“Leena!”

  The worried mother reaches for the arm of her suddenly outspoken daughter only to have her hand shrugged off. The meek girl holds her ground as she stares at her parent.

  “Be reasonable, mother! Do you really think we can disappear in some no-name village for the rest of our lives? What will we do with ourselves? Are you going to run a farm? Mend dresses? Teach children their letters?”

  The madame’s wrinkled nose fills her daughter with the enthusiasm of someone wholly convinced by their own beliefs. “Do you know what life is like beyond the cities? It is rough, it is dirty, and worst of all, it is dangerous.”

  “And being in these ruins is better?” She glances at me before turning back to her daughter, anger filling her tone. “Don’t be stupid! You’re spitting on Lady Tome’s mercy.”

  I briefly consider reassuring her that she has nothing more to fear from me, but I hold back, and not just because I doubt she’ll believe me. I know the look of someone taking a stand. Leena’s tense shoulders and narrowed eyes say she won’t be easily moved.

  “Can you keep a house?”

  “We can hire someone to do those things. I’m sure women everywhere wouldn’t mind a few extra crowns.”

  “And announce to everyone we are rich women with no ability to defend ourselves?”

  “We can buy protection. Leena, please.”

  “Who do you know that you trust to protect us for a measly salary and not kill us for our fortune? Where do we go to find such honorable men and women?”

  The madame frowns, but her displeasure can’t hide her confusion. Her daughter is asking very good questions. “We can figure all of that out.”

  “That’s what you always say. Mother, things don’t just figure themselves out. You make decisions and things happen. When you make bad or uninformed decisions, bad things happen.” Leena takes a deep breath, forcing her voice to soften, affecting a false calm. “We can’t go to some out of the way village. You would be miserable. My future would be cut short. But, more importantly, we couldn’t find the help we need. Sister…she isn’t well.”

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  That finally catches the mother’s attention. Madame Teppin straightens, jaw tightening as her eyes widen with fear. I can practically feel her struggle not to look at me. “What happened?”

  “Nothing. Do you remember her…state after she was healed?”

  “Yes. Your father said it was shock and she would recover with rest.”

  “She hasn’t. She can’t care for herself, mother. She’s going to need constant supervision. Constant. That means a bigger house and servants. That means security. We can’t afford to disappear.”

  How ironic.

  “Leena, darling, we can’t stay in this city.”

  “I think it’s the only city we can stay. So long as we have the right patron.” Unlike her mother, the daughter has no problem looking in my direction. “I’m currently employed by Lady Tome, helping her with the restoration of the city. While no one has been kind, I haven’t once felt threatened. Which, truly, is no different than how things were before.”

  She grabs her mother’s hands, big imploring eyes begging the older woman to see things in a new light. “Do you want to leave the city you’ve lived in your entire life? The city you raised your children in?”

  “Of course I don’t!” Madame Teppin yanks her hands free. “But how can we stay when…” Once more she cuts herself off, a vein in her face pulsing as she deliberately doesn’t turn her head. “You’re asking too much!”

  “And you don’t know what you’re asking. You should visit with Sister. There’s still some time before dinner.”

  “Your sister aside, I’ve made my decision. We’re leaving and that’s final!”

  “I’m not!”

  “Leena! If we must discuss this, we will do so later, in private.”

  Saints, this is starting to feel awkward. Time to make an exit; asking for it to be graceful is too much, I suspect. Both women turn to me as I stand, one with the poorly veiled hope that I will help her win the argument, the other with slightly better concealed fear that I’ve taken offense from her desperation. They’re both wrong.

  “It sounds like the two of you have a lot of catching up to do. Allow me to say, I think the city will be something special and there is a place for you here, if you want. I consider all debts settled. I hold no grudges against you, Madame Teppin, nor any member of your family. So long as you respect my authority over this territory and obey the laws, you have nothing to fear from me. I also understand your desire to leave. Rest assured, my offer to buy the estate remains. Inform me when you make your decision.”

  “Thank you, my lady.” Ah, but you don’t sound very grateful.

  “Thank you, my lady.” On the other hand, the daughter sounds quite energetic. I can imagine she intends to bludgeon her mother’s fear with my words. As if a little speech is enough to guarantee a noble has no ill intentions. Lucky for her, I meant them, but I hope she doesn’t use me as a standard to judge others. I don’t think she’s as na?ve as the appearance she gives off.

  Right on time, Earl arrives with food and drinks, sweet pastries and hot tea, the perfect accompaniment for conversation.

  “I’ll see you at dinner,” I say as I leave the room, inwardly wishing the strained family good luck. Given what I’ve seen, they’ll need each other. And I know from personal experience that nothing brings people together like a little hardship.