Page 50 of Claiming the Tower (Council Mysteries #1)

T he following Tuesday began in quite a promising way.

Bess had delicately made arrangements to call on Madam Delongue at two, the hour in Trellech society for making calls that involved quieter conversation.

She had come prepared with several reasonable topics at hand, but of course Madam Delongue was no fool.

They’d been talking for perhaps fifteen minutes.

They’d covered the fact that Bess was beginning to learn more about those areas of interest to Hereswith— Magistra Rowan, in this context— in view of her expectations of hostessing once she was out of mourning.

Madam Delongue certainly understood the time needed for that process, and they’d had quite a good chat about building the connections slowly over time.

“It places her in a somewhat challenging position,” Madam Delongue said, carefully. “She cannot, I presume, put all of whatever responsibilities she has on the Council in abeyance.”

“No, Madam,” Bess agreed. “But at the same time, she both has no desire for formal entertaining at the moment, and it would not be seemly, besides. She wondered about your advice in that matter, actually.”

“Ah. For a parent, the usual term for formal mourning would be eight or ten months, progressing to half mourning until the year mark. It is easier for the men, of course. I gathered her brothers have been seen at their offices. A woman in Council Member Rowan’s position must distinguish the narrow road between her public obligations and her private life. ”

It was indeed simpler for the men. Bess said mildly, “If it is a matter of having business to see to, that applies as much to Magistra Rowan as to her brothers. More so, perhaps, since there is no second in command who can step up for a period on the Council. Each of them has their own obligations.”

Madam Delongue lifted her glasses to peer at Bess through them, and then came the question that Bess had expected. “Why have you come to me, then?”

Of course, Bess had discussed the possible answers with Hereswith in advance.

They must be united in their strategy. That meant that while Bess could move more freely with some of it, she had to keep the entire goal and approach in mind.

“Magistra Rowan is new to the dance of the Council and the way that it— and her father’s death— has changed her position in society.

Certainly some people see an opportunity. ”

“Marriage, or otherwise? Or, I suppose she’d likely already have several proposals, or at least the gesture at them arriving in due course.” Madam Delongue did indeed understand how such things worked. “And more now. I don’t know how much you know about the property.”

“None she considered worth a moment’s thought, but five so far, yes. She suspects it would have been more but for her father’s death. That means being prepared for them to come.” Bess considered, then said, mildly, “It is a lovely estate, well-managed, and I gather considered quite a prize.”

“Just so.” Madam Delongue considered. “I would be glad to speak with Council Member Rowan when she is able. And in this case, to visit privately, to avoid her the complication of being seen in town.”

“I will be delighted to let her know, Madam Delongue, and to convey a suggestion of suitable times.” Bess made it soft and gentle, but also let her pleasure show. Warmth would do no harm here. “Might I call again, to discuss some of the philanthropic considerations?”

“What is your role here, then?” Of course, that would be a good question. Was Bess a representative, a messenger, or something else?

Bess smiled, her best pleasant and somewhat enigmatic smile.

“Magistra Rowan has expressed her full confidence in me. I am tending to a number of household matters for her. But she also asked if I would at least begin to make connections on her behalf in a variety of areas.” Bess waited a moment, then added, “Magistra Rowan mentioned she would be interested in discussing the Pulvertons and their current situation with you.”

“Ah.” Just the one syllable, but it was the sound of everything settling into place. “I suppose they would have that effect. I would be glad to discuss with her. And to begin with you.”

Half an hour later, when the first proper caller of the afternoon arrived, Bess took her leave, feeling pleased with matters so far.

Madam Delongue had not declared for Hereswith in the battle of social influence.

But they were certainly people with mutual interests and causes to discuss, and nothing had come up which made a more direct alliance a problem.

And Madam Delongue was just as clever and witty as Bess remembered.

From there, Bess made two stops, minor errands.

Well, one was the tea shop, which was certainly important, but the errand was simple enough.

They already had the order ready to go, and payment had already been handled.

Hereswith had wanted to make sure she had plenty of their blend on hand at the Council Keep, and certainly decent tea might improve some of her meetings.

From there, she went along to the Field, to find it was in the lull between luncheon and tea, and that Adelaide wanted a moment of her time.

Once she was settled into a quieter corner of the conversation room, Adelaide pulled up a chair.

“It’s been some weeks since we’ve had a chance to talk, and a number of changes for you.

” That was blunt, but it was the kind of intent and deliberate blunt that made dealing with Bess’s fellow Horses so much easier.

She did not have to pull each word to pieces as she had with Madam Delongue.

“Are you checking on whether I’m all right or something else?” Two could play this game this way, and Bess was rewarded with a smile.

“Both. A few people have mentioned worries about you. Isolated on an estate, and one in mourning. And while Magistra Rowan is one of us, people are still sorting out what it means now.”

“That she’s got all sorts of fancy. Oh, if we keep to an equestrian metaphor, many pieces of new tack and training to go with it.

And it changes the status in the herd, inescapably.

” Bess turned her palm up. “She’s aware.

We’ve discussed it at some length. When she’s able to entertain again, I expect some of that will be eased. ”

“You are not bored, there? There must be rather a lot of time when she is busy with private matters.”

Bess did not snigger. Bess was entirely too well brought up to do so, never mind that some of those very private matters were, in fact, shared.

What she did was consider how much to tell Adelaide.

Adelaide kept secrets, but she used the information people told her to quietly suggest particular conversations or events or other such connections.

After a moment’s consideration, Bess said, “Not bored at all, no. I’m taking on more of the household management, to make sure Hereswith can do only those parts she prefers to handle herself.

” Using the first name was deliberate. “Beyond that, I am her companion. Conversation in the evenings, company on walks, and so on.”

Adelaide nodded slowly. “And you are not interested in another position of any kind?”

“No.” Bess made it gentle again, but then added, “Though if I may ask about what you were thinking of, perhaps I know someone else who might. I am lucky in my situation now, but that so often isn’t the case.”

“There has been some commentary— well, you heard a little of it directly, some weeks ago— that you might be unable to leave. Now, I know Hereswith better than that, but you should know there’s been a little more speculation. Mostly not from our House, of course.”

“But their guests. If you have a chance to put a word in the appropriate ears, no, I am entirely satisfied. I expect the current situation to give me exceptional amounts of scope for my interests, over time, and I am glad to be patient for the moment. Besides, while Hereswith is not entertaining, it gives me a chance to get more familiar with the household and how things have been done.”

“You expect to be there for a good while, then?” Adelaide raised an eyebrow.

“I do. I’ve had other options made available, but I find myself well settled. And Hereswith and I have not yet run out of things to talk about. It seems unlikely we shall, honestly.”

Adelaide nodded once more, then said, “You heard, perhaps, that I am considering a proper successor, in due course. I don’t wish to give up my work just yet, but having someone to take on some of it, and learn the rest, that appeals. Perhaps fewer times up and down the stairs in a day.”

“Stairs are hard on the knees, at my age, and certainly more than that,” Bess agreed. “And more so here, I suspect, all of it in public.”

“Rather, yes.” Adelaide offered a smile, the sort that made it clear they were peers in this. “The position requires discretion, of course, and good judgement. An ability to get on with a wide range of people. And of course, an ability to take a range of problems, needs, and complaints in stride.”

“Ah, and those are difficult to hire for with confidence,” Bess agreed. She was about to say something more when she raised an eyebrow at a movement at the far end of the room. “That is Helena Judson-Wright.”

“Ah. Do you wish to be interrupted or not?” Adelaide offered a half-smile. “Speaking of navigating new situations.”

“If you don’t mind pausing our conversation, I admit I’m curious about why she wishes to speak. If it looks difficult, do come back with whatever excuse suits.”

“I appreciate you as a woman who understands how this is best done.” Adelaide stood, leaving the chair at a convenient angle for Helena Judson-Wright to sit if she chose.

Helena was the daughter of Madam Judson’s younger brother, and three years younger than Bess.

They had never been close, but Helena had never been difficult, either.

Her other family members did that more than sufficiently.

Adelaide paused by her for a moment, and then Helena approached.

“Mistress Marley— Bess. I hope I might impose for a minute? I wasn’t expecting to see you, but now that I have...” It was not particularly well framed, but it was also a reasonable opening statement.

“Of course. Something particular, then?” Bess did not offer to order tea or anything like that. Adelaide would see to some for her in due course, but tea implied a long enough conversation to drink it, and Bess was not sure about that yet.

“Well. Aunt Aspasia, I mean.” Helena worried a little at her reticule, looking down. “She’s been terribly angry since you left.”

Bess raised an eyebrow. “Left, is that how she’s putting it?” She did not offer an explanation beyond that.

“She said,” Helena began, then she stopped. “Oh.”

“Your aunt has reasons for the way she’s presenting things. I am quite certain she does not want me back.”

“Well. She has kept no one else on since. She’s tried three different companions.” Bess made a mental note to find out who, and whether they had found some better place or needed a hand. Hereswith would want to know, for one, and possibly they could do something to help.

“She made it extremely clear she would not tolerate me in the house one minute longer.” Bess contemplated, and then decided to tell the truth, if in brief.

“Your aunt came home early from the solstice rites, and she was furious I had not yet returned from my own day off. The only day off I’d taken in a calendar year, never mind what was in the contract.

And that only from noon. When I returned— right up to the minute, I’ll admit, but not late— she turned me out, that night, with none of my possessions.

Solicitors handled the matter, with my experience given under the truth charms.”

“Oh.” Helena swallowed. “Oh. She didn’t— she’s been saying that you left, you gave no proper notice. Or before that, she was saying you had stolen.”

“That would be the solicitors,” Bess said. “No, I won’t go back. I have a much better place these days. Including time off for my own conversations and interests.”

Helena sank into herself. “I shouldn’t have bothered you. Just, it’s been so difficult for everyone, and Elaine and Sophronia are beside themselves.”

“I’m sure they are. But that is theirs to tend to, and not mine. I’ve my own work.” It came out a tad prim, but that wouldn’t do any harm here. “I hope you and your husband are otherwise well? And your little ones?” There. That pleasantry would do as a closing note.

Helena was, at least, glad to talk about her children briefly. The youngest was learning to read at the moment, which provided a few amusing stories. When that topic had been given due time— a few minutes, nothing more— Helena stood and excused herself.

Bess watched her go before drawing out her book. She would enjoy her afternoon, and she would have several interesting things to tell Hereswith tonight.