Florence's thoughtful, blue eyes remained on Ryan's face as he spoke. She could tell something was off and had a good guess as to what, but she was not quite as skilled at reading people as Nicholas, so her suspicion remained that at first.<br/><br/>The Master spoke in a rather warm tone to call Atticus to him. She heard the bodyguard moving again, making his way around Nicholas to Ryan, and her eyes followed him once he came into view.<em>'There is risk in this...'</em>came the nagging voice.<em>'A guard will certainly know the scars on your body aren't scars a gentle lady would acquire.. A whore likely would as well by the nature and place of them, but a bodyguard... Certainly..'</em>A silent sigh slid past her lips, indicated only by the slow sinking of her chest.<em>'Everyone has secrets though. Don't close yourself off to this.. Besides, if he models with you he might just consider sparring with you..'</em><br/><br/>Master Ryan continued as Atticus reached his side, explaining that prices would be raised for what Nicholas was asking.. Both in gaining Atticus' time as a model and in gaining two whores at one time.<em>'So by that to have Atticus and the whore I liked - assuming he's a whore... And assuming Nicholas can work with him - could be as much as... six or seven times the normal price. Maybe more if the Master decides to press the matter...'</em>Florence's eyes turned on Nicholas again, one golden brow raised in question. She knew the man was well-moneyed, well-moneyed beyond reason really. She doubted at times that he had any idea what it was like to rely on another anymore. Not since becoming such a well-renowned artist at the least. She, however, was relatively pragmatic when it came to spending money, and so Nicholas' freedom with it was always a bit of a surprise to her.<br/><br/>Nicholas spoke then, letting his charming grin flash more than once as he explained his manners and apologized, trying to clear the air. This made Florence certain she had detected something 'off' with Master Ryan's attitude earlier, and she took Nicholas at his word when he said he'd offended the man. He spoke of the costs as he was weighing them, but must have found Atticus worth the potential price, as it were, because he finally concluded with, "I think it best that Florence speak for the rest of this, she has much more demure manners then I."<br/><br/>Florence found amusement in his last statement, for yes, she did have better manners, but who could fault an artist for being passionate in their work? She also knew now that the man was willing to spend a small fortune here to get what he wanted... And while the ease of it was as surprising to the woman as the lavish gifts he'd been doting upon her, that he was so inclined to pursue his desires was only expected. A very faint shake of her head moved her blond curls into a gentle sway.<br/><br/>As her gaze was turning from Nicholas back toward Ryan and Atticus the bodyguard offered a bow and said, "I think only of my duties to the House. There would be no guarantees that we would be uninterrupted."<br/><br/>The blond inclined her head in turn, calling on her charm and easy manner as she swept the haunting memories and plaguing mannerisms she had learned from her profession out of her mind for the time being, "Goodness. Well if anyone can attest to the truth of Sir Nicholas' words, it is I, Master Valentine." She shifted in her seat so that she now faced him completely. "The reputation of the Teahouse is what drew us to it. Really this was my idea, coming here, because Sir Nicholas so often complains of the discomfort men exhibit in taking their clothes off for other men, be it for art or otherwise. I suppose he could have put emphasis on the fact that those who agreed to the posing would have been doing so in my company at times, but he did not wish to tarnish my reputation." Her hand slipped out with her last statement to take Nicholas' affectionately. He was, after all, protecting her reputation. She switched modes so quickly that even she couldn't really find a seam as she went from the quiet observer to the point speaker.<br/><br/>"Now, I was suggested to come here by Lord Bonham. I must confess," and here her cheeks colored an appropriate shade of pink, "that his reasons for suggesting this establishment had nothing at all to do with Nicholas, but more with my own.. More carnal desires." A blend of modesty and candor had become Florence's normal disposition some time before and she saw no reason to hide her purpose in coming here. "If Sir Nicholas says he wishes Atticus to pose and nothing more, he's being completely honest about the matter. Sometimes the man is so absorbed in his paintings that he can't be pulled from them by anything less than direct, physical contact," and now there was a smirk on her lips and a playful gleam in her pretty eyes.<br/><br/>"I - while I won't deny Atticus is attractive - think I've already seen the man whose time I wish to enjoy, assuming he's to Nicholas' tastes for painting as well. He was accompanying a copper-haired lady when we were still gathered by the entryway. Perhaps you took note of them as we left to come here?" She thought of continuing right into the matter of money, but it seemed appropriate to let Ryan have a chance to answer her question. Asides that, she would get her best gauge of his reaction to her 'charms' when he had a chance to speak and as an added bonus, she might get the name of the man she had seen downstairs.