"No."
"No? What do you mean, no?"
"It's a simple word. Two letters. Indicates negation or refusal."
"You can't just say no to your duties!"
"I just did."
"Your father …”
“He would be deceased. My father would be gone from this life, for he is, most assuredly, no longer among the living.”
"How dare you…"
"How dare I what? State facts? Refuse to live the life he planned for me? Disappoint yet another person who believes they have the right to dictate my choices?"
Clara decided this was escalating beyond entertainment into something genuinely unpleasant. She stepped into view.
"Your Grace," she said calmly. "Shall I prepare tea for your guests?"
All three heads swiveled toward her. Edmund looked relieved. Gabriel looked grateful. Lady Agatha looked like she'd swallowed a lemon.
"You," Lady Agatha said, advancing on Clara like a purple silk battleship. "You're the one. The fortune hunter who's seduced my nephew."
"I'm the housekeeper," Clara said mildly.
"Housekeepers don't look like you."
"I wasn't aware there was a specific appearance requirement."
"Don't be smart with me, girl."
"I wouldn't dream of it. Would you like tea?"
"What I'd like is for you to leave this house immediately."
"That's not your decision," Gabriel said, stepping between them.
"Gabriel…"
"Miss Whitfield is my employee. She performs her duties admirably. I shall discuss this no further.”
"Duties," Lady Agatha said, loading the word with enough innuendo to sink a ship. "I'm sure she does."
"Careful," Gabriel's voice had gone very quiet. "You're insulting a lady in my home."
"A lady? She's a servant!"
"She's a person deserving of respect."
"She's a nobody who's taking advantage of your grief and isolation!"
"The only person taking advantage here is you, showing up uninvited to harangue me about duties you have no authority to enforce."
"I'm trying to save you from yourself!"
"I don't need saving."
