Page 81 of The Curious Story of the Missing Lady
Garret narrowed his eyes and looked her over from tip to toe, all too aware of how this particular girl made her living.
“Nice to make your acquaintance,” he said.
“Likewise, M’Lord,” she said with an unpracticed curtsey.
“Right,” said Elizabeth, “let’s get down to it. We are going to pay you handsomely for your task. Understood?”
“Yes, M’Lady.”
“And you’ll do the job thoroughly and without complaint. Mr Garret here has killed men and women alike, and he does not make any difference between the two.” She leaned in, causing the girl to recoil slightly. “And he’s not above prolonging the act. Do not shrink away from me, you wretched nit. As much as I’m paying you, I expect a bit of upright attitude for my trouble. I could have just left you in that publick house to your sinful business. Well, God will have His judgement on you, no doubt, so there’s no use for my driving that point home. But I chose you at a whim and can cast you right back into the viper’s pit if I choose.”
“Yes, M’Lady,” the girl said.
“Are you hungry?” said Garret.
“Yes, sir,” said Selena.
Lady Elizabeth cast him a poisoned glance.
“Come inside, then,” said Garret.
He walked into the house with Selena and Elizabeth on his heels.
“Don’t think we’re so hospitable as to overlook the fact that you’re not worthy of entering our home,” said Elizabeth.
“No, M’Lady, I don’t think that at all.”
“Right, because the truth is we have some extra food and we like not to feed it to the creatures of the woods.”
“Yes, M’Lady.”
Garret slid a plate with some bread and butter across, along with a sack of coins.
“This is for the services rendered,” he said. “A partial payment. It ain’t enough to get you a decent night’s sleep, so you’ll have to accomplish the task in full to get the rest.”
“Understood, M’Lord.”
“And I ain’t a lord,” he said.
Selena looked to him and back to Lady Elizabeth.
“’Tis true,” Elizabeth said impatiently, “butI ama lady and proud of it.”
“Yes, M’Lady.”
“Do you have any questions?” said Garret.
“I do, sir. Just one.”
“Well, out with it, then,” said Lady Elizabeth. “Do you think Mr Garret and I have all the time in the world to stand here watching you stuff your gob, waiting for you to speak?”
The girl chewed and swallowed quickly. “Just one thing, sir, M’Lady: when do I begin?”
Elizabeth looked at Garret and then back at the girl. “Why, you begin immediately. Right this very minute, as a matter of fact.”
This caused the girl’s eyes to widen, and she picked up the remainder of the bread and stuffed it into her mouth all at once, then rose from the table.
“Thank you, sir,” she said around the bread.
