Carrick had been in his study, in the midst of another business meeting with Leo. The plans for setting up a new underground slave fighting ring were progressing, and they were in a discussion about weaponry when the vampire heard frantic knocking on the front door followed by the insistent jangling of a bell. He ignored it at first, knowing that one of his house servants would answer.
When his supernatural hearing picked up Russell's voice and the desperation that it held, however, he stood up. "Excuse me a moment, Leo. I think I'm going to have to deal with this."
He had no idea what could be the problem, but whatever it was, he meant to head it off in the hallway. He moved quickly downstairs and stopped dead in surprise when a flurry of snow burst through the door and his lover was framed against a haze of white, ice crystals in his long hair and his dark skin pale with cold.
"Russell... what's going on? That can't be snow, surely. In August?" he stepped quickly forwards, his normally cold eyes lit with a genuine concern. He lifted his hand briefly to cup Russ' cheek. "Gods, you're frozen through. Come in."
Carrick glanced to the housemaid who had opened the door. "Bring some towels. And a large glass of brandy."
His gaze eventually slid to Russell's slave, his usual coolness returning. "I bet you wish you could blow smoke and threaten to set me on fire again now, hmm?" He held the boy's gaze for a moment then nodded to his housemaid. "Two glasses."
The vampire's hand moved to the small of Russell's back as he guided his lover through to an informal living room.