Mister Ray chewed on his lip as Lord McMillan’s eyes rested on him for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, the heavy silence was broken. “Well, Mister Ray. I believe you were continuing my daughter’s education?”<br/><br/>Ray nodded fervently. “Yes, sir, I was.” Ray wasn’t one to have<span style="font-style: italic">relations</span>with<span style="font-style: italic">students!</span><span style="font-style: italic">Preposterous!</span><br/><br/>”I would like you to take more time to the eldest one, since I intend to find her a suitor<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">very soon.</span></span>Good day, Mister Ray. I shall now talk to my daughters.”<br/><br/>The emphasis on “very soon” did not escape Mister Ray – but it did bother him. He disliked the implications Lord McMillan may have been suggesting. He repressed an urge to squirm uneasily. Ray didn’t doubt that Lord McMillan would have him butchered if he so much as touched Miss McMillan.  “Very well, sir. Good day, Lord McMillan.” Then the man departed – and Ray released a breath that he hadn’t realized he was holding.<br/><br/>Mister Ray kneaded at his temples; a painful knot was twisting within his unsettled brain. More time with the frustrating yet fascinating girl to teach her things she probably didn’t care to learn. Well, that was his job, after all. But now it seemed he had her father thinking he had ulterior motives. But perhaps not; the man was a challenge to read. The tutor's thoughts sparked and buzzed and raced in his unease, and he could not quell them. Ray paced about his quarters, reorganizing already immaculate belongings. He evened the drapes, straightened his chair, prepared his clothes for tomorrow, re-fluffed his pillow, and more, and this mindless, automated frenzy went on for the better part of an hour.<br/><br/>Finally, the tension in his body and mind eased, and a fatigue crept over Mister Ray. He wearily selected a book at random and settled down in his bed, with the intention of reading until he descended into sleep, even if for only a short nap.