Helena gave the cook a grateful smile as she took the children off her hands, then retrieved a glass from a nearby cupboard and poured a brandy for Cooper. She added a generous splash to her own drink as well. She was not a heavy drinker… Or any type of drinker at all really, and he hoped the man would not perceive her as such, but after tonight’s tension she could use a little something.<br/><br/>The governess sat back down at the table and sipped her now heavily laced cocoa, closing her eyes and letting out a contented sigh as she felt the hot liquid burn its way down her throat and settle, warm and pleasant, in her stomach.<br/><br/>“I do apologise,” she said to the man after a lengthy silence. “I fear I’m not the best company tonight. It’s just… It’s all so... so<em>awful</em>. The masters murder. The mistress… Poor thing. And those<em>useless</em>inspectors. I thought everything would be alright once they arrived but now I’m not so sure.” She spoke frankly. Clearly the alcohol had already begun to loosen her tongue. “And I do wonder what’s to become of us,” she said as she glanced around at the other servants. “With the master gone the estate will almost certainly pass to master Robert and that… wife of his. She seems pleasant enough and so very well behaved but… different. I have no idea what to make of her to be honest... And she seems to have such a firm hold on her husband,” yes, it was clear who was in charge in that relationship.<br/><br/>She paused to take another sip of her cocoa. “Ah but I hate to complain like this...”<br/><br/>A change of subject. Yes, that was what she needed. Something to distract her. “Please, mister Cooper,” she said, fixing him with her grey eyes, “Tell me a little about yourself. And the mayor... The two of you seem very close.”<br/>