Chapter 19
NELLIE CAME BACK to the palace kitchens during the chaos of mid-morning.
“Oh, there you are!” Dora called out the moment she stepped into the door. Her face was red from stirring the pan at the stove.
“I’ve brought you the saffron,” Nellie said.
“Must have been very special saffron for the time you were away.”
“It was. The usual place was out of stock. Can I—”
“I need you to help the girls upstairs. Corrie tripped on the stairs and hurt her ankle. I told her to stick her foot in cold water. She can barely walk, let alone carry dishes. Where were you? What’s going on, Nellie? I heard Madame Sabine came down here to speak to you. What was that about?”
Nellie told her of Lord Verdonck’s illness and how Graziela was no longer in town.
“Yes, she was clear about her witchcraft
