door swung open and Bertram Farris entered. Farris was broad-shouldered and stocky, far less elegant than the slender and particular men Tamara had always encountered in his position. But he was an excellent butler, a gentleman's gentleman who came from a family with a proud history as household domestics.
"Good afternoon, Miss Tamara," the butler said, executing a small bow.
"And to you, Farris. You'll pardon my brusqueness, but I hope you're not here with further tales of woe."
The butler stood as though at attention, more grimly proper than any military man. "Not at all, Miss. It's only that Master William had not yet returned and there is a visitor at the door. I made it clear to him that Ludlow House is not in the habit of receiving strange visitors unannounced-"
"Would that we weren't," Tamara muttered.
"I also informed him that Master William was not at home, but he then
