grin faded as he discovered a profound change in the older man’s features. One side of his face was turned down at the side, and his slow progress became painful to watch.
“You’ve been unwell,” Hector murmured, and then averted his eyes.
“Just a bit slower than I used to be, my lord,” Brown murmured, pausing to draw breath. He glanced at the other servant. “Have the Green Room prepared for Lord Stockwick immediately and inform cook we’ve guests for dinner.”
“Yes, sir.” The fellow rushed off.
The old butler winced. “Forgive the confusion, my lord. Peter is new to the household and not acquainted with all the family yet.”
“Ah, right. Oh, and speaking of new. This is my new valet, Parker,” he announced. “I was expecting to meet my sister and Lord Clement here.”
“We have not been informed of their coming, my lord, but we will now have the house prepared,” he promised.
Hector glanced around, finally noticing there were closed doors all around him, and it was almost as cold inside as out. “Who is here, sir?”
“Only Lord Vyne.”
“Ah,” Hector said but cringed. He and Lord Vyne were not the best of friends. Hector actually preferred it that way. “I suppose I’d better pay my respects.”
“Lord Vyne will be informed of your arrival, of course, and I will have someone let you know when he might consent to see you.”
“I’m in no hurry, but thank you.”
The butler glanced around them; his expression was pained. “The lower rooms are not warm, my lord, so perhaps you’d like to remain in your rooms for now. I’ve put you in the same room you had last year. The lower rooms’ fires will be lit shortly but it could take some hours for the drawing room and library to become warm enough for you.”
“As long as there’s a fire and bottle of port to be drunk in my room, I’ll be in no hurry to come back down tonight.”
“Very good, my lord,” the butler said before he began another slow shuffle back to the shadows.
Hector started up the stairs immediately, Parker at his side. “Well, isn’t this a cold welcome,” he muttered. “I come all this way on the promise of a good time and end up nearly alone.”
“Perhaps the Clements are delayed by the weather,” Parker murmured soothingly. “Lord Vyne will undoubtedly be glad of your company.”
“I highly doubt that,” he rubbed his chilled jaw. “M’sister never quite mentioned how the old devil took his wife leaving him. He was sour before, but after that…”
“Perhaps he’s mellowed.”
“Not a chance,” Hector warned. They reached the top of the stairs and paused to look around. “The family wing is that side, guests always to the left. Lord Vyne’s chambers are the very last set of doors down there.”
Those doors were closed, but a line of light shone beneath them, which Hector supposed meant the old devil was inside stewing in his juices most likely. Hector would see him soon enough, and tonight, console himself with an excellent evening of drinking alone.
He turned down the hall toward the room he’d occupied last year and found servants streaming in and out of the chamber. The bed had just finished being made up, and a maid crouched over the pitifully small fire. Parker strode in, took charge of the luggage, and then ushered the maid out, promising to take care of the fire himself. He bent low, coaxing the flames to life.
Hector threw himself on the bed, tossed a blanket over his legs and put his hands behind his head. “Good enough for now,” he murmured.
A servant came to the door and cleared his throat soon after. “Lord Vyne has been informed of your arrival but is disinclined to see you this evening, my lord,” the man announced
“Disinclined? Now that is a frosty reception.” He waved the servant away and caught Parker’s gaze. “I told you he wouldn’t have mellowed.”
“I’m sorry I doubted you.”
“It’s quite all right. People always underestimate my wisdom.” He sighed. “I suppose we ought to bunk down for the night. See what the new day brings.”
“I’m sure tomorrow will be a vast deal more to your liking,” Parker promised.
Hector closed his eyes, seriously considering taking a nap before dinner. “One can only hope so.”
Chapter Three
Hector was suddenly and rudely shaken awake. “I’m sorry to wake you, my lord, but I’ll be off to find our supper.”
Hector yawned, glancing around and then squinting at the dark window panes. “Is it night already?”
“A little after nine, my lord. The