Read Somewhat Scandalous (Brambridge Novel 1) for Free Online

her, I do—”
    Behind her, Victoria took in a large gulp of air. Agatha felt behind her and grasped at Victoria’s hand, squeezing it.
    “Ahem,” Agatha tried again.
    The cook turned her large form in surprise. “Miss Aggie—” She covered her mouth in evident distress—“Miss Victoria… I…”
    “Err, I’ll be going.” The butcher bowed his head and quickly wrapped up the chops. He nodded his still bowed head and, turning quickly, left through the kitchen door.
    “Me too.”
    Agatha swung in surprise. She hadn’t noticed another man in the room, and yet she was only just quick enough to see a small glimpse of the side of his face and then his back as he disappeared behind the butcher.
    The cook opened and closed her mouth a few times before sinking into a low oak kitchen chair. “Miss Victoria,” she repeated.
    Victoria nodded silently and felt for a chair at the kitchen table. Gathering her purple skirts to her, she pulled the chair out and sank into it. With a sigh, Agatha shook her head and, filling a copper kettle with water, placed it on the still warm stove.
    Mrs. Noggin half rose. “Miss Aggie, let me—”
    Agatha shook her head. “You rest. I believe Victoria would like to ask you some questions. Victoria?”
    Victoria stared at the table. “I… err… Mrs. Noggin… that is to say…”
    Quickly Agatha pulled the book out from under her arm and laid it on the table. Opening it with two hands, she smoothed her hand down the page and, pointing at the start of the chapter, slid the book under Victoria’s nose.
    Victoria swallowed visibly. “Yes. Aha. Mrs. Noggin. It is good to see you after such a long time.”
    “Oh yes my lady,” Mrs. Noggin sank back with visible relief into her chair. “The last time I saw you was when you had your coming out ball. Gosh what a sight you were.”
    “That was three years ago.”
    “Aye. A bonny fifteen year old you were. So lively. We all watched from below stairs as you walked out on your father’s arm.”
    Agatha poured some hot water from the kettle into a cup and slid it across to Mrs. Noggin so that her arm obstructed her view. Looking back over her shoulder, she checked on Victoria. She sat as still as a statue, frozen to her chair.
    “Mrs. Noggin. We were wondering if you might help us. Oh dear.” As Agatha pushed the cup, it tilted slightly on a dent in the table and splashed hot water across the wooden top. “I’m terribly sorry, Mrs. Noggin.”
    Victoria jumped out of her seat and hurried to a rail of cloths that hung by the sink. Pulling down a towel, she patted at the table. “Mrs. Noggin, we were wondering if you might provide us with some items.”
    “Anything for you, Miss Victoria.” The sight of Victoria clearing up in front of the cook was obviously too much.
    “We need. Ah,” Victoria fumbled with the book, “isinglass and wine.” She stared at Agatha.
    Agatha licked her lips. “I’m going show you how my boots were made waterproof.”
    Victoria sank back into her chair. “I think I need another cup of tea. How on earth is that relevant to wine and isin… isin.”
    “Isinglass,” Mrs. Noggin said unexpectedly.
    “I’m not sure what mixing glass with wine will do.” Victoria frowned.
    The cook laughed. “It’s not glass. It’s dried cod. Swimbladder of cod that is. We use it to make that Solomon flummery jelly you like so much.” Pushing her chair back, Mrs. Noggin pulled a jar of irregularly shaped white leaves from the shelf and felt under the counter, pulling out a bottle of wine. “Here, Mister Henry didn’t finish this last night. I was going to throw it out.”
    Victoria had turned a very pale pink. “There is fish in my favorite dessert?”
    “It doesn’t taste of fish, does it?” Agatha ran her finger down the page of the book. “Aha.” Uncorking the bottle of wine, Agatha poured a large amount into a glass. “Please could you melt some of the isinglass for me, Mrs. Noggin?”
    “Of course I