#fenixtj

When it's safe, she takes her hands away from her ears. "Come with me...." She writes a note, telling the Baroness that the Fief is not for sale under any circumstances and that, unless she has other business, there's no need to visit Fenix again.

"She might be a bit upset after she reads it. And, um, if she asks about Fenix or Renaissance.... try not to tell her anything. Ok?"

he nods "Oh I shall tell her the names of butterflies.... from A to Z"

And he takes the note, and bows

"Um. Good? Ok, thank you."

Jessica thinks about it for a moment, and goes to find Diego.

Diego is looking for her "Jessica, tell me it's not true?"

"What is?"

"SOme noble came in and is trying to .. to buy the place?"

He sputters furious

A deep breath. "It is true. Someone did. I am, of course, not selling. I don't think I could. I've told her not to bother coming back. But Diego, did Alejandro bring you a bottle of wine earlier?"

"He did... It's a damn fine quality but she can have it back if she's trying to buy us with it. I'd rather drink arsenic than sell my self to some noble gringa with delusions we're items on a store shelf! And You can..wait, you're refusing?"

"It was from her, yes, but that wasn't the bid. And yes, I turned her down. Of course I did!"

"I apologize, of course you did. I heard a lot of money was being offered and many would be tempted" He shakes his head, "I should have known you would not succumb. Again, my apologies."

An uncomfortable shrug. "For just a second... I thought about the good the money could do here but... no. We'll improve things slowly and with hard work. Better that way. Anyway, I thought you should know about the wine."

"I thank you," He says gently, "Would you like me to return it? Or... " A thought "I can sell it, and donate it to any worthy cause"

She nods. "I like that. Yes."

"It'll be done" He smiles "And thanks for telling me." A pat on the shoulder, and they part.

Looks like she won rebel points.

Not why she did it, but nice.

(End scene)