The ride back was a dusty one, the sun was high and the wind blew from the south. A dry heat. The forest near the estate would provide some protection from the heat. The small cask of ale would help quench the heat also. He rode with the map in his hand, humming to himself. Finn had sold him the map and he was proud to have it in his hands. The terms he would worry about later. 

When he arrived back at dinner time, he was met at the gate by the steward with a summons to the main house. The matron wanted an explanation about the rumors she had heard from the maids of a strange woman roaming the estate and why he left in the middle of the night. 
"Is this some sort of torrid affair?" the matron demanded. 
Robert set the cask down and sat on it. 
"Really!" he said with a lot of air continuing, "Isn't that a fine, hello." 
"Yes, I'm safe and it was a good ride to town and back. It looks like there is a group of coyotes on the edge of the wood so we may need to organize a hunt before fall," he said. 
The matron slammed her hand down on the table and asked, "Is there a woman staying in your labs?"
"Technically, no human female," he replied. 
She reddened. 
"I've been told that a woman has been all over the estate wearing your shirt," she said with anger, "Who is she?"

Robert leaned back and said, "I did not give any of my clothing to a woman to wear." 
"What did she look like?" he asked.
She gave the best description she could, which could have been anyone.
"It sounds almost like Abigale, the wash girl," he said, "You know she has liked me since she was a little girl." 
He continued, "If there is a woman in my apartments, then I will go find her and I'll invite her to dinner. You can interrogate her yourself. I would recommend serving the lamb, with a garden salad, fresh bread, and the cherry wine from two summer's ago. And of course, cook's berry tarts for desert!"

He stood up and said, "If you excuse me, will go see if I can find this woman." He snapped the map in his hand then headed out. 

He headed to his apartment to inform Wren that she was invited to dine in the big house tonight.  
[@AmberTheAlbedo]