- 2- Uncle Norman, Aunt Minerva and Alice

Alice,
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Lady Laura descended the main staircase holding onto the deep oak handrail as she went. The wood was polished to a high gloss and felt lovely under her hand as she followed the graceful curve of the slight downward spiral. When she reached the bottom of the steps she proceeded along the foyer and down the hallway, before turning into the breakfast salon which was situated at the back of the house. She paused before entering the room as something seemed amiss.

Her eyes searched the room from where there wafted the delicious smells of the breakfast foods for which Chef Armand was famous. She inhaled the aromas and stepped into the room.

Alfred, the footman was bending over and seemed to be assisting a small, rotund man with gray hair to arise from the chair he had been occupying.

"Uncle Simon you have arrived," said Lady Laura smiling widely as she ran toward him.

"Yes, I am finally arrived this morning and have enjoyed my breakfast. But I don't find it easy to get up after sitting for a time." He grunted as Alfred helped him to stand. "You look lovely my dearest. Come and give an old man a hug," he laughed gruffly.

Laura sprang into his arms and embraced him warmly. "Oh Uncle, it is so grand to see you again. Since I have returned from school and have enjoyed a few weeks here in Brighton, I was wondering when you would get here." She stepped back her face shining with delight.

He took in her beauty, her sincere happiness and returned the smile, a twinkle reaching his merry blue eyes. "Your parents would be so pleased by you Laura, indeed they would. You have quite grown into a pretty young thing," he replied. Her smile deepened.

"I was about to breakfast but I will hurry, and after you have walked about the garden I will come outside to join you," she said.

"No need to hurry my dear we have all the time in the world," he stated moving forward, his wrinkled hand upon the strong arm of Alfred. "Take your time Laura, Alfred will bring me up to date and then you and I will have ourselves some tea in the garden." He waved as Alfred helped him down the few steps beyond the door which led to the outside.

Laura sat down and helped herself to the plate of food just sent down from the kitchen. It was filled with golden scrambled eggs, lightly sprinkled with cheddar cheese. Thick slices of deep red tomatoes and crisply fried bacon were placed alongside. She reached for the bread, and tore off a portion, spread strawberry jam and before she knew it she had finished and was drinking the last of her tea, when she heard a rustling of skirts nearing the doorway. She glanced up in time to see a most elegantly clad woman enter the room, flourishing her beauty without a thought.

"Good morning dearest, did you sleep well?" she asked. Taking her seat she placed the linen napkin on her lap covering the blue of her damask morning dress. She brushed tendrils of deep auburn hair from her eyes and inspected the plate of food being set down before her by one of the serving maids. "Thank you Mary," she said, as the maid bobbed a curtsy. She looked at Laura with a smile.

"Good Morning Aunt Minerva. Yes. Surprisingly, I slept well and the ocean breeze is wonderfully invigorating, is it not?" she asked. Her aunt agreed and Laura continued "Uncle Simon is walking about the garden and I am so glad he has arrived. It is all coming true. We leave for London tomorrow."

"Yes Laura, your time has finally come to enter London society, and we will have but two months to prepare for your first ball," she stated. Taking a mouthful of food and raising her eyebrows she continued, "Chef has certainly added something different to the eggs. The flavor is so delicate." She rolled her eyes heavenward.

"Chef has not revealed any of his secrets to me but he did promise to show me how to prepare a menu. In fact he said it is imperative I learn these important matters," Laura revealed. Her aunt seemed a bit surprised that the chef would take her niece under his wing. Being French he was usually throwing people out of his kitchen, his domain as he put it. Laura must has won him over to have him volunteer his culinary supervision.

Lady Laura excused herself from the table and walked into the drawing room calling to Alice, her young cat. Alice had come to her while she was at Miss Kent's School for Young Ladies, in Bath. Just a tiny ball of fluff was the first image Laura had of the tiny kitten. She was starving, about five weeks old and mewling pathetically. Being fond of animals, Laura snatched her up and nursed her to health. The little cat loved her mistress and would follow her about devotedly.

She was found in the drawing room napping and upon seeing Laura she yawned, stretched and stood up. As soon as Laura was about a foot away, Alice gracefully leaped up and into a laughing Laura's arms. "Oh my pet," she said giving Alice a hug and a quick kiss. "You are the most beautiful kitty in the world and you are mine. Come with me to the garden and I shall introduce you to your Great Uncle Simon. Alice nuzzled Laura under her chin, settling comfortably within the arms which so lovingly held her.

As soon as Lady Laura and Alice emerged onto the garden path she froze when she spotted the tall handsome man sitting next to Uncle Simon.