White Roses a.b

chapter 2

Mary Ann checked that the Marchioness wasn't around the corner before ushering Ash into the bedroom and shutting the door.

The other maid, Abigail, was there already, dressed identical to Mary Ann in a demure black dress and white apron, attempting to swat a rocking-horsefly out of the open window with a broom. Every time she missed, it would nicker and whip its mane to either side, before flying back up towards the ceiling. ''These pests will be the death of me!'' Abigail growled to Mary Ann, swiping the sweat from her brow. Then, realizing that Ashley was there too, she dropped into a lopsided curtsy.

Ashley stiffened. ''Abigail—!''

''Why, you obnoxious little pony!'' Abigail screeched, swinging her broom.

Cringing, Mary Ann dragged Ashley into the dressing room and shut the door. Water had already been drawn in a pitcher on the washing stand. ''There isn't time for a bath, but let's not tell your mother that,'' she said, fiddling with the back of Ashley's muslin dress while Ash dipped a washcloth into the pitcher. She furiously scrubbed the flour from her face. How had she managed to get it behind her ears?

''I thought you were going into town today,'' she said, letting Mary Ann peel off her dress and chemise.

''I did, but it was fabulously dull. All anyone wanted to talk about was the ball, as if the King doesn't have a party every other day.'' Taking the washcloth, Mary Ann scrubbed Ashley's arms until her flesh was pink, then spritzed her with rose water to cover up the lingering aroma of pastry dough and oven fires. ''There was a lot of talk about a new court joker who will be making his debut tonight. Jack was bragging about how he's going to steal his hat and smash the bells as a sort of initiation.''

''That seems very childish.''

''I agree. Jack is such a knave.'' Mary Ann helped Ashley into a new chemise, before pushing her down on to a stool and running a brush through her dark hair. ''I did hear one bit of interesting news though. The cobbler is retiring and will be leaving his storefront empty by the end of this month.'' With a twist, a dish full of pins, and a touch of beeswax, a lovely chignon rested at the nape of Ashley's neck, and her face was haloed by a cluster of jovial curls.

''The cobbler? On Main Street?''

''The very one.'' Mary Ann spun Ash around, her voice dropping to a whisper. 'When I heard it, I immediately thought what a fine location it would be. For us.''

Ash's eyes widened. ''Sweet hearts, you're right. Right next to that toy shop—''

''And just down the hill from that quaint white chapel. Think of all the wedding cakes you'd be making.''

''Oh! We could do a series of different-flavored crumbles for our grand opening, in honor of the shoemaker. We'll start with the classics – blueberry crumble, peach crumble – but then, imagine the possibilities. A lavender-nectarine crumble one day, and the next, a banana-butterscotch crumble, topped with biscuit crumble and—''

''Stop it!'' Mary Ann laughed. ''I haven't had supper yet.''

''We should go look at it, don't you think? Before word gets out?''

''I thought so too. Maybe tomorrow. But your mother . . .''

''I'll tell her we're going shopping for new ribbons. She won't mind.'' Ash swayed on the balls of her feet. ''By the time she finds out about the bakery, we'll be able to show her what a tremendous business opportunity it is and even she won't be able to deny it.''

Mary Ann's smile turned tight. ''I don't think it's the business opportunity she's bound to disapprove of.''

Ash flitted away her concern, although she knew Mary Ann was right. Her mother would never approve of her only daughter, the heir to Rock Turtle Cove, going into the men's world of business, especially with a humble servant like Mary Ann as her partner. Besides, baking was a job fit for servants, her mother would say. And she would loathe the idea that Ash planned on using her own marriage dowry in order to open the business herself.