Chapter 22

I didn’t recognize the man sitting in my home.

“How…?” Hallers stepped in before me, his professional mask cracking as he realized that in his absence a strange man had been allowed to enter the house.  

The man smiled, the expression showing too much teeth, coming across as more threatening than reassuring. “Now, now, butler… don’t get your uniform tied up in knots, your staff didn’t have a choice.” He turned towards Henry and me, giving a formal bow.

“Sir Matchins, at your service.” His voice was mocking, the bow too shallow to be truly respectful.

I stepped forward, “Sir Matchins, although we haven’t been formally introduced, I do wonder as to the urgency of the matter that caused you to be at our home so late in the evening.” I kept my face calm and neutral, ignoring the discomfort of his gaze, as he l