Every Whispered Word by Karyn Monk

their work, and unfortunately, my funds are not limitless. To pay them for two months and have them accomplish virtually nothing will be a significant strain on my finances.”
    â€œThen send a letter instructing them to go home for eight weeks,” Simon suggested. “Tell them to come back once we have arrived with the pump.”
    â€œThese men come from tribes that live many miles away—sometimes hundreds of miles,” Camelia told him. “They travel for weeks or even months on foot to find work, and then they agree to stay for an established period of time, after which they are very anxious to go home to their families. They cannot just pack up and go home and then return. Couldn’t you manage to build something faster?”
    â€œIf I work at it day and night, and my manufacturers are able to keep within my deadlines, perhaps I could build a pump within six weeks.”
    She regarded him imploringly. “Do you think if you worked even harder you might be able to do it within four?”
    â€œIt’s unlikely.”
    â€œBut you’ll try?”
    Simon sighed. “Yes. I’ll try.”
    â€œWonderful! When do we start?”
    â€œI’ll be starting tomorrow, by finding another house in which I can set up a new laboratory.”
    â€œWhy don’t you set it up here?” offered Camelia. “You could have either the dining room or the drawing room—or even both, if you like. We don’t use them much—I rarely have visitors, and Zareb and I really prefer to eat downstairs in the kitchen.”
    â€œThat’s very generous of you, but somehow I don’t think you want your neighbors talking about the fact that you have a strange man wandering around your house day and night.”
    â€œI don’t trouble myself overmuch about what other people choose to say about me. As it is they all dislike the fact that I’m staying here with my animals, so I can’t really see how your presence would make much of a difference.”
    Simon didn’t know whether he should be insulted by the fact that she equated his presence with that of a monkey, a bird, and a snake, or concerned that she seemed to have so little awareness of how cutting the gossip of London society could be.
    â€œI will be able to make other arrangements for my laboratory,” he assured her. “But thank you. Once I have set myself up in a new space, we will have to meet again. There are a number of things I will need to discuss with you as I work on the pump’s design. As you pointed out, the harsh African environment presents some unique challenges.”
    â€œYou may call upon me any time, day or night. I am very anxious to assist you in any way I can, so that we can return home as quickly as possible.”
    â€œExcellent. Good day, then, Lady Camelia.” He moved to the drawing room doors, maintaining a safe distance from Rupert, then stopped. “There is just one more thing: We neglected to discuss the issue of my compensation.”
    â€œOf course, forgive me.” Camelia frowned, pretending to think for a moment. “I believe yesterday we discussed five percent of my profits over two years.”
    â€œActually, I believe by the time you had finished your extremely impressive efforts to recruit me, you had offered me ten percent over five years.”
    She regarded him coolly, irritated that he remembered. “Very well.”
    â€œUnfortunately, that was yesterday. Since then my circumstances have changed considerably, and therefore I am compelled to set my price at twenty percent over two years.”
    â€œI can’t afford to pay you that much!”
    â€œActually, you are getting something of a bargain. If you are truly on the cusp of an important discovery, then it will generate a fortune, and twenty percent will be insignificant. But if it turns out the site does not bear the riches you foresee, or if they cannot be