Page 49 of A Rogue to Reform

He considered for a moment that he kept the largest bedroom, and therefore, Felicity would join him there. “I do ask that the sitting room adjoining my bedroom be refreshed. Since she and Mother are redecorating most of the house, I will specifically ask they do not touch that room. I will have it decorated separately for Miss Murray.”

“What of Mr. Murray?” Norman asked. “Will he continue to live here?”

“Yes, he will,” Evan replied. “Now, I must find my bed. Thank you all for the good wishes. Please take tomorrow off and enjoy yourselves as a gift from me. There is much work to come.”

The women looked to Norman, who nodded in agreement. Then with wide smiles, hurried away to conclude any chores so they could be free the next day.

“Thank you, sir,” Norman said. “Good night, sir.”

“Good night, Norman.”

When Evan woke, it was clearly late in the day. It was a Saturday, which meant he was not expected at the warehouse.

He planned to visit Felicity later that day. However, first he would meet with someone about the redesign of the sitting room. He’d made an appointment to meet with the accountant on Monday, so he wanted to organize his papers and review his ledgers prior. Finally, he planned to meet with Henry at Walker’s that evening.

When he went downstairs, he remembered the servants had the day off. Norman and the women lived in an adjoining wing that was behind the house. They had a separate kitchen and sitting room, so he would not see them that day.

“Where the bloody hell is everyone?” Grant grumbled, sitting at the dining room table with what looked to be a glass of wine.

“Are you drinking wine?” Evan asked with a smirk.

“What else is there? I cannot very well make tea without hot water.” His friend glared into his glass. “This is not a good way to start my day.”

Evan walked past to the kitchen where he added wood to the stove and lit it, and then he filled up the kettle from water in a decanter and put it on the surface.

“When did you learn to do this?” Grant asked.

“While preparing for being completely destitute, I asked to be taught things like lighting a fire and preparing toast, eggs, and bacon.”

After slicing some bacon, he added it to the pan. While it browned, he prepared tea for himself. Following suit, Grant did the same.

When the bacon was done, Evan removed it from the pan, poured the fat into a bowl that was used for it, and cracked four eggs onto the heated pan.

“Mind you, the eggs will probably have shells and the bacon may be burnt, but it will be edible.” Motioning to a table, he pointed at bread and a cutting board. “Slice bread for toast. If you are hungry and expect to eat, you must help.”

Not too much later, they ate their breakfast.

“This is delicious,” Grant exclaimed between bites. “I must compliment you on the seasoning. The cracked black pepper makes a huge difference.”

Evan devoured his meal and reached for another slice of toast. “Father always asks for it, and I must admit, it does add a certain flavor that enhances.”

He could tell there was something on Grant’s mind. He studied his friend’s still bruised face and almost chuckled. Grant’s eye had turned a dreadful shade of purple.

“What are you looking at?”

“Your eye.”

Grant’s eyes narrowed. “You are not exactly in pristine condition.” He hesitated. “Would you like me to move out?”

So that was what bothered Grant.

“Of course not. This house is huge. There is plenty of room for your entire family to come and live here.”

“God, man, why would you say that?” Grant’s eyes widened and he performed the sign of the cross. “The last thing I’d want would be to live with them again.”

Evan had to laugh. “Very well, I will not invite them to move in. I promise.”

They discussed what they planned for that day, and Grant admitted he’d planned to look for a place to live if Evan wished him to move out. Since he didn’t have to, he invited himself along to speak to a designer about Felicity’s sitting room.