"I'm just a simple footman Christine," he explained gently. His voice not sounding harsh or mean but, instead, gentle and lulling. "My job is to follow the orders of the guests to their complete satisfaction if given the right circumstances. I am just doing my job to the best of my abilities. Like your and Annalisa's job is to be good girls for the guests."<br/><br/>His handsome features, that were set in a cold fashion, had softened when the girl pointed out Marcus spilled wine all over Annalisa on purpose. He was glad someone else saw it but couldn't say anything about it. Again.<br/><br/>Louis turned his head to see if Annalisa was fine. She seemed to be. Wincing every once and a while as she sat on her bottom but alright as she finally got her breathe back and stayed out of the sights of the others. Smart girl. He caught her eye and inclined his head a bit, showing some shame for what he had done. She smiled back sadly in return, waving her hand casually to show she was kind of fine now.<br/><br/>He sighed, shaking his head as he turned his attentions back the slave before him. A pretty, proud thing with a fiery spirit that matched her hair. He would hate to see such lovely potential under all of that go to the dogs... for real. He winced at the thought, those rumors were horrid things, and decided that he might as well try to defuse this.<br/><br/>"I am not interested in punishing you Christine, even if you're meddlesome thing," he said to her honestly. "You've spoken out of place, yes, but said silly things like that all the time so it's no surprise anymore to us. Please, just back down and stop this now before I actually have to enforce my duties on you."<br/><br/>He fixed himself, trying to ignore his throbbing erection from punishing his own sibling. He felt disgusted with himself for thinking that but all he could remember now was her lovely screams. He fiddled with his copper locket, looking at the girl for an answer.<br/><br/>He gave out a cry of surprise when Marcus suddenly pushed him aside to get to Christine. He fell flat on his back, looking up to see the man push Christine and pull a knife out of nowhere. A knife on one of the slaves.<br/><br/>Good God. He should have stayed as a tailor's apprentice.<br/><br/>Heart racing, her scrambled up to his feet and quickly grabbed the arms of Marcus and wrenched him apart from the slave. He pulled Marcus back with little strength, having been trained to do this. He tightened his grip on where Marcus was holding the crop, making him let go of it along with the knife with a clatter.<br/><br/>He breathed hard, his heart beat fast. He was just so angry now and this wasn't helping. Marcus was a bastard, he just knew it. His fingers twitched as he held on to the man. The man needed to suffer. Yes. Suffer. He saw the knife and had an urge to go pick it up and...<br/><br/>Louis looked to where Annalisa was... or was earlier, as she had run over to where Christine was. Helping her out and trying to help her cover up her body. He felt his anger wash away just like that when he saw his sister ignore her anger to focus to help someone. And she was a just a little girl.<br/><br/>"Sir," he said in a controlled, cool voice. "I will<em>not</em>tolerate you in trying to use my Lord's son's slave like that as if she belonged to you. It has been very clear that she belonged to Master Alastair and no one else. If you cannot control yourself around these young women, I believe I should recommend to my Lord and Lady that you should not return here anymore."<br/><br/>He looked at Marcus in the eye, smiling a thin, impatient smile. "I do not mean to be rude but I am just a simple footman. Which means I am loyal to the family and will do whatever it takes to keep them happy. Understand?"