‘ there is a man to see you, your ladyship. he’s declined to give his name. ’

at the start of his tenure with lady desrosiers, thomas might’ve delivered such an announcement with an undertone of judgment, of moral superiority. he is, after all, an old dog learning new tricks  ---  it isn’t so easy as turning up with a promise to trust readily.

with time, his prudence turns to a feeling unsorted (protectiveness, personal care), friendlier, and he puts it to generous use under her employ.

he wants to say i don’t like the look of him, but offers, instead,  ‘ shall i tell him to call again later? ’

 he  wasn’t  the  type  to  flee  from  his  responsibilities  so  easily  .  he  wasn’t  one  to  flee  at  all  ,  really  ,  but  there  were  certain  circumstances  that  could  push  him  to  the  brink  and  sending  him  teetering  far  too  close  to  the  edge  for  his  liking  .  this  was  one  of  them  :  celestine  incessant  chattering  about  what  she  wanted  from  him  and  how  she  wanted  to  go  about  doing  it  had  him  tearing  at  his  hair  .  he  sat  now  at  his  desk  ,  head  rested  in  his  palm  and  nails  dug  into  his  scalp  ,  voice  right  with  frustration  ,  however  much  he  attempt  to  conceal  it  .            ❝      i  hope  you  don’t  mind  my  saying  this  ,  but  it  must  be  said  .  you  are  aware  that  what  you’re  asking  of  me  is  very  difficult  ,  aren’t  you  ?      ❞