The older woman set a brisk pace, moving with a well practiced ease about the hallways.  They passed a few other servants as they took the side ways and back stairs up several floors.  Then they emerged into the hall with the Baron's chambers.  It was large and well-appointed and as they moved along it they passed several large and ornate doors before coming to one that the old woman turned and reached to open.<br/><br/>They entered a sitting room and the woman turned to give Felicity a critical eye.  "One final piece of advice for you girl," she said softly, "Time may have cooled His Excellency's temperament, but even Master Brom fears his father's wrath."<br/><br/>Then she turned and opened the door to the bedroom, revealing a large room dominated by a great bed with heavy velvet curtains that would allow its occupant to sleep soundly even while the servants cleaned and laid out the master's clothes.  The doors to the balcony were open and the figure of the baron was bathed in the moonlight as he stood gazing down upon his lands.<br/><br/>He turned but said nothing, simply raking his sunken eyes over Felicity.<br/><br/>"Go to him," the matron hissed as she pushed the girl forward into the room, "And kneel until he acknowledges you."  Then she shut the doors behind the girl with a disturbingly final thud.