[b][u]Two Weeks Later at Wakehurst..... [/u][/b]



[b]"Matilda!! I said scatter more flour.. Not drown us all in a snow storm!!"[/b]

"I did just scatter the flour Mary... It was Henry laughing that made it fly all over the room.."

Matilda; in dire need of distraction from a certain Major, had decided that she wanted to learn to cook. Naturally, Mary had been largely unsure of how to start to teach her new pupil. The cross stitch had gone terribly, and in heartfelt honesty, the young Lady was incredibly clumsy. Of course she was kind and endearing, but she was a disaster area when it came down to the basics of life. 

[b]"Henry, if you continue to laugh at your sister, I'm going to ask you to leave the kitchen."[/b] The finger wagged as the matronly housekeeper continued, [b]"In my wildest dreams did I never imagine having to scold you both fully grown."[/b]

The brother shrugged in a nonchalant manner, [b]"Oh come on Mary, I promise not to laugh. I want to see Tilly make a pie. You shan't know I'm here.."[/b]

Tilly, who had scooped up the rolling pin by this point, waved it at her brother - but was promptly glared at by Mary and instead, she squashed her ball of pastry and started to roll it out. 

Flour dotted her features, and she was far from the formal turnout expected at a review. The curls were down, and held back by a simple pale silver headband, and a sage green dress with long sleeves adorned her petite frame. The only small detail, was a flourish of French lace around the squared neckline. The ankle had been re-strapped by the Dr, and she was feeling much more chipper. 

Two weeks had come to pass since that evening, and Tilly had not seen hide nor hair of Major Bradford, and for that she was grateful. The ankle had proven to be the perfect excuse to avoid all trips into town, so for the most part, she'd blocked him from her thoughts..sort of. 

[b]"That's it Tilly, just a little thinner and we'll be able to pot it into our dish.." [/b] 

[i]"Well, that bit there is rather fat.. You should try and get a more even surface.." [/i] Henry's words trailed off under the weight of two very stern scowls, and he held his hands up, [i]"Just an observation of course, I know nothing of pastry.." [/i] 

It was at that moment, that George bustled through. His face etched with amusement at the conversation he'd overheard. [b] "Right, I'm going to be bringing the Colonol through in just a moment. John is polishing the hallway, so we must use the back entrance. Could I emplore you all to atleast feign decorum until we are out of earshot!"[/b] 

The three nodded, but not before Matilda shot Henry a smug smirk. Which he promptly responded to by flicking even more flour in her direction. Mary simply shook her head in exasperation.

[b]"For the love of God you two!!!! Concentrate Matilda Grace. We need this pie for supper.."[/b]