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Well, we have our faults but I wouldn't go so far as to say there's something fundementally wrong with us.

Bella blinks, then vaguely remembers with whom she's speaking.

Oh! No, I didn't mean you, per se. It's just, between Lady Maynooth and that clout Milton Milford, the English upper-classes and I aren't exactly seeing eye-to-eye.

I don't believe I've ever met them. Still, just because you’ve met with a few bad eggs doesn’t mean you have to turn all Bolshie.

Dreadfully sorry you’ve butting heads with them. I can’t see why they would choose to be difficult towards you.You are well-mannered, intelligent, reserved…I’d say nearly excessively easy to get on with.

Count yourself lucky.

Bolshie?

It's not me they dislike, it's the rest of my ~~chronically insane~~ family. I just happen to be the one molding the minds of the future.

*taps himself on the head* Thus counted.

You know, a Bolshevik. Flea-infested, overall-wearing Russkies who want to lay siege to the country homes of the genteel and grow corn in them.

Can you avoid them?

There's nothing really wrong with them. They're just not sloshed enough.

"I have a feeling that if they were...sloshed, it would be worse."

She curtsies and smiles at Sophie.

"Bella Moriarty. And you?"

Sophie attempts the curtsy she learned a long time ago. She's wobbly.

Sophie Rackham. Nice to meet you. Oh, and rich drunk oldies are the funniest.

Bella's not exactly a paragon of social graces, despite her best efforts.

"Rackham?"

Here comes the infamous Bella Moriarty eyebrow-raise

"I've heard that name before...In any case, the aristocrats I have to deal with are hypocritical, moralistic clouts who care more for the good graces of "Society" than for reality."

Sophie is quite talked about in being a bit...wild.

Yes. Rackham. What have you heard?

Oh really? For shame. I'd say get them sloshed on whiskey or scotch
but that might be too much fun.

Bella has heard the gossip, but (for the most part) ignores it.

"Oh, nothing really. You...run a perfumerie, is that right?"

"And I can't 'get them sloshed,' as you say. One of 'them' is the patroness of the school I work at."

I do. My Father's old business. Thankfully it's actually worth something now.

It's easy to get anyone sloshed. But I guess rich women are harder than rich men...Hmmm.

Bella smiles.

"How very fortunate for you."

"I would not want to see Lady Maynooth sloshed. She's dangerous enough sober. I've nearly been dismissed five times this term because of her paranoid flights of fancy!"

How fortunate that he decided to kill himself.

Really? What is it that you do?

"Oh! I am so terribly sorry!"

"I teach. Mathematics."

No need to be sorry. He was a sad man.

Mathematics? That was never my strong point. You teach at a school then?

"Yes. For now at least, so long as our dear patroness does not succeed in convincing Mrs. Eldritch that I am completely debased."

I sure hope not. Children need good teachers these days. When I was a kid,
my Governess taught me all she knew. She never had any formal education...

Bella laughs.

"You should tell some of my students that..."

I would! And I'd say: Look here, lads and lasses, she taught
me all she knew and look who I am today!

Just like that. All serious like.

*mock scandalized look*

And corrupt the future of London Society, Miss Rackham? I am shocked!

I think Lady Maynooth would have an attack...

Erupts in giggles.

The children would give me one look and go: Look, a daft whore with cash. Rubbish.

If she did, that'd get her off our back, I'd think.

"The children" are in their late 'teens and early twenties. They would probably gossip through the whole thing, just as they do my lectures.

Yes...but her family would probably blame me. Which would be...unpleasant, to say the least. Because dealing with those imbeciles at the Yard was so much fun the first time around...

Oh, they're young adults then. Hmmm, the gossip wouldn't bother
me much at all really. And don't worry about them talking through
your lectures - once they're out of damned school, they'll look back
and go..Boy, I should've listened to Bella. What's 2 + 2?

Giggles more.

Oh. Blarg. My condolences that you have to deal with daft savages like that anyways. So overpaid.

Another smile.

Now that would be amusing, wouldn't it? Unfortunately, most of them will probably end up able to pay people to tell them what 2+2 is, but it's still rather depressing.

Bella rolls her eyes.

If Inspector Lestrade just "happens" to be "passing by" my flat once more, I swear that I will no longer be responsible for my actions.

Money can't buy happiness, or the right answer to a maths problem.

Smiles wide.

Oh bloody Hell, really? I'd kick him in the crown jewels but you've already
heard about me doing that in the papers I'm sure. I'm not very lady like.

Indeed. Not that I should complain, mind you. I just don't feel the need to wave what I have ~~inherited from my father's illegal doings~~ in front of everyone. There is such a thing as discretion, after all.

Her eyes widen.

That was you? Congratulations! Whomever it was, I am quite certain he deserved it. As for me, I rather think he's still trying to prove that the Spellgrove case was linked to me, so I really don't blame him. I mean, it cost the ~~incompetent bumbler~~ man a promotion. But, it is still rather annoying, and does nothing for Mrs. Eldritch's opinion of me.

I use a fair amount on discretion, Miss Sugar told me to be
proud of my wealth but not to shove it down anyone's throat.
Literally and figuratively.

A nod.

Oh, he was some bloody stupid Ambassador that tried to grope
me in a pub. I wasn't having it! And that detective should be
disbarred and fired from The Yard, although he fits in with all
their daft employees.

"Indeed."

Whether this is said in response to the first or second remark is unclear. Sophie can interpret this as she likes; it's Bella's standard response when she's trying to avoid talking about something.