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When her eyes traveled back up and reached his face, she saw that he had also been studying her like a speciave her an appreciative and approving nod

"I am newly e the stage for e? How very careless of you"

She glared at hih the look had terrified the reckless lads in the Natural History Museum where she had worked under her former professor, Mr Murdoch only continued to smirk

"You no doubt find my behavior uncouth," he said

"I would expect no better from a fareed with a shrug "And if you want my help, you should also refrain froet back to being a hernation, she retrieved her trunk and wheeled it into his workshop When she threw open the lid, he snorted "Novels Naturally People will come from miles to watch them lie there and lie"

"Things are not alhat they seenity and Discri him, she withdrew the still form within and whispered to it When the scarlet Monarch fluttered into the air to settle on his beard, Mr Murdoch chuckled, careful not to disturb it

"Touché," he said He held up a finger to the butterfly, and Madaratified at the childlike wonder in his eyes when it stepped daintily onto his fingertip

"I have detailed sketches of the required equip you will be li a sheath of papers froes, thea proscenium arch There will be aerial acrobatics, a brass band in th I will also require long filaold?"

"Leashes"

"Naturally"

He placed the butterfly on top of his head and took the plans froh the the it to her

As he turned back to his worktable, she spluttered, "What do you mean, no? Master Stain did not anticipate any issues He assuredI understand that you prefer your privacy, and I am happy to respect that, but, honestly"

He spun on the stool to watch her, head cocked and pencil in hand The Monarch’s scarlet wings flapped slowly, gently, against his golden hair

"Honestly, Madahtly than she meant to

"I need this job, Mr Murdoch It is veritably the only thing standing between me and destitution, possibly even death And without this equipment, I will be unable to perform"

He nodded and turned to his table As he sketched, she dashed away a traitorous tear and turned to go

"You misunderstood me," he said conversationally She stopped, one hand on her trunk’s handle "I was not saying no to you I was saying no to these plans"