"Crimpers," he turned back to face her -- a flick of his wrist adjusting his shirt so that it settled more comfortably. Bloody Hell. "Crimpers take recruits and auction'em off to the highest paying regiments. Like a bleeding horse sale."

His neutral-but-rough composure broke now into a sort of righteous indignation. "Bloody well just shut an operation down a week ago, lass. Thought I were done with it."