"Here." Roddy stood and leaned across his desk to hand Florian a narrow wooden box. Roddy had invited Florian to his study after breakfast and Florian had been half-expecting a polite request to leave. Instead, he'd been handed a box.
"It's a serving spoon." Florian frowned at the box's contents and then at his host. "I don't understand."
"I was eight and had snuck into the kitchen for a snack. There was a beggar girl about my age asking for scraps at the kitchen door. Cook sent her away with nothing so I picked up the first thing of value that I saw, one of my mother's best silver serving spoons, and ran after her. I told her she could take it to the pub and exchange it for a meal." Roddy shook his head. "Mother was furious. Father made me ride with him to the pub to try and get the spoon back. Fortunately for me, the girl had done as I'd suggested. Billy, the publican at the time, believed the girl's story about someone at the estate giving her the spoon. He figured we'd come looking for it, so he fed the girl and sent her on her way, then tucked the spoon away until we arrived. Father was so relieved that he made a deal with Billy. To this day, when someone comes begging for food, they are given that spoon and told where to exchange it for a meal. I have the meals added to my tab and use the spoon as an excuse to visit the pub." He nodded to the spoon in the box and added, "Mother demanded that we use that old thing in place of her best silver, but the idea is the same."
"An excellent solution," Florian returned the box to Roddy. "Perhaps Ray would be willing to make a similar arrangement." He looked away before adding, "It would be safer."
"It would, if all that the beggar wanted was food." Roddy said flatly.
"Do some of yours want more?" Florian asked.
"There have been a few incidents over the years. One of the scullery maids got pushed and fell. She had a few bruises, but nothing more serious." Roddy leaned forward to convey the importance of what he needed to say. "I am responsible for the safety of everyone in my employ. I have faced the same choice as your Ray and made similar decisions. It has been a burden on my conscience every time. Please do not think your cousin made his decision lightly."
"I know he didn't," Florian replied, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. "I'll make arrangements to leave in the morning."
"You may leave if you wish, but I'm not asking you to go." Roddy stood up and walked around the desk, taking a seat in the chair next to Florian. "What did you offer beggars? Before you moved in with your cousin?"
"Mother had the cook bake an extra loaf of bread and set aside a portion of cheese."
"Were there ever incidents with a beggar getting into the house?"
"Only once that I know of." Florian looked averted his eyes. "At the end, our financial situation was common knowledge."
"I'm sorry," Roddy took Florian's hands, holding them lightly. "I can't imagine how difficult it was."
"Thank you," Florian managed a faint smile and withdrew his hands. "I should leave you to your work."
"In a moment," Roddy insisted. "Before you make a decision, I need you to know that every servant that I've had to discipline has been offered a chance to atone for their mistake. Most of them have." Roddy tilted his head slightly to catch Florian's gaze. "You told me that you were likely to make the same mistake again, but what if you had another way of helping the beggars without compromising the safety of Ray's home?"
"Like a serving spoon and an arrangement with the local restaurant?"
"If that is the compromise you reach with your cousin. Could you live with that arrangement?"
"I think I could," Florian nodded, his mood brightening. "Thank you, Roddy."
"You just needed some perspective," Roddy assured him, "but I fear it's cost me my traveling companion."
"Not at all. I'd be delighted to accompany you. I've been thinking of keeping a journal of the trip, with sketches."
"Ed might be convinced to fund part of your trip if you agree to let him serialize your journal. You could send him weekly updates."
"I would be grateful for the opportunity." Florian half-turned to go but hesitated and turned to face his host again. "Last night I decided to make the most of my time away from Paris. It has been… a difficult two years."
"I understand," Roddy replied. Florian heard the truth and the sympathy in his words.
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