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Post by Marie Legard on Apr 9, 2010 15:12:59 GMT -5
The servants showed me into the kitchen at Aramis’s house and it was all I could do not to stare. I had never had such a wonderful kitchen to cook in; it was easily three times the size of the one at home. The kitchen at Malabelle’s was bigger even, but I didn’t get to do more than stand at the threshold and ask for something. The servants there were too eager to please.
I set the duck down on the counter and looked around, trying to get my bearings. As I did, I noticed a few servants here hovering nearby. Alright, I would make use of them if they weren’t going to leave me in peace.
I asked one to put on a pot of water to boil and another to clean the vegetables I’d brought. They both went to their tasks eagerly. Then, I unwrapped the duck and trussed it for roasting.
Familiarity of purpose settled around me and I fell into routine as the meal began to grow.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 9, 2010 20:01:06 GMT -5
Marie had been working for me for a week now, and she was a pleasure to have around. We were developing an easy camaraderie, and the shop seemed brighter because of it.
I knew this was Marie's cooking day, so I stayed just a little later at the shop, giving her more time to prepare whatever it was that she was preparing. I took a hired carriage home, and even as soon as I stepped out, I could faintly smell food cooking. As I walked up to my house, the delicious smells grew stronger. Entering, I called out, "Marie?"
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Post by Marie Legard on Apr 10, 2010 17:42:27 GMT -5
“In the kitchen,” I called out when I heard Aramis. I was checking the bread at the moment and couldn’t leave it just yet.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 10, 2010 23:06:11 GMT -5
Following my nose, I strode into the kitchen to find Marie bending over the oven. "Hello," I said. "How did you find the kitchen?" I asked. "I hope it was suitable."
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Post by Marie Legard on Apr 11, 2010 15:57:46 GMT -5
“Oh, it’s marvelous,” I said, straightening up and smiling at him. “Though I don’t feel like I am doing it justice.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 12, 2010 13:35:39 GMT -5
I chuckled. "My nose tells me otherwise," I said. "Everything smells wonderful. Should I go wash up?"
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Post by Marie Legard on Apr 15, 2010 0:25:59 GMT -5
I smiled at his compliments. “Everything will be ready in a quarter of an hour, so that might be a good idea.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 17, 2010 17:14:33 GMT -5
"All right," I said. "In a quarter of an hour, I shall be seated at the table." With that, I withdrew. Going upstairs, I washed my hands and face and put on a clean shirt for dinner. Heading back down, I sat at the table and waited patiently for Marie.
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Post by Marie Legard on Apr 17, 2010 23:33:06 GMT -5
I finished all the preparations and with the help of his staff brought everything out to the table. I carried the tray with the duck, knowing it was something he was looking forward to.
“Dinner is served,” I said with a grin, setting it down on the table and then motioning for the rest of dishes to be placed.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 18, 2010 21:16:54 GMT -5
I smiled as she entered, then grinned even wider. "Duck!" I exclaimed. "Thank you Marie, I'm so glad you remembered."
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Post by Marie Legard on Apr 21, 2010 13:17:14 GMT -5
“Of course, I couldn’t forget,” I said, smiling and then nodding to the servants as they finished.
I looked at Aramis again. “If you would pour us each a glass, I can serve up.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 21, 2010 20:52:23 GMT -5
"Of course," I said. Reaching for the bottle of wine on the table, I uncorked it, and then poured us two glasses.
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Post by Marie Legard on Apr 22, 2010 1:42:47 GMT -5
As he poured I served us each some of the potatoes, vegetables and then the duck. This was my special recipe and I truly hoped he liked it.
Plates full, I smiled and took my seat.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 23, 2010 23:39:21 GMT -5
Setting down the bottle of wine, I picked up my fork and knife and cut a piece of duck. Dabbing it in gravy, I lifted it to my lips. My eyes widened at the delicious flavor and I made a sound of pleasure. "This is amazing," I said, when I'd swallowed. "Hats off to you, Marie."
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Post by Marie Legard on Apr 24, 2010 1:27:38 GMT -5
“Thank you,” I said, blushing a little even as I smiled. “The trick is to brine the duck beforehand. Otherwise it gets too dry.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 24, 2010 16:30:37 GMT -5
"Mmm," I said, nodding. I picked up a forkful of potatoes and tasted them. "What's your secret for the potatoes?" I asked, when I'd swallowed. "They are so melty, like butter."
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Post by Marie Legard on Apr 26, 2010 0:37:44 GMT -5
“It’s a mix of sheep and pig fat. It is the best combination I’ve found when you want to roast them like this,” I told him after I’d had a bite of duck.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 28, 2010 20:50:51 GMT -5
"It's marvelous," I said. "I sometimes forget how good and hearty d'Angeline food can be, what with spending so much time around foreign goods."
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Post by Marie Legard on Apr 29, 2010 1:12:47 GMT -5
I smiled at him, incredibly pleased that he liked my cooking. “I am so happy you like it,” I told him. “I really enjoyed cooking in your kitchen.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on Apr 29, 2010 16:17:18 GMT -5
"And I enjoyed having you cook in my kitchen," I said, pointing to my plate, which was nearly a third empty. "Maybe I should hire you to work here, too."
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Post by Marie Legard on May 2, 2010 1:25:09 GMT -5
I grinned and finished the bite of duck I had just taken. “Thank you, but I think I am not the right temperament to serve long term in one of your family’s houses,” I replied, still smiling.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on May 2, 2010 14:43:34 GMT -5
I chuckled. "Ahh, so you keep your ears open, too," I said, shaking my head in mirth. "What have you heard them say about me?"
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Post by Marie Legard on May 3, 2010 10:18:02 GMT -5
"Nothing but good, I assure you," I said. "I have just seen the way the servants in my brother's fiance's ome and now in your home and know that I am not of the right temperment."
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on May 3, 2010 13:55:50 GMT -5
I laughed. My cousin Malabelle was certainly not a woman to be trifled with, especially not when it came to her pleasure. "Well then, I promise not to hire you to work here," I said, taking another bite and chewing thoughtfully. "Though you are welcome to come back and cook anytime."
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Post by Marie Legard on May 5, 2010 15:20:30 GMT -5
“That I may just take you up on,” I said with a smile. “I didn’t realize just how much I had missed it.”
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on May 5, 2010 22:41:47 GMT -5
"Well, as I said, you're always welcome here," I said. I took another bite and swallowed. "How do you find your employment?" I asked.
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Post by Marie Legard on May 5, 2010 22:44:08 GMT -5
“Oh, I find it wonderful,” I said, smiling at him. “How do you find me as an employee?” I would not have asked him something so boldly if he had not asked me first.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on May 5, 2010 22:53:27 GMT -5
"One of the best I've ever hired," I said. "I think you will spoil me for anyone else."
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Post by Marie Legard on May 6, 2010 16:02:04 GMT -5
I blushed deeply, looking down at my plate for a moment.
“I am very pleased to hear that,” I said once I’d regained my composure. I was not used to such compliments.
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Aramis Shahrizai
Aristocrat
Lord of House Shahrizai
Son of Bryant and Felice Shahrizai
Posts: 936
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Post by Aramis Shahrizai on May 8, 2010 20:08:15 GMT -5
She blushed in that way that I found so endearing. "I am glad you are pleased," I said. "I hope you will keep up the good work."
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