| His eyebrows were cynically risen, and he clumsily poured himself another drink. “ Of course, if they’re not of the designated profession, some girls do take considerable exception to the notion of being paid for their good favor. ” He downed the contents of his glass in one swallow, giving a shrug “ But, considering the monetary requirements of their marriage arrangements, I myself fail to see the great difference. Expect they’re selling themselves either way. Why not make a little extra? ”
“ touché, my dear cousin. ”
his voice was a bit dry, but——sincere, at least so far as he gave the impression he was capable of being, and very amiable.
meanwhile, he’d gone to work on his stock, it seemed, in some attempt to loosen the damned thing up.
“ though, i s’pose i should rather prefer not to pay them m’self. ”
his eyebrows had lifted up a little ways, and he went on tugging at his neckcloth——appearing to contemplate this at some length while he did.
“ not that i should want to put any of ‘em out of work, but——well, one does find it rather depressing, doesn’t one? ”
when he’d successfully unraveled the wretched thing, he let it lie hanging loosely about his shoulders——apparently with no intention of doing anything about it.
“ paying for it, i mean. ”
he sniffed a bit, then took a sip of his wine, and, at last, turned his attentions to the boy standing beside him.
“ i mean, god’s life, half the fun’s in the chasing! ”
his tone here had adopted a hint of the moderately incredulous.
“ which isn’t to say you couldn’t likely buy that too if you’d the mind, but——damn it, you’d always know better. ”
he rubbed at his chin, staring off again, seeming thoughtful——a bit troubled by this, even.
“ no, i expect i wouldn’t enjoy that half as much. ”
