A Tale of Two Choices

Edmund recognised the servant as Tom, the underfootman. "Tom," he called, "Why were you in the Library? Don't you know there is a Ball tonight and there is work to be done?"

"It was nothing sir, er, I just had to see Lord Withenstrop for something, and I now need to go back to my post."

Edmund didn't trust Tom. There was servant gossip that Tom had previously been to prison for theft, and Edmund had seen Tom skulking round Loxley Hall late at night when he should have been off duty.