When she entered the kitchen, Charles was in the far corner, conferring with a footman. His back, thank goodness, was to her, and she darted over to the oven, which was still letting off a bit of smoke, and stuck her head in.

She gasped at what she saw. The rack had been moved to its highest position—even higher than it had been before Ellie had fixed it. Any food placed in the oven would catch fire. It was inevitable.

Ellie stuck her head in a little further, wanting to get a better look, but then she heard a sharp curse behind her. Before she had time to react, she felt herself being yanked backward, and she had no doubt as to who the yanked was.

She turned around warily. Charles was standing over her, and his eyes were blazing with fury.

“I have to tell you something,” she whispered urgently. “The oven. It's—”

“Not one word,” he bit out. His voice was hoarse from the smoke, but that did little to diminish his rage. “Not a single, damned word.”

“But—”

“That's one too many.” He turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.

Ellie felt traitorous tears stinging her eyes, and she had no idea whether they were caused by hurt or anger. She hoped it was anger, because she didn't much like this feeling in the pit of her stomach that he had somehow rejected her. She rose to her feet and walked to the kitchen doorway so that she could hear what Charles was saying to the servants in the hall.

“…thank you for endangering your lives to help me save the kitchen and indeed all of Wycombe Abbey. It was a noble and selfless act you performed today.” Charles paused and cleared his throat. “I must ask, however, were any of you present when the flames began?”

“I had gone to the garden to collect herbs,” replied a kitchen maid. “When I returned, Miss Claire was screaming about the fire.”

“Claire?” Charles's eyes narrowed. “What was Claire doing down here?”

Ellie stepped forward. “I believe she came down earlier when…” She faltered for a moment under the weight of his thunderous glare, but then she reminded herself that she had absolutely nothing of which to be ashamed and continued. “…when we were all gathered in the kitchen.”

Every servant's eyes were on her, and Ellie felt their collective condemnation. After all, she had been the one to adjust the rack.

Charles turned away from her without a word. “Get me Claire,” he said to a footman. Then he turned to Ellie. “A word with you,” he barked, and stalked back toward the kitchen. Before he reached the doorway, however, he turned around and said to the assembled group, “The rest of you may go about your duties. Those of you who are sooty may feel free to avail yourselves of the bathing facilities in the guest wing.” When none of the servants immediately moved, he said sharply, “Good day.”