A bead of cold sweat rolled down the temple of Henry, Maverick Beecham's butler. With his lordship currently absent, all responsibilities had fallen squarely on his shoulders.
Managing the household was challenging enough, but handling his lord's guests was a task that tested even his unflappable demeanor.
Now, in the grand yet dimly lit living room, Henry found himself standing awkwardly before two unexpected guests.
On one side sat Lawrence Beecham, arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes narrowed in irritation.
Across from him was Theresa, a stoic elderly woman and Lawrence's former nanny. Her years of service as a military nurse had left her with a stern, unyielding demeanor.
The tense silence was broken by Lawrence's curt voice. "What do you need by summoning me here today, Theresa? I'm busy."
