Chapter 5

“Might you have a robe or something for now?”

“Yes. Of course. A robe.” With that, Charles fled to the safety of his bedchamber.

* * * *

He sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, breathing heavily and blinking at the fire. After a moment, he threw more logs on to keep the blaze going. It was the only other room in the house that was warm apart from the study and the kitchen. He didn’t bother keeping any other areas heated and aired as there was usually no point. He couldn’t offer a guest room that was horribly damp and unaired. The man would have to sleep in his chamber. Charles let out a faintly hysterical laugh at the thought and sank his fingers into his hair. It took a moment, but he pulled himself together and found the warmest robe he possessed. It was a heavy blue brocade that his aunt had bought him a few years before. She said the colour reminded her of his eyes. He smiled at the memory and tucked it over his arm.