“Mal was looking for me, apparently,” Freya said as Inara opened the door for her.

“So I understand.”

“Do you know where he is?”

“I think he’s upstairs. In the south-east corner room.”

Freya had to smile a little. “The one Kaylee calls the ballroom?”

“I don’t think it’s big enough for that, but yes.”

“What’s he doing up there?”

“I wondered if one of the main beams was rotten, and he offered to take a look for me.” She waved her hand airily. “I don’t think he’s come down yet.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

Inara watched her friend climb the stairs, and smiled.

“Madam?” Mrs Boden stood in the doorway to the other part of the house. “Will you be wanting tea now?”

“I don’t …” She stopped. “You know, yes, I think we will. In the kitchen.”

“Madam?” If Mrs Boden could have looked shocked, it must surely have been then.

“In the kitchen. And we can talk.”

“Talk, Madam?”

“I want to know all about you. How you and Mr Boden met. What you’ve been doing all these years.”

Mrs Boden’s lips tightened just a little. “I’m sure Madam wouldn’t find it very interesting …”

Inara took the older woman’s arm. “And I think it will be fascinating. Do you have any of those wonderful biscuits?”

“I … yes, Madam. I made a fresh batch this morning.”

“Good.” Inara patted her hand. “You know, I’m going to end up as big as a house if I’m not careful, with all your wonderful food.”

Mrs Boden preened a little. “Thank you, Madam. But, if you don’t mind me saying, I don’t think you need to worry about your weight.”

Inara smiled at her. “Well, perhaps you can make us a pot of tea while we discuss ways to make sure I don’t.”

“Yes, Madam,” Mrs Boden said, allowing herself to be escorted back to her domain.

---

“Mal?” Freya reached the top floor, wondering what the diyu was going on. Inara had Mr Boden to fix things - what did she need Mal to look at?

“In here, xin gan .” Mal’s voice drifted through the closed doors from the corner room.

She slid them ope