Malcolm, released from the temporary confinement of the bedroom, pads through the sitting room and into the dining room.  He sinks into a chair, tugging the comforter tighter round his shoulders.  He picks up a blue china teacup, staring at the tea instead of across the table.
   "Montegomery fries a beautiful egg," Asher says, smiling over the table at Malcolm.
   "I'm sure," Malcolm mumbles.
   "You look wonderful in that purple silk."
   Malcolm looks at his cuff; the cuff of a set of Asher's purple silk pajamas.  "Your valet handed it to me."
   "He has very good judgement when it comes to clothes."  Asher tilts his head.  "You've gone thundery."
   "You should have told me Montegomery knows.  I was terrified."
   Asher gives Malcolm a sympathetic look.  "I'm sorry.  I thought you were asleep."
   Malcolm shakes his head into his tea, and says nothing.
   Montegomery breaks the silence by sidling in with a tray: fried eggs, toast, jam, butter, orange juice, and fresh tea.
   "Thank you," Asher smiles.
   "Quite welcome, sir."  Montegomery bows slightly to his employer, and turns to Malcolm.  "Mr Hamilton likes a light breakfast, but if you would like, sir, I can cook something more for you."
   "No," Malcolm shakes his head again, "thank you."
   "Very good, sir."  Montegomery quirks an eyebrow at Asher before retiring to the kitchen.
   Malcolm sips his tea, sullenly ignoring the food.
   Asher carefully places his teaspoon on the tablecloth and stares across the table.  "Malcolm, wÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿï=ÿÿÿÿ  ÷^÷^  ÿÿ÷^  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿï=ÿÿÿÿÿ    ÿÿÿ÷^  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿï=ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ÷^  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿï=ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ÷^  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿï=÷^÷^÷^÷^÷^÷^÷^÷^÷^÷^÷^  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ          ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ                          ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿ  ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ

--

::whimpers::  How did *that* happen?  It was Asher explaining to Malcolm who Harold Baston is, that Asher spent time with him in Cannes and Harold was angry now that Asher is no longer interested...  mehhh.  Eventually he placates Malcolm.  I'll have to rewrite it some day...  bah...