Chapter 49
He bounced from foot to foot outside the bedroom, energy ready to erupt.
The evening unspooled cool and silky, getting ready right along with him: historic walls and the liquid veils of the storm, the weight of solid old furniture and nineteenth-century clothing, the sound of boots on antique floors and the starch of wigs and gowns and servants’ disciplined posture.
Mostof them were disciplined. Ryan, back in wardrobe as Thomas the footman, caught Jason’s eye from next to the door, as they waited for the word to go. “I don’t know, man, should I let you in? I’m in charge of his health and well-being, and you just want to run in here all wet and muddy.”
“Can I sack you without a reference?”
“Nope. I work for him. Well, technically his dad.”
“Can Stephen pay you to quit and just look after Will full-time?”
“I don’t know, you kinda look untrustworthy, all piratical—”
“I like pirates!” Colby called from the bed. “Let him in or you’re fired!”