The villa on Williams Street.
After confirming that everything was quiet and no one had their sights on him, Lorne made another circuit of the incident site in Bridge Borough and found that the Nighthawks had cordoned it off. Only then did he return to the villa the following afternoon.
"Sir... yesterday's meeting ran rather long, and your schedule today is also..."
Asnia, his butler, came forward to take Lorne's coat. Seeing his master's exhausted face, he hesitated.
In truth, he wanted to advise his master not to devote all his time and energy to tedious work. He could afford to relax a little.
As a newly appointed viscount, he ought to engage in social activities befitting his noble status. For instance, he could attend high society polo matches, enjoy an opera at the Backlund Grand Theater, or host a few private salons.
Of course, most importantly, he should find a suitable lady of the house as soon as possible and produce an heir. That would prevent a repeat of the awkward and dangerous situation in which he suddenly vanished, leaving his vast estate without anyone to inherit it.
In fact, after Lorne received his title and rose to fame, another situation had arisen that gave the butler headaches.
Young noblewomen from high society, daughters of wealthy merchants desperate to improve their social standing, and even certain amorous married ladies had all set their sights on him. Since they could never find his master when they wanted to contact him, they approached Asnia through roundabout channels or bribed the villa's maids, hoping he would deliver private letters or arrange introductions.
He had even heard that a few particularly bold ladies wanted to stage a romantic encounter with his master, complete with a "chance meeting and a hero rescuing a damsel."