Florence's blue eyes rested on Master Ryan after she had finished speaking, drinking in his expression. Now she was in the game, though thankfully it was not the game she usually played. The man wore a mask quite well, save the warmth of the smile he offered did not reach his eyes when he responded saying quietly, "Not everything can be bought, sir, M'lady. I will not go into the details, but, if you can give me a few moments.."<br/><br/>Florence's head bowed in her ascent, not that he needed it but because it seemed the polite thing to do in response to his own polite gesture. He motioned Atticus closer and the bodyguard leaned in. Florence's eyes averted immediately, allowing them a sense of privacy, at least from her. She turned to look at Nicholas and blinked in surprise when she saw his expression.<br/><br/><em>'Oh dear.. Something's struck a nerve in my lover...'</em>Almost as if in response to her observation Nicholas spoke softly, "There is a reason, Master Valentine, that I usually do not look for models in brothels." She tilted her head slightly at the words, sending golden curls spilling over her shoulder.<em>'If you were uncomfortable with this, Nic, why didn't you tell me so?'</em>Her blue eyes were soft as she regarded her friend, if a bit confused. This had been her idea and she had brought him here, but she'd not yet seen him show such reluctance or concern.<em>'That's something I should like to understand better, though I may never have the opportunity...'</em><br/><br/>The sound of Master Ryan's voice - now pitched for herself and Nicholas to hear - pulled Florence immediately from her considerations. Her face smoothed over and offered the same pleasant confidence and candor she had displayed moments before as she turned her gaze back on Master Ryan and listened to his words, "The young man you described is named Adonijah. But, I feel I must protect both you from being surprised and him from having his emotions hurt. The young man is of a more exotic nature than one may think on first glance, though.. I do agree he is dashing."<br/><br/>Florence found herself more curious now about the man, Adonijah, but still concerned for Nicholas. She knew her moods and tastes were rather precarious at that moment in time and was thankful when Atticus spoke up, offering her a little longer to sort out her own feelings.<br/><br/>"Then, I will be at your disposal sir," the bodyguard offered to Nicholas, his tone and his form tense enough to express shadows in his own past.<br/><br/>Florence drew a breath in, a long one, and then adjusted her curls with the hand which had been holding Nicholas'. She pushed them back over her shoulder so they fell down her back, thankful that Atticus was not behind her for the moment. "Well, I should like to know in what way Enchanting Adonijah is exotic if you please, Master Valentine." The words were accompanied by her charming smile, the emphasis left on 'Enchanting Adonijah' like the title was inherently attached to his name.<br/><br/>"And I suppose we should consider the cost of time, as you stated hiring two entertainers would cost three times the fee of one, but also that hiring your head of security would be more expensive than a single entertainer's fee.. Are we to assume then that the cost of Atticus' time will be threefold what you would ask for him alone if Nicholas hires two?"<br/><br/>Numbers. She knew the danger of them far too well for a simple noblewoman, but that was fine. She was<em>anything</em>but simple. Her blue eyes were cheerful and warm as they rested on Master Ryan's face and awaited his response. She'd elected to address him by his last name since she did not know him well, hoping to convey a deeper sense of respect on her part than someone calling him 'Master Ryan' might.