Lucy Wickshire 21 Chapter Three 8

Night descended quickly. As Walter had expected, it was as Lady Steinhouse had told him. The man he had bought the diamonds from had been taken away by the magistrate. Night was the best time to have this settled. He had asked around and discovered how the city guards had pressured the magistrate to release him into their custody, but the ministry claimed the magistrate had gone out of the city for work and they can not release anyone without a signature. Walter felt he could probably bet on his life that the magistrate was surely in the ministry. He was told to not approach the Lady Wicks.h.i.+re for a while. Even though he was sure no one knew of his existence to trace it back to the lady, he still obeyed orders.

He made his way into town and then into the city. Just like agreed, he was behind the entrance to the ministry. Waiting for him with guards, was the same man he had seen in the morning. One look and he recognized this man was one of Lady Steinhouse's people. The man made not a sound nor asked any question. He recognized Walter and made way for him. Taking the lead, he led Walter to a small sitting room. There, waited the Lady Steinhouse, who waved away the butler. He paused to take in her attire. She seemed to have removed her make up, but her perfume was still strong and her hair was braided in a complicated weave.

The lady noticed him pause for a moment and noted his facial expression. She had totally forgotten about him as she handled things for the king all day. Only when she was in the ministry and recalled the time, did she ask for a servant to bring her a wet towel. She found herself cleaning off her make up and adjusting her dress. Though she had scolded her actions, the deed was done. She waited with an antic.i.p.ation she could not understand. Yet now, seeing the blank look on his face, she was to her surprise, completely disappointed. Suppressing her frown, she forced a smile.

"You're on time." she said.

"Do you still have him?" Walter asked sitting down.

"Yes. How do you intend to deal with him?" she asked out of curiosity. In truth, she had not truly decided what best be done about the man in custody. She considered having him sold away to a foreign country but thought of all the work that had to be done to sneak him out of the city under the nose of the Mclears. She waited expectantly at the boy before her.

"Can you have a rope prepared?" he asked.

"Why?" she frowned at his request.

"Is it possible?" Walter asked.

"Of course." she called for a servant and relayed his instructions.

"Is it possible to ask something of you?" she said after a moment of silence. Walter took in her demure and frowned. She was fiddling with her thumbs and carried an unsure and, Walter could almost swear, a shy look on her face.

"What?" he asked, feeling a headache coming.

"There are some people I would like to find. I would like to know their work, secrets, family, every thing." she said. Seeing the look on his face, she tried to explain.

"I need something on them. Something that would make them listen."

"I'm guessing this is the price for helping me with this man." he said.

"I can not think of a better way for you to repay my kindness." she tried to look resolute.

"I had thought you wanted to help me deal with this because, you wanted to be part of the Lady Wicks.h.i.+re's inner circle. I guess something must have come up." Walter smirked at her att.i.tude.

"I just need some people to do as told, that is all."

"If you can hold what is important, they will do as told. And of course it depends on if you have the power to demand to be obeyed."

"Oh, when they stand before their judge, they will obey." she smiled slyly.

"Who do you want dirt on?" Walter asked.

"The minister of finance." she said. Walter's pupil shrunk visibly. He almost laughed at himself. Had he taken on this role so well, that one actually thought he, the boy from the stables, could deal with the minister of finance? He almost burst out in laughter at her request. Who did she think he was? She had said she was not like other aloof ladies of society, yet here she was; requesting such foolishness. He was about to refuse when her next words froze him in place.

"I want to go on the attack. I have dug out a lot about the people in the ministry of finance but, nothing on the minister. I just need you to take a look and help out. I just want you on my side." she said.

Walter finally realized what was happening. She was probably doing something unreasonable and she needed the a.s.surance that she will not be crossing Lady Wicks.h.i.+re. If she will be acting with Lady Wicks.h.i.+re as her backing, she could be a little bolder. Her standing will be firmer. Only then did it occur to him, that he was to her, Lady Wicks.h.i.+re's proxy. If he said plain out that such a thing was beyond him, won't he be saying the Lady Wicks.h.i.+re is not capable of accomplis.h.i.+ng such feats.

Remembering the face of the lady, he almost sneered at the thought. Was there something she could not accomplish? Still, it only mattered if she wished it happen. He maintained his silence. But his mind was much calmer. The servant returned with a rope. He took it and got up.

"Show me the man." he said. She stared at the boy for a few seconds before leading way.

"This way"