My Lady Chef novel Chapter 6

Ely's POV:

The moment I came to the front of the mansion, the servants were dumbstruck as I ordered them to open the doors for me.

"You there! Get me Mrs. Yates who manages the maids. Hurry!" I pointed at one manservant who hastened to obey.

The foyer when lit up like this was beautiful. The wooden floor was well polished and the staircase banisters were shiny and cleaned.

An impressive mansion indeed.

"Your Grace." a haughty female voice made me turn slowly as the head maid who was dressed in a dark blue dress and apron approached me with two maids beside her. "How may I help you this morning? Have you come to question my treatment of an incompetent nobody?"

Her snide remarks made the other maids struggle to contain their smiles.

I studied Mrs. Yates and realized that she was the same maid who helped prepare me for my wedding night. The way she was treating me before and now was so different.

She seems to be a calculating bitch. Someone who becomes respectful when in the face of someone with power but has no qualms about acting high and mighty when faced with someone powerless or lower than her.

The old Alaina would have cried and cowered and run far away as much as possible.

Too bad I am different.

"Yes. In fact...let me return the favor you did in taking care of my maid." I raised my hand and slapped her back, the sharp smack was so loud that every servant froze and stared at us.

From the shocked look on her face as she stumbled back. My action was not something she expected.

"Mrs. Yates...Are you the Duchess or is it me?" I admonished her in a strong firm voice without any derision or rancor.

I saw her eyes change then. From a proud head maid to a frightened servant in a face of my icy stare.

"Yo..you are. Your Grace," she whispered.

"That is right. Although the Duke and I have not had the opportunity to begin our wedded lives together. The fact remains that I am his wife and the mistress of this estate; Hurting those under my supervision is like undermining and questioning the fact that your master married me! " my voice echoed throughout the mansion. " I will go back to the bridal house as a lawful wife should and once the duke and I finish our duties; We discussed how things will be managed around here. Until then, do your job without prejudice."

My words made the silence even more pronounced as the head maid bowed before nodding, her haughty demeanor has vanished but I saw the lingering bitterness in her eyes.

I turned around really and everyone bowed to me as the manservant opened the doors to let me out.

The walk to the bridal house was very silent and I noticed that Linda had not spoken a word.

When we got inside. She suddenly got down on her knees and cried.

"L-Linda?" I bend down to help her up but she shook my hands off.

" You...your Grace was so amazing. You made the others listen to you and your lovely voice was so strong and imposing...It was the most magnificent speech I have ever heard." She wiped the tears from her eyes as she grinned at me. " I swear I will follow you till the end of my days Milady."

Somehow seeing her trust in me increase just because I defended her made us somewhat closer.