Rochester draw a bath for him in the morning, after breakfast. Mr. Rochester had returned to his formal and unfriendly role as valet, which made breakfast very stiff, unpleasant and largely devoted to discussing preparations for Lady Mathilda Loxley’s visit that afternoon. Feeling a bit sour about the incident in the study, Lord Loxley sat by the window with a book and watched with satisfaction as Mr. Rochester carried buckets back and forth from the kitchens. The houseman, Mr. Egby, provided assistance in this matter, but he only carried one bucket to each of Mr. Rochester’s two. Mr. Rochester made no comment as to the arduous nature of the task, and never once glanced over toward Lord Loxley watching from the windowsill. The kiss and the intimate encounter that they’d shared in the study had changed little in their relationship. If anything, Lord Loxley suspected that things were rather worse due to his own vulnerable resentment and Mr.
