Ah! Did he spy a shadow of Mr. Benjamin, fleeing, or was that just a trick of the light?

Before he could follow, he heard a knock at the door. Zechariah peered out the window, grinned, and went to open the door. At least that part of his plan had fell neatly into his lap.

“Elijah,” he said, keeping his normally loud voice down. “I was just about to send for you.”

He glanced over his shoulder.

“And my sister, as soon as I can find my butler. My fiance is here taking a nap,” he rushed, “and she seems to be in a bit of a … state.”

He stepped aside, eyes dropping to the bread finally, and waved for him to enter.

“Come in, come in. We can put that on the table.”