Chapter 17 - (4)

Walter made his way into town. He would have loved to avoid the noise of town by taking another route, but this was the only way to the academy where he worked. Though it was still morning and his shift was for quarter day, Walter wanted to make his way to work early. He hoped to finish on time so that he could await instructions. Though he understood that he had delved far into this world and he would never be able to get out of it, he was still calm. Better yet, he felt alive and fulfilled. He rode through the lower town when he heard someone stop him.

"Halt!" he felt himself stiffen at the sound of that stern voice. He looked back to find a well dressed man riding towards him. Though this man dressed well, he was still too far from a person of nobility or gentry.

Walter raised a brow unconsciously. Now he knew, there was no way this was a man to be cautious of, he felt his calm return.

"My lady requests an audience." the man said. Walter felt his brow rise higher. Who? As far as he knew, Her Ladyship was still in the academy. He nodded to the man and rode over. Dismounting his horse, he walked to the coach window. Before he could offer a greeting, the door opened.

"Come in." the soft voice inside said. Now, he was suspicious. He remembered the small knife in his trousers and tensed as he entered the coach. The sunlight streaming from the window illuminated a lady dressed in an eye scratching colour. Her face was caked in make-up and her raven hair overly crafted and set with hair pins. Still, he could see her round face complemented by her almond shaped eyes. He was sure she had some what of a linage with people with slit eyes, when he saw her white skin and slender form. Though she was over dressed, her beauty was undeniable. Walter had seen this lady before; she was Lady Steinhouse. He sat silently, waiting for her to break the ice.

"You refuse to acknowledge me the last times we met and even now that I sit beside you ?" she asked.

"You did the inviting, should you not acknowledge me?" Walter asked and she giggled.

"Are you going to tell me why I'm here?" Walter asked.

"The Mclears have lost their entire fortune." she said. Only then did Walter directly look at her. He raised a brow.

"Why are you telling me this?" he asked.

"I just wanted to confirm something. You hide well." she giggled. "It matters not. Seeing as you and the two lords were acquainted, I assume, you all work for Lady Wickshire." she said and Walter frowned.

"Oh, worry not. I'm not one of those aloof women strolling through society. I have known for some time that the Lord of Merve and Lord Morge worked for the lady."

"If you know, then why this conversation?" Walter's frown did not disperse. She pouted at his expression.

"Am I not interesting to talk to?" she asked, yet Walter just stared at her.

"I just assumed, that is what you all did last night when you were away, given that today, the Mclears have lost it all. After all, it was no secret that the Mclears were openly against Lady Wickshire."

"So, what do you want?" Walter went straight to the point.

"Boys should be less serious. I don't want anything, I just have information to share." she said.

"What do you get out of it?" Walter asked.

"My reward is what you do with it. The Mclears are looking for a man named Barney. They heard, he had given a mysterious man information about the Townsdale land." she noticed the glint in Walter's eyes when she said so, and smiled.

"Worry less, boy. I had ordered the ministry of justice to take him before the Mclears do. They have him. The magistrate there is loyal to me; he will not release this man. You can meet him if you want. I can take you now if you want." she offered.

"Too bright." Walter countered.

"Night then?" she asked. Walter stared her down, till her cheeks turned red.

"Why are you blushing?" Walter asked flatly.

"Don't you know you should not stare at people like that, boy?" she tried to suppress the redness in her face.

"Don't call me a boy. It's irritating." he said and she giggled.

"Boys want to be men before beautiful women." she teased the blank faced Walter. Walter stared her down a few seconds before he closed in on her face. She saw how close he was and she stiffened and reddened further.

"Too much make up, loud dress, strong perfume..... Not interested." he said and withdrew.

"I'll be at the ministry's back door at midnight." he said before leaving the coach.

Lady Steinhouse remained in her stiff position long after he left. The coachman called to her from outside, worried something may have happened to her.

"Let's keep going." she finally said, adjusting her cloth as though she had just had a rendezvous with a man in the dark of night. She scolded her actions as the coach began to move.