The steward puffed out his cheeks and looked annoyed.  He turned in his seat to look full on at Arisa and cross his arms over his chest.<strong> "Miss,"</strong>he said in a tone that was scolding, imperious, in a way that reminded her of the more stern teachers back at the temple where she had trained,<strong>"I'm sure you know that the master's books are absolutely none of the mistress's concerns.  We all know they have been having difficulties since... since... well... the incident.  But even though he has seen fit to fire almost all of the old staff other than me, and hire on women with more looks then sense, that does not mean I am going to betray his trust by giving away his secrets to any pretty face and long set of legs that comes strolling in here."</strong><br/><br/>He stopped and looked Arisa's body up and down and nodded once before adding,<strong>"and if she hired you to come in and try to use your feminine wiles on me, well, that's just insidious and I would be shocked at such an action."</strong>