"Please, do not let me detain you. It is obvious your...employee is upset and your first duty is to him. Simply plan to meet again in your study in two hours?" Nicholas said to Master Ryan. Florence nodded her head in agreement as she took her place at Nicholas' side again.<br/><br/>"Thank you, sir, I shall. But not before something else that needs my attention," the Master responded before offering a smile and making his way along the lineup. He paused to lean in close to Adonijah and Florence realized she'd nearly forgotten the whore with all the tension of the last few moments.<br/><br/>Her shoulders relaxed a bit as her lips curled into another of her easy smiles.<em>'Well, we're staying. Perhaps Atticus can ease Nic's concerns.. And even if he can't, Adonijah and I surely will be able to when I'm finished with him.'</em>The thought was a bit arrogant perhaps, but Florence was nothing if not confident.<br/><br/>The Master spoke to the redhead Florence had been eying earlier after he'd finished with Adonijah. He seemed to fall back into his more controlled visage as he did. It was almost a marvel to watch in its own way... For she was very familiar with the uses of being able to change one's apparent mood on a moment's notice, and watching another practitioner of such control... Well, it was a bit like watching another master of an art she practiced. The question became, which were his real smiles? Which were his false ones?<em>'A riddle for another day, perhaps, or for another person altogether.'</em><br/><br/>Florence turned her gaze up at Nicholas again, blue eyes soft and gentle. She would let him lead her through the lineup. Her hand gently squeezed her escort's, a reminder that she was indeed here with him, and that she would be there for him if he needed her.