Page 16 of Bloody Business

The goblin girl snorted.“Yeah, right!Big curls, big nose, big freckles.”She waved her hands, indicating Julep's ample chest.“You even have big eyes,” she said in gloomy envy.“I bet you'll get fat when you're pregnant, too.It's not fair!”

“Gal,” Artur growled.

She looked at him in surprise, and then realized.“Oh!Sorry.I forgot.Forgive me for being stupid, please,” she said formally.“I wasn't expecting you to be so pretty.”

Julep laughed in disbelief.The girlseemedsincere, but no one had ever admired her before.It was so strange.“I forgive you.”

Artur stepped forward, kissed her hand and then placed it on his forearm.“Are you hungry?No?Why don't we go to the sitting room and order some drinks and snacks, anyway.I'm feeling peckish, and the kids are always ready to eat.

“By the way, this is my niece and nephew, Gal and Zac.They are my adopted children.I believe I've mentioned them.”

“It's nice to meet you,” Julep said.She appreciated the support of Artur's arm.She wasn't quite steady yet.

The sitting room had big windows and a blue iron stove.He settled her on one couch and then took a chair facing her.Like the rest of the house, it was decorated with comfortable furniture of good quality, but not showy.

A servant brought hot cider, tea and goblin coffee.There was also an array of sausages, cheese, pickles and buttery biscuits.

Julep found she was a little hungrier than she thought, and filled a small plate.

Artur smiled approvingly.Despite his claim of hunger, he merely took a cup of Goblin coffee.He liked his plain, without butter or spices.

Gal sat next to Julep, the better to admire her.Her brother sat next to Artur, his expression polite but reserved.

Artur smiled at her.“Now then, to business.I secured your cart and sheep, they're in my stables.The gold was deposited in the bank.As soon as you're feeling better, I'll take you there so you can see for yourself.

“Meanwhile, here's your bank book.”He took a small book from his pocket and handed it to her.

Julep stared at him.When he nodded encouragingly to the book, she opened it and saw her money faithfully recorded.Every cent was there.

Stunned, she looked at him.“Why?I would have never known if you'd taken it.”

He looked at her keenly.“That's not how I want our relationship to be.I want you to trust me.”

She blinked at him, overcome.It was going to take a while to process his honesty.Goblins weren't known for being altruistic.

He smiled.“It was a good idea, parking by the compost pile.Unfortunately, I rode in the cart, so it was already too late.

“Goblins can smell gold the way you smell pie.Also, there was a slight jingle in the bottom of the cart.You did a good job silencing the coins between the felt, but I was right on top of them.”

He did not add that pain had made him hyper aware.The gold had helped, giving him something else to think about.

“The money is yours to do with you as you like, although I will happily advise you about investments, if you like.I'm rather good at making money.”

Zac snorted.“Rather good..!”

Julep looked at him, confused.

“He's rich as a king,” Zac explained.

Julep pinched the bridge of her nose.This was all rather much.

“I am,” Artur said mildly.“As your husband, I’ll take care of your household expenses.Clothes, food, allowance and the like.”

“I'm in charge of shopping!”Gal said.“You boys won't like it, and I know who the best dressmakers are.I'll have the most fashionable aunt in the city,” she said proudly.

Julep looked at her, surprised.The girl was dressed for combat in pants and light armor.She certainly didn't look like an expert on clothes and accessories.

“I'm not really much for fashion,” Julep protested mildly.

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