Dambroke, declaring the confusion a damned nuisance, removed himself promptly after breakfast each morning, returning only to change clothes for the evening. Catheryn scarcely noticed his absence except to be grateful for it on Teddy’s behalf. That young man, the picture of innocence at breakfast, would take himself off to the Elman schoolroom only to return later bursting with pent-up mischief. The telltale tray having been discovered the morning after the Heathcote ball, an approving staff quickly dubbed Catheryn Master Teddy’s champion and brought their complaints directly to her. By turn amused and exasperated, she did her best to cope. Called to the kitchen by a tearful maidservant, she spent an uncomfortable half-hour trying to placate an irate Jean-Pierre. That was followed by an equally unsuccessful attempt to convince a twinklingly unrepentant Teddy that the exchange of salt for sugar was not a matter to be taken lightly by one so puffed up in his own esteem as her ladyship’s French chef.
