Belmilia Carrington-Howell sighed and leaned back in her chair.  "Is that the last of it, Waxford?"

"Yes, my lady."  The estate steward gathered up the stack of papers; manorial accounts, court rolls, custumals, all the information necessary to run the estates and manors that made up the Howell lordship.  "I should have the final accounts ready by this evening."

[Language.]

"How are you feeling, Himmy? Does it hurt?"

"Not so much now, but it did earlier."

"I bought you some ice cream, but mama says you can't eat it yet so I put it in the ice box for later. If you don't want it, can I eat it, please?"

"Sure thing, kiddo."