Brown went about tidying up the room. “Lady Melody also requested you be sent up a tray of food.”
“Since when did you start taking orders from my sister?” Winston asked.
Holding a cravat in his hand, Brown responded, “Your sister can be rather frightening.”
“Melody?” Winston asked, raising an eyebrow.
Brown tipped his head in acknowledgement. “She may be very soft-spoken, but I do not dare defy her. Her words have authority.”
Winston let out a soft chuckle. “Melody is harmless.”
“I am not so sure that is true,” Brown said, continuing his task. “Have you seen her shoot a pistol? She has remarkable aim.”
His brow furrowed. “Melody can shoot a pistol?”
“Yes, my lord,” Brown replied. “She practices nearly every day in the gardens. Have you not seen her?”
With a glance at the window, he replied, “I suppose I haven’t.”
Brown placed the discarded clothing onto the dressing table. “Lady Melody also can speak many languages. It is rather unnerving.”
“Every genteel woman speaks a few languages,” Winstondefended. “But I will admit it is odd that she can speak a little Russian.”
“A little?” Brown asked. “I daresay she is fluent, at least that is what Lady Melody’s lady’s maid informed me of.”
Winston gave his valet a look of disbelief. “I doubt that to be true.”
Brown shrugged. “Regardless, she also asked for me to order some flowers for Miss Mattie Bawden, Miss Emma and their cousin, Miss Francesca Bawden.”
“That is not an awful idea,” Winston said. “Do you have time to go into the village?”
“I can make the time, my lord,” Brown assured him.
Winston bobbed his head. “Good,” he stated. “Women like flowers, and that might make the upcoming conversation with Miss Bawden much more tolerable.”
A knock interrupted their conversation.
Brown walked over and opened the door, revealing a footman with a metal basin. He brought it in and placed it down by the fireplace. Additional footmen walked into the room and filled the basin full of water.
Winston walked over to the basin and dipped his fingers into the water. It was cold. “Did you not instruct the cook to boil the water?”
“Your sister was insistent that you needed a bath as quickly as possible,” Brown responded, turning away from him.
“Need I remind you that you work for me?” Winston remarked as he removed his white shirt.
In a jovial voice, Brown said, “I am well aware, but I do not wish to upset Lady Melody. For any reason.”
Winston just shook his head, more amused than anything by his valet’s irrational fear of Melody. He quickly undressed and stepped into the bath. The cold water was uncomfortable, but he had no intention of lingering. He had far more pressing matters to attend to.
A short time later, he stepped out of thebath and Brown extended him a towel. He dried off and walked over to the bed where his clothing had been meticulously laid out. Once he was dressed, he approached the mirror and began adjusting his cravat.
“You are married, are you not?” Winston asked, his gaze still fixed on the mirror as he smoothed the fabric into place.
“Yes, my lord,” Brown replied. “I have been for some time now.”
Turning slightly, Winston met Brown’s gaze in the mirror. “Are you happy?”
Brown eyed him curiously. “Why do you ask, my lord?”
