Keep an eye on him

You don't trust this stranger can manage your property... {if Wisdom < 2 } Even if you have no clue of how these things are done. {endif}

One day he meets you at the manor and asks if he can talk with you.

Pierre: My lady, may I have a word with you?

Lily: Yes Pierre, what is it?

Pierre: May I speak freely?

Lily: I would have it no other way.

Pierre: Lady Lily... I have overseen the management of your estate and I feel I must say... Well... It has been quite well managed the last years, your husband must be a very talented man at agriculture! However...

Lily: However?

Pierre: There seems to be some kind of problem with the bookkeeping... The amounts just don't ad up... I was trying to find a way to get to the bottom of this, but I have not succeeded so far. Some gold simply vanished from the treasury... {if Elegance > 5 } Most of it this spring, as if somebody just took some out of the chest... {endif} Do you have any clues to what has happened to the gold?

{if Elegance > 5 }Lily (thinking): You know you have taken some out, to be able to buy new dresses, maybe he is referring to that amount... But you can't tell him you stole some money from your husband's chest... {endif}

Lily: Hm... I have no idea where that money has gone to...

Pierre: Anyway, I'll try to find the reason for that. At the meantime, I also have something to tell you of...

Lily: What is it?

Pierre: The task I accepted here is more troublesome than I originally expected. The serfs are hard working fellows, but they require a full time overseer to work efficiently. Plus, I have to reorganise the bookkeeping which was not part of the deal.

Lily: So you want a raise?

Pierre: Yes, kind of...

Lily: Kind of...?

Pierre: My lady, I am a humble man... I make my living from this job and I do not dare to ask for a higher payment than what we have agreed. I do my job well enough to get contract after contract. I work day and night all year long... But such busy life has it's drawbacks...

Lily: Which is...?

Pierre: My life is a lonely one. And I would welcome the company of a woman from time to time... If you understand my intention.

Lily: Pierre, I am sorry, but I am married and...

Pierre: My lady, your husband is far away... Maybe he will never return... Surely you have your needs as well, which must be taken care of...

Lily: Pierre, I...

Pierre: You don't have to say anything Lady Lily. I'll offer you a choice instead. I can guarantee your estate will have a great harvest by the end of the year, but in return I expect my request to be granted. If you do not comply, no hard feelings, I'll return your gold you gave me and I shall look for an other estate to run and you will never hear of me again.

Lily: ...

Pierre: I'll wait for you at my room this evening, if you won't be there, I'll consider our contract dissolved and leave tomorrow morning.

Lily: Bastard...

Pierre: Nah, no need to insult anybody now! I respect your sense of honour, it is a noble thing to have... Loyalty to your husband is a great feat indeed. Just like the last lady whom I had the honour to serve last year... She refused my request, but couldn't manage her lands on her own and now she has been taken into debt slavery... A poor end for an honourable woman... I hope the same won't happen to you, my lady. Anyway, I'll be at my room, you will have time to think on what I have just said. Be well, Lady Lily!

Lily (thinking): What should I do?! God, I can't handle these things on my own! But if I accept his offer... I also have to think of my people... and Michael... If the estate will be in ruins upon his return, how will I look him in the eye?... Even worse, if I get sold as a **** for not being able to pay the taxes... All for not wanting to have sex with this man... I must make up my mind.