Letitia forgot about the vows. “Are you objecting to her complexion? I warn you, sir, tell your staff to treat her with all the respect due a companion.” “A companion?” He seemed both surprised and amused. “Not your maid? I assumed your father brought a number of slaves to work in his household.” The tone of his voice held nothing but indifference. And he had said he would not have taken the plantations, even if her father had offered them. But she would never take Josie’s safety for granted. “ Miss Josepha Fourier is more than a maid. I had planned to talk to you about it tomorrow, but since you brought up the subject, let me explain. Firstly, she is a free woman,” Letitia said firmly.