Like almost every other morning, the lady went to her desk, took a few coins from her drawer, and pulled the cord that hung to the left of the fireplace. It called her butler, Mr. Avery, who had been in her household for years. He had been there when her husband was still alive, and she felt that in a strange way he had taken her husband’s place. At least in that he was always there to care for her. Avery was a tall, lanky, stoic man, with black hair distinguished by a white streak on the left side. His face was heavily lined, almost like chiseled rock, and his eyes were deep brown.

“Good morning, Lady Tremaine,” he said when he entered the room, making her smile. She knew he wouldn’t return the gesture. He was too austere, too serious, and far too busy for things like smiling. Lady Tremaine was almost sure Avery’s pants could catch fire and he would never let on, if he could possibly avoid it. That was just the sort of man he was.

“Good morning, Avery. Could you please have one of the boot boys take these coins down to those musicians on the corner? And have Daisy bring me my coffee.”

Avery narrowed his eyes at his lady but said nothing.

“Do you disapprove, Avery?” she asked, already knowing what he would say. They’d had several variations of this conversation before, and it was one of the chief reasons she felt Avery sometimes took her husband’s place. He, like her husband, was a man who preferred things done by the book. And ladies didn’t do things like send coins down to musicians who performed on corners.

“It is not for me to approve or disapprove, my lady,” he said, taking the coins from Lady Tremaine, and then adding, “Oh, and, my lady, Nanny Pinch was wondering if she could bring the girls to see you this morning rather than this afternoon.”

Lady Tremaine sighed. “Oh yes, they will be out shopping this afternoon, I forgot. Yes, yes, tell Nanny Pinch to bring them if she must. But, Avery, please wait to do so until after I’ve had my coffee. You’re probably the only person alive I can abide talking to before I’ve had my coffee,” she said, laughing.

“Yes, my lady,” he replied, and left the room. The lady laughed to herself again, wondering if she would ever get the man to crack a smile. It had become her personal mission, to make Avery smile.