So, Thatcher had earned her reputation as a woman you didn't mess with. It made sense, Zhi supposed, that Clove had clung to her as tight as any louse. Though Thatcher's statement about where Zhi's pay was coming from surprised her enough for her eyebrows to wing upwards, Clove had merely bowed over the table in mute acceptance. Gods above, would he really just take it like that?
"Yes, Mistress Thatcher," he murmured.
He would. Appalling and gratifying to see a pretty man brought low with just a few words. She coughed, hiding the rising bubble of laughter with solemnity, and looked back at Thatcher.
"Whoremasters're th'most exactin', an' they'll chase ye further'n a taxman should ye cheat 'em. That's what's said." Zhi dipped her head low in respect, though she didn't bow as Clove was wont to. When she lifted her head, she looked Thatcher in the eyes. "Yer warnin's been heard, and heeded. How often ye be wantin' a report? So long as I'm not needin' t'play parts, I can fill ye in daily, or not until the job's done. Makes no difference t'me. In any case, ye'll hear from me if there's any problems along th'way."
"Yes, Mistress Thatcher," he murmured.
He would. Appalling and gratifying to see a pretty man brought low with just a few words. She coughed, hiding the rising bubble of laughter with solemnity, and looked back at Thatcher.
"Whoremasters're th'most exactin', an' they'll chase ye further'n a taxman should ye cheat 'em. That's what's said." Zhi dipped her head low in respect, though she didn't bow as Clove was wont to. When she lifted her head, she looked Thatcher in the eyes. "Yer warnin's been heard, and heeded. How often ye be wantin' a report? So long as I'm not needin' t'play parts, I can fill ye in daily, or not until the job's done. Makes no difference t'me. In any case, ye'll hear from me if there's any problems along th'way."
