“Of course not, I—” Her words came in a rush but not fast enough.
“I shall have to sink deeper into your debt, my lady,” he said with finality.“Shall we begin at the beginning of next week?Some rest and I believe I will be ready.”
“As you wish, Mr.Mallet.Do we have a contract?”He could tell she didn’t know whether to believe him.Hope lurked in her eyes.
“Yes, my lady, I believe we do.”
“Shall I take my leave for today?”
“Please.”No demurring.“I will come to you when I am able.”
“No.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“No.No, you will not come to Helsington.It will be a long time before you can come with some frequency, and make no doubt, Mr.Mallet, I will require your assistance with frequency.I’ll arrange for my work to be transported here.Shall we say one week?”
The condition worried him, but he rapidly lost strength to protest.He would figure a way out when he recovered.
“Very well,” he said.“One week.But there is one more thing.”
He had her attention.
“Hire whomever you will, but under no circumstances do I wish to eat your cooking.It will increase my debt to you if you wouldn’t force me to do so.”
The raised chin appeared again.She was fierce, his Georgie.
“Very well, Mr.Mallet.Very well.I agree to your terms.”
