Chapter 11: Rhododendron, Part 2
More falling from his horse than dismounting, he pulled out his spectacles and settled them in place. Hastening into the stable, he was grateful to see a stable hand was awake - likely wakened by Louis and told to await his arrival. Handing over his horse, he took his bag and strode quickly back to the house, eschewing the front door to slip around to take the servant entrance.
Despite the early hour, the kitchen was bright and warm and bustling. Stregoni gratefully abandoned the feeling of living in a waking nightmare and slid back into the world of the waking. He smiled at the cook and the head footman as he slipped into the room looking more asleep than awake - though he woke up sharp enough when he spied Stregoni. "Doctor!"
"Louis sent me," Stregoni explained. "How is Tony?"