Sarah kept re-adjusting her cap as she hurried to help Rebecca, the upper maid prepare the tea trays for the mass of guests that would gather in the drawing room later that afternoon. She was still a bit flustered from Robin's latest attempt to kiss her, and she was certain she looked a fright with hair sticking out in every which way. What a disaster, she thought, to think of what the London gossips would say of her reputation if they new of Robin's attentions.

"You alright, Sarah?" Rebecca asked as the two continued to work.

"I am fine, thank you," Sarah answered with a weak smile, Rebecca's brow furrowed and she stopped to rest a hand on Sarah's arm.

"You're shaking and flushed," the young maid insisted. She was always kind to Lottie and Sarah, but Sarah was certain she should not divulge what had happened in the garden just a half an hour ago to anyone.

"It's nothing," she insisted with a shake of her head and a deep sigh.

"I heard Sir Charles has requested you read to him in the afternoons," Rebecca stated and Sarah gave no denial or affirmation, "Is that was has your worried? Are you afraid of him?"

"No!" Sarah said indignantly and then regretted her fervor immediately, "No, I- Sir Charles is ... kind," Sarah finished, all of the things Sir Charles was to her flooded her head.

"You are right," Rebecca affirmed with a nod as the girls returned to their work, "Sir Charles is a gentlemen - even to housemaids like us. You can be sure you have nothing to fear from him," Rebecca reassured serenely, "Nothing like his brother," she muttered under her breath.

Sarah paused her work to consider the maids statement, but at that very moment, Robin came stumbling through the kitchen door. Sarah immediately turned back to her work, giving a great amount of attention to the teacup in front of her, hoping the footman would continue on his way. She glanced up after a few seconds of silence and their eyes met. Robin's expression changed into pure terror as he dropped the piece of cake he'd been sneaking and held up both hands in front of him. Sarah could not believe the sight of him backing away from her as fast as he could, eyes wide with fear and hands up in surrender. How strange indeed.

"He seems a bit off, doesn't he?" Rebecca murmured as they both watched him turn and run from the kitchen altogether. Sarah just nodded in agreement.