193 INVITATION

As soon as Mrs. Fairfield left Roxanne's presence, she decided to find Simon instead. Since his position as head Butler and Rochester's right-hand man put him in direct contact with the other servants of the house, she decided that going to him would save her the stress of having to speak first to Mrs. Phillipe, who was at that moment in Adelaide's room, standing guard while the doctor monitored her health.

She found Simon where she suspected he would be - down in the cellar. With his back to her, she watched as he instructed four athletic men where to place some foreign-branded wines on the cellar shelves.

"Mr. Simon!" the woman shouted.

The man, hands on his hips, leaned to one side to watch her as she fell down the rest of the stairs further into the basement.

Her pace was frantic indeed.

"Do you need me?" Simon asked at once.

"I'm afraid so." Mrs. Fairfield said. She covered the small space between them and explained all about her business there.