Silence No More

34. Have Some Tea and Blackma... um, Biscuits

Humming a melody, I strolled down the gravel path wrapped in a warm coat against the autumn chill. Every now and again, I stopped to sniff the autumn flowers that bordered the path. The amusing way the dozen or so guards behind me, led by Karim, had to stop and start every time I did had nothing whatsoever to do with my leisurely pace.

Despite my dawdling, though, I eventually reached my goal. The cosy little cabin looked just like I remembered, including the elderly man attending to his garden at the front.

"Hello there, Mr Fernsby!" I called out. "How are you on this delightfully depressing English morning?"

A smile split the man's wrinkled old face. "Just fine, M'lady. You must be the Young Master's wife, right? May I ask to what I owe this honour?"

"Oh..." I waved my hand. "I just came by to chat a little."

"Really?" He beamed. "So kind of you, M'lady. I see the Young Master chose right."

I grinned. I liked this old man. So nice and trusting.

"I come bearing gifts." Lifting a bag in my arms, I showed him the contents. A package of tea leaves and a box full of biscuits.

"Oh, Your Ladyship, you shouldn't have!"

"I didn't," I told him demurely. "Mr Ambrose did. He wanted to send you something special for old time's sake. He's so thoughtful, isn't he?"

The old man's eyes lit up, and I could have sworn I saw a hint of tears.

What a disgrace, Lilly! Lying to an old man? Don't you have any shame?

Well, yes. I think I left it at home on the bedside table.

Smiling, I gestured at the box full of biscuits. If you could trick a little child with sweets, surely the same would work for an old gentleman as well? "So, how about it? Fancy taking a look at what I've brought?"

"As long as you're not Greek and there is no wooden horse in there, M'lady."

"Ha! No, I am one hundred percent British, as are my biscuits."

With a hum and a nod, the old butler finished watering his current patch of flowers, then set down the watering can and went behind the house. Soon, he re-emerged, swaying under the weight of a table and several folding chairs.

"Oh God, let me help you with that!" Rushing forward, I grabbed one of the chairs and, at my gesture, Karim quickly followed suit, relieving the grey-haired gentleman of his remaining burden.

"Much appreciated M'lady," Fernsby huffed, rubbing his back. "I forget I'm not as spry as I used to be."

"No problem," I told him while decorating the table with china courtesy of my minio—ehem, loyal bodyguards. "Biscuit?"

"Don't mind if I do." Rubbing his hands, the old gentleman settled into his chair. "It's been a while since I've had time to just sit down and enjoy some tea and biscuits in beautiful company."

With a demure smile, I inclined my head. "Why, thank you for the compliment. I'm sure Karim appreciates it."

Ignoring the sputtering from the bodyguard behind me, I poured hot water onto the tea leaves and sniffed the fragrant fumes that rose into the air. In companionable silence, we sat and participated in the time-honoured English ritual of waiting till the tea was ready.

Finally, it was time.

"Aaah..." With a sigh, the old man took a sip of his tea and sank back into his chair. "That hits the spot. Thank you, M'lady. And please remember to thank young master Rikkard for me, too. It warms an old man's heart to know that he's still just as considerate as the kind child he used to be."