
    ‘And an iced gingerbread and some flapjacks too?’ The frown was on its way back.
    Laurie nodded. ‘No problem, Marion. Leave it with me.’
    Marion gave her a little nod and bustled off to the other side of the kitchen where the girl from the village had arrived and was hanging up her coat.
    Laurie started to gather all the things she would need. Peace perfect peace. Just what she wanted.
    * * *
    Callan pushed open the door to the kitchen and immediately started to choke, the thick white smoke clawing and catching at the back of his throat.
    But it wasn’t smoke, and the immediate burst of pure adrenaline started to fade. In amongst the white cloud around him, all he could hear was raucous laughter.
    And what was more he recognised that laughter. He just hadn’t heard it in a while.
    Marion’s laugh seemed to come from the very bottom of her feet and reach all the way up her tiny frame to the top of her head. It was a deep, hearty laugh that should come from someone double her size. And he loved it.
    Callan waved his hands in front of his face, trying to clear the white, smoky haze.
    ‘Marion? Are you all right in there?’
    There was another sound, another laugh. This one verging on hysteria.

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