"How do you ignore being dismissed?"
"By continuing to show up until they cease arguing."
"That's..."
"Stubborn? Practical? Necessary?"
"I was going to say brave."
Mrs. Potter laughed. "Nothing brave about it. That boy needs tending, whether he admits it or not. And now you're here to do it properly."
"I'm here to clean."
"Of course you are." Mrs. Potter's tone suggested she didn't believe that for a moment. "Just cleaning. Nothing else."
"Nothing else."
"Which is why he's been hovering in the hallway for the past ten minutes, trying to work up the courage to come back in."
Clara's head snapped toward the door. Sure enough, she could see a shadow in the hallway.
"Gabriel?" she called. "You can come in. We're discussing your many flaws. You'll want to defend yourself."
He appeared in the doorway, glowering. "Mrs. Potter. You're trespassing."
"Your Grace," Mrs. Potter said with a curtsey that somehow managed to be sarcastic. "You're brooding."
"It's my house. I'll brood if I want to."
"Your mother would be ashamed."
"My mother would understand."
“Your mother would certainly give you a sound cuff and order you to abandon your self-pity.”
"My mother was understanding."
"Your mother was a force of nature who happened to wear pretty dresses."
Gabriel's mouth twitched. "That's... actually accurate."
"I am aware. I dressed her for many a year." Mrs. Potter picked up her basket. "I'll return Thursday."
"No, you won't."
"Thursday, with proper vegetables and something that isn't brandy."
"I like brandy."
"You like hiding. There's a difference."
"You're very focused on differences today."
"Someone has to be. You two are too focused on similarities."
With that cryptic comment, she swept out, leaving Gabriel and Clara alone in the now-spotless morning room.
"She's terrifying," Clara said.
