Though his mother had gotten two carriages as she said, they had to look their status, he was not going to attract attention by parking a carriage in front of Lady Steinhouse's home. Arriving at the location, he tied his horse away from the building and walked toward it. He knocked at the side entrance used by the servants and presented the token the lady had given him and was let in.

Lady Steinhouse was entertaining a few ladies in her tea room when a servant arrived and whispered into her ear. She stood abruptly when informed of Walter's arrival, startling the ladies.

She quickly apologized and rushed away. The ladies glanced at each other and then at her retreating form and started whispering amongst themselves.

Lady Steinhouse rushed into her chambers and called for her maid.

“Where is the dress I’d bought?” the maid blanked out.

“Hurry up!” Lady Steinhouse scolded and she immediately took out the plain dress. She rushed and got changed. She was quite happy she had no makeup on today and that she had thrown out her heavy perfume for a soft floral one. She rushed to get changed into a soft pink flowing dress and sprayed on a little perfume. Styling her hair simply, she rushed out only to pause at the door. What was she doing?

No, I am only making a good impression. That way, he would put in a good word for me. Didn't uncle say that Lady Wickshire was an important person? Yes. Anyone would do the same.

“He's at the garden?” she asked her maid, who answered a yes in a daze. She led her lady to the little maze in the middle of the garden. When she saw Walter's back, she waved her maid away and adjusted her dress and made her way toward him. Walter turned as he heard someone approach.

Honestly, he had been taken back by her transformation; yet, he maintained a blank look.

“You took your time. Did I interrupt something?” he asked and she frowned. She saw him take in her look and had expected a comment, but he neither commented nor had a change in expression. She did not like how that made her feel.

“Yes. Did you bring it?” she asked and he gave her the document. Seeing as she glanced through it with little interest, he raised a brow.

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“What? Does the matter of the minister no more bother you? Did I waste my time?” Walter asked.

“No, wasted mine,” she grumbled. Not hearing her answer, Walter sighed. What is with her now? she looked to be sulking.

“When it comes to using this, you must be ruthless. That's the best way to get a good result. You must understand what he holds dear and take it. Do you understand?” Walter asked.

“His family; we have them already. I was waiting for you,” she grumbled. Walter paused; it can't be that she's angry with him, right?

“What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?” Walter frowned.

Neither of them noticed that one of the ladies had left the gathering inside and tried to find Lady Steinhouse and after rustling some maids, made her way there. She could only see Walter's back and they were talking in low tones, so she could not hear what was said. She tried listening hard but failed to hear. Only then did she hear Lady Steinhouse loudly declare,

“I bought a new dress,”

“Why?” she heard Walter answer and saw Lady Steinhouse blush.

“What? You don't like it? Don't you know it's rude to say you don't like a lady's dress?” Lady Steinhouse asked, flustered.

“I never said I don't like it,” Walter answered. He sighed inwardly; he could feel himself digging himself deeper into a hole.

“If you're so adamant that you don't like it, buy me another one!” she seemed angered.

“Why does the dress matter? Why does it matter if I like to see it?” Walter was officially confused.

“So, you don't want to see me at all?” Lady Steinhouse's anger seemed to increase another level.

“What....” Walter started to say but decided to shut up. This was getting him nowhere. Why was she suddenly angry anyway? And what does this have to do with the dress she is wearing? Looking at her lowered head, he picked up her chin to look at him. Lady Steinhouse seemed to have lost her soul staring into his green eyes.

“What's wrong?” he finally asked.

“You should always tell a lady she looks good,” she mumbled. Finally, he got it. Couldn't she have just said that? Noticing their position, he put his hand down. Sighing inwardly, he wondered why he did something so stupid as to pick up her chin.

The lady hidden in the corner had turned red, as though she had witnessed something scandalous. She noticed as their voices lowered again, not allowing her to make out their words.

“Do you know how to deal with him when you have him?” Walter asked and she nodded.

“Where will you be and what time?” he asked.

“At the abandoned metal shed at Cisle way. A half clock turn before midnight,” she answered.

“Okay, I'll be there,” he said and turned to leave before he paused as though he had forgotten something.

“You look beautiful,” he said before leaving. Lady Steinhouse turned red as she smiled at last.

The lady eavesdropping rushed to hide as she saw Walter turn to leave. She hid as he passed, angry she could not see his face. Looking back at the smiling Lady Steinhouse, she let loose a sly smile. She had information to share with the world.