“Sorry to disturb, Baron,” said Thomas. “Eileen has asked me to be her escort to your party this evening—”
“Of course she has,” said the baron, smiling.
“And with that in mind,” said Thomas. “Where are your rooms?”
The baron gave Thomas the directions. “Do come by in an hour or so. That will give me time to get things set up.” Thomas bowed politely and started down to the baths. He found George overflowing one of the larger soaking tubs, and a set of clean clothes laid out on a rack on the far side of the room. The room was one of the few warm places in the castle, and Thomas let the warmth soak into his body for a moment before finding a standing tub and stripping himself down for a scrub.
Despite Eileen’s misgivings, which he couldn’t quite figure out, he looked forward to taking her
