I found the kitchen a few minutes later. It was, as I guessed, one of the rooms near the entrance. I had decided to get better acquainted with the servants - I should like to know who I'd be around for the next few days. Who I could assume was the cook, Renee, was reading, situated in a chair to the corner of the room. She had heard my entrance; or, rather, didn't want to acknowledge it. I had a look around the room.
     "No doubt you are here for a cup of tea? The english and their tea. Always it is with their tea." I was surprised to hear that Renee spoke with a heavy Irish accent. She certainly looked english enough - golden hair and a round face. Textbook english, really.
     "Actually, I'd go better with a coffee. Need something a bit stronger than tea." I heard she murmured a few words, but I couldn't make them out. I gave a faint, quick Mona Lisa smile and turned away. There was somewhat of a sculpture standing on a countertop. It depicted a cornucopia, filled with the most delightful of foods. "Aren't these usually the symbol of the American holiday Thanksgiving?"
     "You've figured me out." I heard the coffee machine begin to run as Renee spoke. "I'm Irish by blood, but born in America. My forebears were Irish Immigrants, came there in the eighteen hundreds. Moved over to France when I had enough cash - I don't like Irish or American cultures the same. But I always delighted myself with the French. I've always had a good hand when it came to culinary, so when I saw that a job for a cook had opened up at the famous Chateau Villette I nearly jumped at the opportunity to work there. I moved here three years ago, and I've been cooking for the Marsdon's nearly ever since."
     "Lovely story. Explains your fancy for coffee."
     "How'd you know I liked coffee over tea?"
     "You didn't seem to pleased at the thought of tea. A while working with miss Theodosia and you start to notice these things." I turned around to face her and smiled again. She was leaning back against the the counter on her side of the room.
     "Bloody quick, you are. I appreciate having someone new and someone smart around here for a change."
     "Just wait until you meet Alexandra. Nothing that her mind can't do."
     "You two are close?"
     "Well, in a business manor -"
     "I ain't talkin' 'bout business, mister Smith. I'd say you're rather infatuated with her."
     "Well, I suppose you'd be a rather good detective." I looked up at the clock above me. The time was a quarter to four.
     "It ain't rocket science, love. Not at all. Rather funny business it is, though." Just then the coffee had finished pouring, and she drew up a cup for me. "Any modifications?"
     "Ah, yes, milk please."
     "Very well." She opened the fridge and grabbed a carton of milk, applying a little to my coffee and then returning. I noticed she poured herself a cup which she didn't modify. She picked them both and handed me mine.
     "Can't go wrong with coffee." I smiled and took a sip.
     "Indeed." She drank her own.
     "What are you reading?"
     "Alexander Hamilton. One of the founding fathers in America."
     "I've hard him. Didn't they make a musical featuring him?"
     "Yeah. 'Aven't seen it yet - probably won't, now that I'm in France."
     "Yes. A shame that it is strictly American. Seems like a bloody good story."
     "Indeed it is. So why do you find yourself in the kitchen?"
     "I've decided to meet the servants. Want to get used to who I'll be around for the next few days."
     "Right. Well, I can tell you a word of advice or two about Sabine. Rotten egg, that one."
     "Why do you say?"
     "Oh, she looks sweet and all, but she's damned intent on getting the position of housekeeper. She's been pushing the rest of us 'round for a while now - even Julia 'erself. Don't know how she plans to get housekeeper goin' about like that."
     "Well, I'll keep that in mind when I meet her."
     "She always keeps a good profile when meetin' guests."
     "That's unfortunate." I have an inquisitive glance at her and then looked over to the stove. Perhaps the feud was just between herself and Sabine? "Mind if I have a sneak peak at dinner?"
     "Not at all. Think it's one of my best, I do." She made her way along and unhatched the stove door. Inside was an arrangement of steak, neatly sliced in round portions and spread out amongst the dish. "Nearly done. It's 'Steak Diane', a famous French dish. And for dessert I've some chocolate mousse planned."
     "Oh, you're a bloody godsend."
     "I try my best." She rehatched the lid and took a large swallow of her coffee. "You a chocolate lover?"
     "Not necessarily - I think Belgian chocolate is quite delicious, however."
     "Well, I guess I'd better send you on your way. I recommend going to have a chat with Sophia or Simone. Those two are lovely. You might find Sabine and Julia together; great friends, those two."
     "Right." I finished my coffee and placed it by the sink.

*     *     *

     Sophia was just through the adjoining door from the kitchen to the dining room. She was getting the table set - I think my arrival shocked her a little bit, because she jumped. I think she was quite a jumpy little thing.
     "Oh, pardon, I didn't know the guests had arrived yet." She said quickly. "I've been residing in the servants' quarters for a while. Should have guessed that you'd be here when the master ordered I set the table. Silly little me." She gave a quick smile. I could deduce that she was French from the accent.
     "Don't mind me. I've just been having a look about the house."
     "Where are the other two?"
     "Back in our quarters. They're getting ready for the official tour that Julia's gonna give soon. I should probably be back there shortly, come to think of it."
     "Of course. I shan't dely you much longer."
     "Well, I won't be off so soon. I've made it a little goal of mine to get associated with all residents of the house. What is there to know about yourself, Sophia?"
     "Oh, well, not much, really. Born in France, raised in France - I think I might be the only true French citizen in this house, come to think of it."
     "Strange question, but do you get along with Sabine?"
     "Well, yes. I think everyone does - save for Renee, that is."
     "Any idea why Renee might not be fond of her?"
     "Well, apparently their families have quarreled for generations. Never liked each other. You'd have to ask one of them, I don't quite know all about it. The master and Renee don't see eye to eye on it; she says that Sabine should be released, and the master disagrees, simple as that. Sabine is nice to the rest of us, really. Even nice to Renee! That cook's just got the wrong idea about the woman. This is what family feuds do to people, I guess."
     "I see. Tears people apart. Just unfortunate business, that. Have you had any disagreements with the master?"
     "Well, I suppose, yes. He's rather harsh. I think he underestimates me, really. Thinks he can push me around. I can't speak up if I want to keep a job, of course."
      "Right. Well, it's been a pleasure, miss. I'll see you again soon, I should hope.
     "Yes, of course." She smiled. I made my exit and rejoined the others in our room. They were chatting among cups of coffee which Renee had brought them; it seems she didn't want to waste such a lovely beverage.
     "My dear Javan! Where have you got off too?" Chiron welcomed me.
     "Making acquaintance with a few of the servants." I replied.
     "We could tell that - apparently you and Renee are good friends now." Theodosia smiled as she nodded to the coffee.
     "Funny sort, that one." I said, "She doesn't really fit in with the rest who are either British or French."
     "Indeed. Funny business."
     "I suppose you've been gathering your own ideas about the people here, eh?"
     "Aren't I always?" She chuckled, "It is good to know who you are around. What have you gathered for me, Javan?"
     "Your little researcher now, that it?" I chuckled. "Well, let's start with the cook. She seems nice and well-rounded. Great cook, hates tea, coffee enthusiast." Alexandra gave a pleasured sign of agreement with that third remark. "Only problem I see is that she hates Sabine when everybody else loves her. Something about a generations-old family feud."
     "Like the 'Romeo and Juliet', no? Capulets and Montagues, in a manner of speaking."
     "Save for the fact that there's no love between 'em, you're spot on." I smiled.
     "Do not discard the question of love from this household yet." I would have made a comment on the strange remark, but Alexandra seemed deep in thought with that one. If I were any wiser at the time, I'd say she'd been waiting for a murder to happen.
     "Next we come to Sophia. She's a jumpy girl, but she's got her looks about her."
     "The French maids always are in touch with Aphrodite."
     "Her exterior doesn't say much about the extravagance of her interior - that is to say that there is none. Beautiful shell but a dull mind."
     "So many times it is the downfall of women like her. Have you anything else for me?"
     "No, but I'm sure you'd be able to pick up more if you met them yourself. I'm not always as attentive as you are."
     "No. For example, you did not pick up the fact that Renee tires of the Master. Loathes him, might I say."
     "Why'd you imply such a thing?"
     "The way she carries herself, her annoyed monotone, her language always sarcastic. Yes, she tires of the Master very much."
     "This is why you're such a great detective."
     "Really, it is not the - how you say; rocket science?"
     "Maybe to you, but not all of our brains work at an amazing pace." I think she rather enjoyed that compliment. She did always make it a point to prove her superior intellect.
Now she turned to Chiron, who had been listening quietly from a chair. "The Master Marsdon," she began, "did he seek a college scholarship?"
     "Yes, actually."Chiron replied. "Degree in mechanics. Wanted to be a great engineer - well, we don't all reach our goals." He gave his usual, toothy smile. Just then we heard the door unlatch and Julia walked in.
     "I am to show you around the house now." The housekeeper gave a short statement. She seemed to be nervous about something - almost as if she was anticipating something to happen.
     "Oui," Alexandra replied, "we shall be most delighted."
     I shall skip over the tour and give a short layout of the house, as it is unimportant to the narrative. There were two stories to the house. We were on the first floor and near the very back. The two other rooms on our side of the hallway were the dining room and the library, and opposite to us was one of the two bathing rooms, a study, and a living room. The kitchen was on the left of the entrance and opposite to that was a room where Marsdon had worked on a sort of off-limits project. Something about gardening. On the second floor, there was a dressing room, the master bedroom, the servants' quarters, and the second bathroom.
     There was one strange thing that Alexandra inquired to Julia. I shall recite it now; Alexandra, near the end of the tour, turned and asked the rather strange question of Marsdon's beliefs on homosexual marriage. The girl seemed rather flustered and confused, responding half a second later.
     "Well, he's openly against it, actually. Classic fellow, he is. Hates all of this new 'politically correct' world that we live in."
     "Ah, merci, mon ami. That will be all." With that, Theodosia sent the housekeeper on her way.
     "It's as if you're planning for there to be a murder with all these strange inquiries you're making." Chiron laughed. "What's Marsdon's belief on gay marriage have to do with anything?"
     "I have suspicions about some of the servants. Perhaps this information will be useful later. Anyway, I suppose we depart now?"
     "Yes, I guess we have to. Meet back in the dining room by five thirty?"
     "Sounds well enough." Alexandra went up to the dressing room as Chiron and I retreated back to our quarters.

* * *

     Alexandra, as always, arrived early than us. She wore a scarlet dress which matched her pale complexion rather perfectly, I should say. It also blended with her noir hair in such a French way. Chiron had on a velvet coat atop a blue vest, and that blue vest was atop a white, long-sleeved, dress shirt. I was the plain Jane of the group, as always. I wore a simple black suit with some white accent. It was nothing special. We sat at our designated seats, conversing and waiting for the others. It was around five forty five when Marsdon and his wife entered the room. Miss Marsdon was a short, blonde haired woman, apparently not that young anymore as shown by a few short wrinkles on her round face.
     "I would like you all to meet Heather." Marsdon smiled warmly, waving his hand to the woman beside him. She gave a small, sheepish grin and greeted us.
     "Salutations," I could tell now she was a shy girl.
     "Heather," Theodosia began, "is it not always the name of the most beautiful, respectable women?"
     "I had quite the bout of trouble in my youth with that name. So many others with the same!" Heather chuckled and sat down. Chiron smiled, but I could see he was not too happy seeing his step-mother, who he was indefinitely older than. I daresay he was starting to regret our trip - always was loyal to his real mother, now that I come to remember.
     "It is common, oui." Just then, Renee walked in with the meal of the night. The smell itself was enough to arouse all of our attention.
     "Ah, that's like Renee!" Marsdon said. "Always aiming to improve."
     "I try my best." Renee piped up.
     "Where are the rest of the servants?"
     "In the quarters, chatting over tea." The last word she had said in disgust. "Save for Sabine. Broad's always up to something. I think she's up cleaning up your beds. I'll be in the kitchen drinking whatever kind of alcohol I can find - I'll clean the dishes after dinner."
     "Very well. Goodnight, then." Marsdon turned to us after she left. "Always a delight that one. Great cook, but slightly alcoholic." He chuckled. I don't think there was a servant that he didn't like in the household.
     "Oh, it does certainly seem that way!" Alexandra was a fanatic over dinners. Some wine and an exquisite dish brought her personality out. Mrs. Marsdon had only a salad and some water - I could see she was a lightweight. Perhaps anibetic? Women did so very much worry about their weight, and especially at that age. The rest of us, however, took the main course. Marsdon and Chiron shared the same demeanour, but that's where the resemblance stopped. They didn't make much small talk - Chiron wasn't his lively self tonight. He would only talk every now and then and briefly at that. Mr. Marsdon and Theodosia got on well enough, and I joined in with their conversation. Mrs. Marsdon was also quiet.
     Marsdon brought up some point of a machine - a sort gardening tool he was working on. It was supposed to help create automatic compost and the such.
     "It's a work in progress right now," he said, "It grinds up an input and outputs it as raw material. Should help to easier water the garden or grow the plants."
     "Interesting..." I didn't know much about machines, but it did seem quite revolutionary. "So it works with some sort of grinding system?"
     "Indeed. You're a tech savvy, eh?"
     "No - but I can respect a great piece of work when I see one."
     "That the case, then?" He chuckled and gave a quick, implicative glance at Theodosia. I heard some talking to my left - it seemed like Chiron and his mother-in-law were warming up to each other. That was good; let bygones be bygones, right?
     "So, you two work for Scotland Yard?" Marsdon continued.
     "In a way, yes." Alexandra began. "And in another way, I am a private detective. Sometimes, I am assigned cases by the London police, other times, I take cases from people who visit my office in search of the famed Alexandra Theodosia."
      "Not the least bit cocky, are you?"
     "It is good for one to acknowledge their own abilities, and it is possible for one to recognise their own skill-set while being modest. For example, I can acknowledge how great a detective Poirot was, and so can he, and so can many others. To recognise one's own superiority can be a good tool in establishing dominance and control over any situation."
     "Well, I don't think I've ever heard it rationalized like that." Marsdon laughed. Changing the subject, he said "What's your opinion on women's intuition, by the way? My wife and I argue over its existence all the time."
     "I do not believe in such a silly premise. Say for once a woman demonstrates her superior intellect and mental capacities to others, they think it is so obscure, they give a scientific name; women's intuition! Bah!" She laughed and drank a little sip of her wine.
     "Well, I think I'll have to be with you on that one. Missus bets on her life that such a thing must be real, even if it is only proven one time out of ten?" He chuckled.
     After a few more minutes, dinner had finished and conversation wrapped up. Chiron, Alexandra, and I went to the kitchen after dessert to talk for a little bit. I went to take a short trip to the restroom and ran into none other than Julia Ciencia. She seemed to be in a fluster, red face and all.
     "What's gotten into you?" I asked her.
     "Oh, nothing, sir. I was just on my way to see Sophia. She and I, um, we had a disagreement over the up-keeping of the place earlier. I thought I'd go in and make it up to her."
      We talked briefly for another minute before I continued my trip. It was about half past ten when I was on my way back to the kitchen. Besides a brief encounter with Marsdon and my friends noting that I had certainly taken my time, the night continued as normal.