Page 76 of Tangwystle
“I have every right to bring this to the council!” Rufus roared. His gaze snapped toward Gretel, who remained crumpled on the ground. “Both of you. They might not judge you for being a whore”—the words came with venom—“but they will for your failure to abide by your contract. You have not worked for your wages!”
People backed away when Rufus swung his head around, his dark, beady eyes searching for something.
“I will have an arrest made this very night!”
My mouth dropped open, and with one hand still on Gretel, I felt her sharp inhale of breath.
It was possibly this response from us, our fear so starkly laid out, that had Baz swirling in darkness.
“You think the law favors you?” Baz said, and I have no idea what possessed him to say such a thing. Of course, the law was on Rufus’s side. “You were hardly an honorable employer!”
“Says the man balls deep into the whore!” Spit flew from Rufus’s lips as people pressed back. “Where is the law?”
The man looked around as if he expected someone to rush forward with shackles immediately.
“Surely,” another gentleman said, stepping forward. He’d visited Blackwell Manor several times. He always wore a pocket watch, and his black hair was streaked with thick waves of gray. “This not need become such a debacle.”
Rufus scoffed. “Take his side then, if you think this devil to be deserving of your loyalty. Stars knows you’ve never hidden your disdain of me.”
“This is not about taking sides,” the man said. He cast an eye around the room. “But perhaps we take this behind closed doors.”
“Oh, yes, you and your back door deals,” Rufus spat. “No. I’ve been disrespected enough. By both of them!”
Violence lined the last few words, his hard eyes flashing at Gretel, who trembled.
The man noticed this. Almost everyone noticed it.
The audience had tried to stay out of Rufus’s firing line, but they pressed toward Gretel. Who was this gorgeous creature the men fought over? It clearly wasn’t her abilities as a housekeeper that attracted the notice of two such established gentlemen.
“Clinemell it is late,” the man who decided he’d referee the argument stated. “Bring this before the Council as is your right. But let’s have some manners. Come now, off the floor.” Hebeckoned gently to Gretel, making himself into some sort of grandfatherly figure.
Baz didn’t move, but I felt his stare. His muscles were so tight I thought he’d snap and break. His pretty blue eyes were nearly black as he watched us rise from the floor.
I still wore my mask, and many probably had no idea who I was. But I stayed close to Gretel, my hands wrapping around her arm. I’m not sure if I actually helped her stand or if it was the other way around.
“She ran out on her wages,” Rufus declared. “I will press charges for her insolence. And Coldwell knew it when he hired her.”
“Perhaps he didn’t hire her,” the other man said.
“Perhaps he didn’t hire her?” Rufus mockingly replied. “No, I suppose he didn’t hire her. The whore is known to open her legs for anyone.”
“Watch your mouth!” Baz shouted.
“He knew my servant had run out on her contract,” Rufus said. “At the very least he allowed her refuge instead of reporting her to the law. As such I will be compensated.”
Compensated. Gretel was a mere financial transaction for him. She’d be placed in jail while Baz would only have to hand over a few coins.
“Let this be dealt with tomorrow at the Council,” the nameless man said. “We can convene early. But might I suggest. . .”
“The girl goes to jail tonight!” Rufus yelled.
“There has been no proof that she ran out on her contract,” Baz said with a clenched jaw.
Rufus began to shake. “Is my word not enough?”
A poignant pause leveled the room.
It was during this moment that Rufus spotted me. He’d barely taken note when I sat by Gretel on the floor.
