"You're dismissed," he said abruptly.
Both Clara and Thomas looked at him in surprise.
"Your Grace?" Thomas said.
"Dismissed. Leave now."
"Gabriel!" Clara protested.
"His voice is irritating."
"His voice is perfectly normal!"
"It's too... cheerful."
Thomas looked between them, confusion evident. "Should I…"
"You should leave," Gabriel said coldly. "Now."
After the bewildered footman left, Clara rounded on Gabriel. “Whatever is the matter with you?”
“I am afraid I entertained a pronounced antipathy toward his person.”
“You do not have a liking for many people.”
"I especially didn't like him."
"Why?"
Because he looked at you. Because you smiled at him. Because I wanted to tear his throat out for existing in the same room as you.
"His shoes were too shiny," Gabriel said.
"His shoes?"
"Suspiciously shiny. Can't trust a man with shoes that shiny."
"That's the most ridiculous thing you've ever said."
"I've said many ridiculous things. That doesn't even rank in the top ten."
"Name one thing more ridiculous."
"Tuesday's cancellation."
"That was Edmund's example."
"Fine. The time I said I didn't need you."
The words hung between them, heavier than Gabriel had intended.
Clara's breath caught. "Gabriel…"
"Next candidate."
"That was the last one for today."
"Excellent!"
