The refusal used several of Lyra’s favorite words.
Protected commitments. Independent administration. Existing obligations that could not be displaced by an undefined emergency request.
She set the letter down before she tore its edge.
The request had gone out as the formal quarantine approached. Relays, carriage, and the trustees’ review had consumed several days. She had expected conditions on an advance, perhaps a smaller sum. She had not expected an audited explanation of why the people she had helped protect intended to remain protected from her.
Felix noticed her face.
“Your uncle’s old supporters?”
“The administrators we trusted.”
“Oh.”
