set manager. My lady, if any time in

? I've never h

example, would manage your possessions in your stead, s

of letting anyone manage my assets. No one in this room at all

ut there are others f

the bottom of the career chain, if one is honest. But you are in luck Jodanham," Lucy said mildly, silencing the now sweati

oney involved, I'm sure a man such as yourself, can always do with more money. If you are interested, then leave y

e he was sweating in the rather airy room. Only once in his life was he ever as scared as he

rt that he would be seeking death by disobeying her. As if led by the chin, he walked over to the maid and left his address. Though he felt a relie

all talk before leaving for the night. Her maids followed her

ndered why the headmistress gave her three maids when all others had one. Clearly, a school such as this had people of more importance and status than she, especially amongst ignorant women; unless the criteria for importance were diff

ere?" asked

ckshire," Lucy answere

ger than nineteen stepped into the light. Light possessed his sa

ou called?"

y lady; Wa

alone,

my l

what she needed. Trusting anyone in this school is a stupid thing to do. Sh

u live

in the nea

ver something for me, Wal

la

you do so, then you shall be reward

hurriedly answered af

time and Walter stared into eyes reflected by light. Her

of my acts to any but those instructed to you or even dismiss my instructions, I will gift you death to take home for all of y

st nineteen years of age and before him, was a girl he was sure was just approachi

word," Walter

to the last window facing t

lady," Walter a

wrote down instructions. She retrieved the contact that Mr Jodanham had left with her maid and placed it on the two envelopes, each containing a letter. It did not tak

after he signs it, are you to give him the second. Do only as I have instructed. Retrieve the

answered from the oth

t is

ke my le

ddress and it was far into town, in the opposite direction of his village. He knew this job would ta

g cold, Walter felt eager to be done with his instructions. He had arrived at the said address, so he paused f

heard a shri

for Mr Jodanham,

er," the la

t. Though he had never met the man in question,

't waste my time, boy. Hand it

ct this and no one else. It is best you inform him of t

ou dirty thing in he

ou will lose this one if you don't inform him," Walter warned. To this,

ide. It took him a while to adjust to the light

twice before opening the door for Walter to enter. Walter stepped into another empty room; except for the books and documents scattered around

nt?" the man grumbled, complete

r. One look and he knew who it was from. He was clear about what she wanted from him. It was a contract; one that not only binds his present but his future as wel

said before he c

et your place and start giving me

, it was an order,"

r Jodanha

knew he had no place to tell the man what to do but, looking at him hesitate made Walter frown. He had met the lady, and he was sure of one thing; she was not giving the man

turned and left Mr Jodanham sta