The steward turn to have a good look at Miss Magdalene, his expression shifted, faint but firm, as he raised his gaze to hers. "No, my lady. The Lord of the Black Sea does not accept favors, nor does he owe them. What he pays, he pays in full. To be otherwise is displeasing to him."
For a heartbeat, silence lay heavy between them. The seamstresses dared not move. Miss Magdalene, though caught off guard, inclined her head gracefully.
"Then forgive me, I only meant respect," she replied softly. She had guess that her request would be rejected she did not just expect it to be so firm.
The steward gave a short bow, his manner courteous but unyielding. "Respect is noted. Let it remain so, without debt." With that, he took the dress from the that was now been handed to him, turned and departed, leaving only the fading sound of his boots against the wooden floor.
