My Lady Chef
Chapter 24: Class and Upbringing

Ezran's POV:

I met Hubert and Pierce in my study after that amazing lunch.

My wife will need a severe talking to because she broke her promise to rest and yet if she had not taken the time to share her recipes with the new chef then I would have never tasted this Beef Wellington.

The dessert that followed was a nice lightly crushed fruit medley that was left in the icebox and flavored with a dollop of cream and mint.

I was actually satisfied with it because the main course was already filling and my stomach was happier than it has been in a long time.

"What do you think of her?" my red gaze zeroed in on Pierce who looked really satiated with the meal and Hubert who was all smiles because he had a great lunch.

"Lord Ezran. How long has the duchess been able to create dishes like this?" Pierce asked me.

"She told me she developed an interest in it a few months after she met me," I answered my secretary whose eyes sharpened. I know that look. "You think she has the makings of a good chef?" "Even better. She might have the makings of a skilled Chef Maestra if she is given proper training. They are very sought after chefs around the continent. For her Grace to create such a complex dish like this Beef Wellington shows that she is a genius."

I see. Pierce was never one to lie to me. Normally to replace a woman who could further my ambitions in court would have been a welcomed sight.

But the thought of my wife being away from me all the time to cater to the whims of royalty and other greedy aristocrats just leaves a sour note on my tongue.

The realization baffled me but I may be overthinking it. Maybe it is too early to tell if she is indeed a gifted chef.

"For now, I want you to guide her on the basics of accounting and reporting the monthly house expenditures Hubert. Milford is also training her on her numbers but she needs to know how to properly document them. Report back to me on her progress every day."

"Of course, boss. I will get started on teaching her on the morrow." my bookkeeper nodded.

"Pierce. When my wife goes on a tour of the businesses in the shopping district. I want you to accompany her and make sure to cater to her every need. I will join you at a later time since I still have some business at court."

"Yes, I understand. Your Grace" he bowed but he lifted his head and looked at me."Milord, Her Grace is okay with the two of us teaching her?"

His question made me realize that while Milford was a son born from the nobility. Pierce and Hubert were of the middle working class. Most ladies would never want to be associated with men from a class lower than them because of their privileged upbringing.

"I will ask Milford to fetch her now." I used my mana to locate the head butler and bespoke him in his mind to bring my wife here.

In just 15 minutes, my wife was shown in and she seems to be curious as to why I called her.

"Wife, do you have any objections learning from Mr. Hubert and Mr. Pierce?" I waited and observed her reaction.

The last lady I was involved with had encountered these two when she boldly barged into my office one day. Lady Lorax was impossibly rude to them but these two were used to being treated as such by the noble ladies.

But I did not like how she behaved which was why I never visited her for a long time after that incident.

She looked at my trusted men of business and cocked her head in confusion.

"I would be happy to receive help from men you put such trust in, Milord." She stared at me as if the question I asked was not an issue. "Is there a reason why you asked this question?" That was a surprising query coming from a noblewoman.

"The ladies from the capital generally have a different opinion regarding how we treat the middle and peasant classes. I just want to make sure you are comfortable with my people, wife." I decided to be honest with her.

She looked at Pierce then at Hubert again.

"Class and Upbringing are not important to me. Ability and Competence however matters a great deal. My answer stays the same." she said in such a clear voice, her words shocked me and my men.

I dismissed her so she bowed and gracefully left the study, the door softly clicking close behind her.

From the shocking silence, I smiled as my admiration for this woman I call my wife only grew day by day. Her answer was not what I expected because I thought that her upbringing would cause her to shun or even disregard the lower classes.

What a fascinating woman.

"Gentlemen. You heard my lady wife's answer. I trust you will serve her to the best of your abilities."

Pierce looked a little overwhelmed and Hubert looked stunned but they shook it off and bowed to me, promising to help my wife learn what she needed to do and assist her to the best of their abilities.