Arthur offered an arm for support should the lady need it. Either way, he led her back through the corridor. "Believe me, Miss, the entire kitchen staff will have been replaced by the time of the party. And we will hire a steward and housekeeper who do know how to keep an eye on the other domestics." It would need some time, that was the frustrating thing. He couldn't sack his entire staff at once or he and his family would starve, freeze, and live in their own filth.

"You there!" he said, when he spotted an unfortunate maid just coming from another direction. She jumped and blushed when she saw the baron and the lady, curtsied deep and kept her eyes down.

" 'pologies for bein' in yer way, my lord," the girl said nervously, as if the corridors of the servant section themselves had become forbidden territory by the mere presence of the baron. It was true, Arthur would normally sack any maid he spotted who hadn't been summoned, but that was in the main house, as he never came down here.

"Call some other maids and tend to the kitchen. There's something cooking. The chef is not to be allowed in, you hear me?" Not that he would eat from his own kitchen anymore until it had been thoroughly cleaned. He wasn't sure yet how they were going to eat tonight. But he didn't need a housefire to add to his problems. "And send the steward and housekeeper to my study!"

"Immediately, ser," the girl gasped, and she hurried away.

When they had gone up the stairs and were back in the Entrance Hall, Arthur turned to Miss Rosewine. "I am so terribly sorry for what you had to endure, Miss Rosewine. Can I offer you another madeira, or something else to calm your nerves?"