Elena Valdez was an award-winning chef and a successful food entrepreneur.
She had everything; a loving family, good friends and a food empire.
Her life was perfect.
Until an untimely death landed her not in the gates of heaven but into the body of...
These cold cut sandwiches are amazing! Nothing like the dried up bland ones I ate at a fair one time.
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Every chicken strand was tender and juicy and the milky creamy filling with the sharp onion mix just made this cold cut sandwich even more addicting.
The soup was also great. Full of meaty goodness and the cute small dough balls were filled with minced pork that surprised young Charles when he ate it.
Pairing these with a cold glass of iced tea as the duchess called it; It was the most luxurious lunch we have ever eaten as servants to the duchess.
"Awwww. I want more." Charles gave a morose look as he looked at the small piece of sandwich he had leftover as he finished his soup before finally eating the last piece and washing it down with iced tea.
" Her Grace's culinary skills are really good. I never imagined a lady of quality who would dirty her hands just to feed us." Lisa admitted as she savored her last bite of the sandwich. " Oh, this could be addicting...So delicious."
"She is a kind soul. A rare find amongst the numerous ladies." I poured the last batch of iced tea for all of us. "Milady promised us that she has something in store for us at supper meal so Lisa. Please inform the new chef to make her Grace's supper meal extra special."
"Of course. But why continue eating the meal at the main house when the Duchess can obviously make her own meals?" the naivety of her answer was what I was expecting.
So I explained to them all.
That our Duchess cooks mainly because she wants to and because she loves to experiment with different dishes. But most of all; she is aware of her place so she does not want anyone else to know about what she is doing.
Plus although she cooks, she has no intention of taking the chef's place in this estate. Hence she still asks for meals to be delivered to her.
While we get to taste her delicious dishes as compensation for keeping our mouths tightly shut about what goes on in the bridal house.
By the time, I was done with my explanation; all of them promised to keep their mouths shut on their duchess's unique pastime.
"If our supper meals will be as good as these sandwiches and soup. I would keep our duchess's cooking a secret till I grow old." Beatrice promised as we went back to our work while Charles and Lisa went to the kitchens to start washing the dishes the duchess must have left.
A bell rang in the duchess's room and I went up to her bedroom where she asked me to draw a bath for her because she said that she smells like meat.
In my opinion, she smells of freshly chopped herbs and oranges but I did as she asked me to and even added a few drops of rose oil.
"Linda please call the new help to the drawing-room after helping me. I want to welcome them." Her gentle voice was still so nice to hear as she inspected me with gentle teal eyes. " Your complexion looks better now that you do not have to do everything yourself."
I never imagined that Lady Alaina would notice my fatigue but she did.
"Thank you for your concern Milady." I blushed slightly as I left her to call everyone to the drawing-room.
The duchess was punctual and was already seated at the drawing-room by the time I managed to gather everyone and we marched to the room which looks much more airy and spacious now that the damaged furniture was replaced with new ones and there are paintings and decors placed in every corner of the newly washed carpeted floor.
"It has come to my attention that I have forgotten my duties as a lady. Welcome to the bridal house Lisa, Beatrice, and Charles. I hope that you find your accommodations acceptable?"
Her warm words soon had my fellow maids melt in how she regarded them with respect and I think the way Charles was blushing as the duchess approached him to pat his scruffy blonde head was the final strike. My lady has captured all of their hearts in one simple gesture of welcome.
Simply astounding.
When she asked for some tea and biscuits to be sent here because she has a meeting with Milford soon. We all took that as a cue to leave.
The moment we were far away from the room. Beatrice and Lisa glared at each other and started arguing about who will serve the tea and biscuits.
"You already saw her Grace when she offered us the sandwiches. Let me do it!"
"But I have always served in the kitchens so I know my way around faster. I should serve the tea with Linda."
Charles took that distraction to run away since he had a few errands to run for the duchess.
"How about you two come with me and I will teach you where to get the tray set and the sweets. You two can serve her Grace since I have to rush to the bakery to buy more sweets and cakes for tea tomorrow. Is this acceptable?"
My suggestion was met with a resounding "yes" hence I soon sent them off to the duchess and prepare myself to go out.
The duchess told me to get a few foreign spices used by the Exotic Countries to the East in addition to purchasing more sweets and pastries for tea.
As I hailed a carriage to take me to the capital, I was excited at the prospect of a new dish that could be done by using these spices.
