Lord Petyr Baelish, or Littlefinger as he was known to his closest associates, was trying his best to indulge the visiting lord from a small yet significant town south of Kingswood, north of Summerhall and east of The Reach. The lord sat slouched in his chair. His hand held his head and he looked disinterested as he surveyed the women Littlefinger was parading in front of him, without much success.
Lord Salvael Musgood was an older man. He was aged five and a half decades. Short dark hair was evenly graying on his long head that was chiseled, but sagged slightly from age. His lips were thin, pink, and straight. A stern brow hung over eyes that were youthful, large and, slate blue. They brightened when he was happy, but turned gray when he was not. At the moment, they were neutral.
"Is she not sufficient enough? I can offer you two," Littlefinger offered as he clapped his hands. Another woman, from a string of women, stepped forward to stand next to the blonde in front of the lord.
"No, no," Salvael said as he waved off Littlefinger. "I'm not in the mood for women."
"Oh?" Littlefinger responded seeing the lord looking dismal. "I have remedies for that too. If you are having difficulty . . . ."
"I'm not having difficulty!" the man said sounding irritated. Sitting up in his chair and smoothing out his dark blue velvet jacket, Salvael looked over at the wine decanter.
"Then what troubles you, My Lord? You would be surprised at what I can obtain to cure what ails you," Littlefinger said pouring a goblet of wine, observing every move the lord made.
Salvael rolled his eyes then pressed his hand to his forehead. After a second or two, he sighed. Littlefinger handed the lord the goblet of wine. Salvael took a deep drink before he spoke again.
"If you must know, my servant died yesterday. He tripped, fell down the stairs, and broke his neck. I have no one to tend to me. My guards are rubbish at doing anything domestic," Salvael explained.
"That was your servant?" Littlefinger asked hearing about the man who had died tragically in a fall. Salvael nodded as he drank more wine.
"Cassabeth can do any domestic chore you need her to do," Littlefinger said as he ushered a dark haired beauty before Salvael.
"And what do I do when I leave this place? I can't take her with me. She belongs to you. I'm sure you are very lovely dear, but no thank you," the lord said as he set his goblet down on a side table near the chair he was sitting in. He stood up and addressed Littlefinger again. "Now, Lord Baelish, if you could procure me a permanent replacement for my previous servant, I would be forever grateful. Until then, I don't want to be late to dinner with the king, good day."
It had been put to Littlefinger to persuade Salvael to join the Lannister side of the raging war. Keeping him out of the company of any Baratheon was imperative. Finding the lord a new servant could put Littlefinger into the lord's good graces and open his ears to reason.
"Give me two days to obtain a group of prospects for you to choose a servant," Littlefinger suggested watching him walk to the door.
Salvael halted. Turning around, his tall sturdy build made him look like a giant next to one of the women he happened to be near. He considered Littlefinger, knowing the man was trying to keep him in King's Landing for longer.
"I'm only here another day and leave the following morning. I'll give you half a day," Salvael uttered.
"That's impossible," Littlefinger retorted. The lord shrugged and went to leave again. "If you want the best, I need at least two days."
The Lord chewed on his thumb as he decided. Two days would give the king more time to persuade him to support anyone associated with the Lannisters, despite his name being Baratheon. If he demanded the half day, he could end up with someone Littlefinger pulled out of Fleebottom. "One day. You bring me a line of possible servants to me at this time tomorrow in my chambers here."
Lord Baelish considered Lord Musgood. It gave him time to find better women, and if he found the perfect one, he wouldn't need more time for persuasion, only negotiation.
"All right. I need to know a few things before you take your leave, My Lord," Littlefinger said. Salvael gestured for him to continue. "Would you prefer a male or female servant?"
Salvael was intrigued with the question. He hadn't given it much thought, and now he was. The lord thought out loud for a moment. "My previous servant was male. I hired him when I was married to my wife. She has been gone five years now. Perhaps I should have a female servant this time. There are times I need a lady's opinion in my household. Make sure she is clean. I don't want scum off the street."
"I've already said I would get you the best, My Lord," Littlefinger said with a nod.
As Salvael left, Littlefinger noted that the Lord was gazing at a petite redhead that he had been standing beside. Other than the women he had offered, this was the first woman the lord truly noticed. Littlefinger grinned. Then he called for one of his male servants.
"Michael, I want you to follow Lord Musgood. You are only to observe. Do not approach him. I want to find out what sort of women he converses with, which ones make him happy," Littlefinger instructed.
"Yes, Lord Baelish," Michael said. Putting up his hood, he left to catch up with Salvael.