Chapter 1

 

Lydia hurried to the door as the loud incessant banging echoed through the entire house.

'Gosh, Mrs Green, what are you doing up at this ungodly hour?' the earl scolded her upon noticing her appearance once the door was opened, and he gained entrance into his home at last.

'The other servants are not here, so I was the only one able to open the door for you. I thought it best to come down rather than let you wait out in that terrible weather', Lydia tried to explain herself.

'Well, quite right that you did. I am already soaked through,' he grumbled, 'but why are the rest of the servants away? Have they suddenly become lazy under your usually watchful eye and disciplined management?' The earl spoke casually, removing his wet coat.

'No, my lord, not lazy; they are not here because they have the evening off. You instructed everyone to enjoy themselves in recognition of your own celebrations', Lydia said flatly, trying to strip any emotion from her voice as she reminded him of his instructions to the household.

'Oh, yes, so I did', the earl scratched his head as if to stimulate himself to gather up all of his memories from the afternoon. 'I remember I was in an immensely good mood this morning. I won big on the horses like I have never done before and I wanted everyone to share in my good fortune. But perhaps I celebrated too recklessly; I should have practiced some restraint for I have almost lost all the money I made on the bet from my indulgences of this evening . . . oh well, life is for living, you have to have a bit of fun sometimes!' He spoke more to himself in reflection.

'My lord, is there anything you wish me to help you with, or can I take my leave?' Lydia addressed him, all the while trying to avoid thinking about the type of fun that the earl may have had to cause him to stagger into his house late at night with his pockets empty of all his coins and him smelling partly of a strong alcoholic beverage.