The kitchen was warm and inviting as the earl came in. The sound of muffled crying could be heard and then a startled gasp. The chair scraped back as she stood, and she quickly dashed away her tears. "Oh... excuse me..." she said, her voice sounding odd as she addressed him. Sniffling pitifully, she made to walk around him and go to another room. But then she realized he was probably not looking for the kitchen. "Are you lost, my lord?" she asked.