Page 36 of Claiming the Tower (Council Mysteries #1)

T hursday was not Bess’s usual day in Trellech, but the Lammas celebrations had somewhat upended the usual schedule.

More to the point, she had a delicately timed potion to pick up from the household’s preferred apothecary for Hereswith’s father.

It would be ready at four. Better that than waiting for the apothecary to send a messenger along.

Bess had volunteered to come in, give them the needed payment for the final stage, do a handful of other errands, and bring the potion back.

She’d stopped in a bookshop, picked up more of Hereswith’s preferred hair oil and a bar of soap that smelled like a summer garden, before going on to the Field.

The club was not terribly busy. Those of Horse House who worked a regular day’s schedule were not yet done with their work. Those who tended their homes and families had gone along to do that, all the arrangements of tea and supper and whatever their children needed.

Bess thought about drifting to the quiet room, but she instead turned right toward the conversation room, after asking Adelaide for tea. Hereswith had made it clear with the staff that Bess’s requests now went on the Rowan account, not that it made Bess inclined to be grabby about what she ordered.

She settled in one of the comfortable chairs, close enough to the set at the end she could join that conversation if she chose. For a while, she let the pleasant background burble of the chatter keep her company while she read a bit more of her book. But then, one voice got louder.

“Well, of course, Edric Fitzroy seems the most likely.” They were talking about the Challenge.

Bess was sure Hereswith’s ear would have picked that up earlier.

She was more attuned to hearing a name in a passing and shifting her attention.

Now, though, Bess listened as attentively as she could, making the small sigil on her palm that would bring some of the memory charms she preferred into play.

They were linked to a small brooch pinned to her corset cover, not the sort of thing even those attentive to magical enchantments would notice without particular cause.

Whoever the woman was talking to snorted. “Fitzroy’s skilled enough, I suppose, but you know that doesn’t mean much in a Challenge. Have you actually looked at the results? The favourite only comes through about one time in three. Wonderful for the bookies but not a good measure of actual success.

“Edric Fitzroy’s a talented duellist.” The first person sounded affronted.

A male voice cut in. “No one’s saying he isn’t. We are, however, arguing the idea that perhaps duelling skill isn’t all there is to it. Groves, for example, could give him a good run on the duelling.”

“Pah.” Fitzroy’s partisan dismissed that. “A fop.”

“A fop who has won every duel he’s fought for the last year, at least in public.

And that’s what, two dozen, Donal?” The second woman addressed the man, and that gave Bess an idea of who the two of them were.

Donal Harris was older than Bess was. They’d overlapped for two years at Schola.

That made the woman likely his sister-in-law, Sabina.

They’d been a year apart at school, good friends, and then Donal had married Sabina’s sister.

They had a comfortable way with each other, they always had, the kind grown out of long-standing jokes and mutual understanding.

Mutual priorities, too. The Harrises and Copleys— Sabina’s husband— ran a materia business of all sorts.

Bess knew from previous conversations this was their quieter season, as they waited for the harvest to be made and the materia to be dried or processed or whatever was involved.

The woman they were with waved a hand. Bess had turned now to catch enough of the motion, though not so much she was obviously eavesdropping.

She wasn’t the only one, she thought. A couple of other people on this end of the room had gone quieter or let their own reading material settle to table or lap.

“What about Euphremia Sibley, then?” That was Sabina, challenging a little more.

“You know her well, don’t you, Sabina? She’s in your line of work.” The other woman made it sound casual, but of course Bess recognised it as the opening volley in something sharper.

Sabina was no fool, of course. “And I asked you first, Leda.” Leda.

Leda. Bess searched her memory. Leda Collins, maybe.

She’d be around the right age. Not of Horse House, however.

She was one of Owl’s. If that was the case, she was here at someone’s invitation.

Presumably Sabina or Donal. Bess tucked that information away.

“Oh, well. Soft, surely.” That comment from Leda made Sabina snicker.

“You’ve obviously never had a professional conversation with her, Leda.” Donal leaned back, stretching out one arm along the top of the sofa he was sitting on. “Besides, it’s the quiet ones who are deceptive.”

“Next you’ll be arguing that Hereswith Rowan has a chance. Most of what she does isn’t even magical. Arranging tea parties for the incapables in London.”

Bess stiffened, but she was not alone in a reaction. Around her, there was a chord of inhales, pitched slightly differently, as if everyone who heard the conversation were about to burst into it.

Sabina’s voice cut across all of it. “Don’t you think a certain amount of negotiation and understanding of protocol might be handy to have on the Council?”

“You can’t imagine she’d do better than Edric. Or even Antinous!” Leda leaned forward, as if she were now a terrier going after the argument. “She’s— what has she even done with herself?”

“Do remember where you are, Leda.” Donal’s voice was a drawl now, the sort that would warn most people with any sense. Bess refused to speak up. She was in an awkward position about it, at least as things were at the moment. But she was glad Donal was right there.

“What, do you actually mean that as some sort of threat?” Leda’s laugh was shrill now. “You wouldn’t.” Sabrina coughed just once. Leda went on, “Come on, you don’t even much like her.”

“I don’t see much of her. That’s an entirely separate matter. Don’t you know the difference?” Sabina’s voice had dropped in pitch, steady, now. Then she said, without changing her voice much at all, but with a charm to make it carry. “Bess, do you have a moment?”

Named like that, summoned like that, Bess would not keep quiet. “Of course, Sabina. Shall I join you?”

“Please.” Bess rose, slipping her book into the basket and leaving it.

It would be safe enough, and besides, there was nothing private in there.

She felt the slight shift of her skirts, then crossed to sit next to Donal, the last open seat.

It was indeed Leda Collins, now Bess had a better look.

They’d overlapped at Schola as well, though Leda had been in the library most of the time, and interested in areas that didn’t appeal as much to Bess.

“You’re companion to Hereswith’s father at the moment, I heard?

” Sabina laid it out, clear and precise.

Bess knew what to expect there. Sabina was not subtle, not when she was at her best. She was honest and forthright.

If they were horses out in a field, she’d be a sturdy cob, able to turn her hand to half a dozen tasks without too much strain.

Donal was perhaps a bit more of a thoroughbred.

What Bess might be herself, that would take more thinking.

Now she had to reply. She nodded once. “I am. Since solstice, so going on six weeks. He’s delightfully charming.

I gather there’s good reason for some of the gossip about him as a rake before he was married and between his wives.

” He’d told her a few of those stories himself, chuckling over them, and she had asked Hereswith later if she knew them as well.

Hereswith did, but her brothers, apparently, ignored such things.

Now, Bess just waited to see what Sabina would do next.

“Now, we’d not be so crass as to ask what you think Hereswith’s chances are. Or her preparations. We respect our own. We’re not the Fox’s Den, after all, or the Owlery, where information is prized beyond manners.” Sabina was making a particular point, and Leda narrowed her eyes.

“Hereswith is in London today and tomorrow. Her work keeps her busy, that’s why she wanted someone to keep her father company, even before she considered the Challenge.

” Bess considered what to say next. “Quite supportive, her family and a number of her Ministry colleagues. Those who don’t have other loyalties, at least.” She let her shoulder twitch.

“We understand that problem here, Leda, of course.”

“Oh, you can’t leave it at that. Surely you can let spill some little secret of preparation. Duelling training, or what wonderful clothing she’s having made, with all sorts of enchantments. That’s costly work, but of course that’s not a problem for the Rowans.”

Bess considered, then said, in tones that matched Donal’s earlier comment, “Do remember where you are, Leda.” Bess gave it a beat, and went on.

“And who you’re speaking with.” Sabina and Donal and their businesses were doing well at the moment, but they hadn’t always been.

The foursome had rebuilt the business after some difficulties in Donal’s father’s generation, his father and uncles, if she remembered the details correctly.

It wasn’t exactly gambling debts, she remembered that much, but something of the kind.

“Besides, everyone knows that it’s not the clothes that get you through. ”

“The clothes help, though.” Leda looked affronted.

“You can’t mean all of you think she has a chance?

” Leda looked around. Bess spared a glance to realise there was a circle of perhaps eight others now all focused on the conversation.

As one, as if a herd of horses changed direction across a field in unison, there was a wave of shrugs.

“As much chance as any,” Sabina said, firmly. “And she’s ours. She should take the chance if she wishes. Gods know the Council could probably use someone with sense on it, who knows how to organise the work properly.”

It was enough like what Hereswith had relayed from Magistra Ventry that Bess had to bite her lip not to laugh.

Leda looked appalled and stood in a rush.

“I never. I know where I’m not wanted. Sabina, tomorrow.

” She stormed out, at as rapid a pace as her petticoats and fashionably broad skirt would allow.

There was silence as she went. Everyone was too civilised to start gossiping until she’d been escorted out the door by one of the staff.

“I beg pardon, Bess.” Sabina turned to her now. “Leda has her rude moments, but I didn’t expect that particular bee in her bonnet.”

“I didn’t either,” Bess admitted. “May I let Hereswith know you all gave your support? I think it would mean a great deal to her.” There was a nod from everyone, and then most of them filtered off, leaving Sabina and Donal with Bess.

“Tea, Bess? And do you have a minute for a chat? There was something I wanted to ask you, actually. A business matter.” Sabina took control of the conversation again, and Donal seemed comfortable letting her.

It was one thing Bess had started noticing more, after talking so much with Hereswith about Marcus.

And perhaps even more about some of her experiences with others at the Ministry who did not share so competently.

“Of course, Sabina. And Donal, of course.” Bess acknowledged him, and he waved two fingers as Sabina handed her a cup of tea.

“How are you really, in terms of a position? We might have something coming open in a month or two that could use an organised hand. Or I heard Adelaide mention they might hire someone to second her duties.”

Bess blinked, unsure what to say about that, and sipped her tea.

Either of them would likely mean a more regular schedule.

And independence, if she wanted it. She was fairly sure both would pay decently.

Not as well as the Rowans were, given she also had room and board there, but comfortably.

After a moment, she said, “I’ve promised Hereswith I’ll stay on at least through the Challenge, of course.

Then it rather depends on the results. Her father is a dear, but quite frail.

I entirely understand why she thinks it’s best to have someone handy most of the time.

Just in case.” She let herself smile. “I enjoy his conversation, too. It’s a pleasure, being there. ”

Sabina arched an eyebrow. “I hated the idea you might feel trapped by circumstance.”

“That would—” Bess hesitated, whether she wished to make it clear what her life had been like.

“With Madam Judson and Madam Hall, you’d be right.

I’d not have thought to look for something better, then.

I didn’t think it was on offer. That I could take a risk on it.

Hereswith and her father have been clear, thoughtful, and quite generous within the scope of what they hired me for.

I expect that to continue. And have you ever been out to Verdant Court?

It’s glorious, especially the gardens, this time of year. ” That part was all truth.

Sabina tilted her head just slightly. “If you say. Well. You let us know if that changes for you. We’ll be advertising through the usual agencies, the beginning of September at the earliest.”

“Thank you for thinking of me.” That was sincere enough.

Sabina and Donal might not have asked months ago— though to be fair, they’d not been around on Tuesdays when Bess was here.

But it was a kindness they thought to check now, even if Bess was far less in need of a rescuing hand.

“Now, how are you both? How are the children? And the rest of your family, of course.”

It was not a subtle change of subject, but none of them needed it to be.