Lamont laughed at that, looking pleased. “We might discuss this more in a moment, when we are done with the truth charms, but the gossip about your time with Mistress Matthewman has been informative.”
Griffin nodded once more. “We can come back to that.” He considered pressing further, but it turned out that was the sort of thing where he would rather not have truth so tangibly present when Lamont answered. Given that there were still things he hoped but did not know for certain. “If you have any concerns about my ability to become Heir and - in due course - into your seat, would you please share them now?”
“My concerns are those I stated recently. Or further back. They have to do, at this point, with how others perceive you and your competence, whether they can have sufficient trust in your ability to do the work.” Lamont touched his fingertips to each other, steepling his hands. “I do not have any concerns myself, at this point. Especially now.” He flicked one finger, and Griffin promptly let the truth charms fall away, taking a moment to breathe as they receded.
When he looked up again, Lamont was watching him. “You know you are skilled with them. Even when it is me you are calling them to.”
“I appreciate you did not resist, sir. And that you expanded the answer you did.” Griffin took a breath, measured it with a few heartbeats, and let it out. “Mistress Matthewman?”
“You know people talk.” Lamont’s voice was very gentle. “Sometimes unkindly. That you have been seen with an appealing and talented woman your age, socially, has caused gossip. Mostly in your favour. She has looked delighted to be with you. And when you have met up with others, she has not looked at them beyond politeness. She has focused on you. People notice.”
“Especially extremely observant people, and we know quite a few.” Griffin rubbed his face. “You’ve talked to, oh, half a dozen of those.”
“More like a dozen, yes. A couple who came to me to tattle on you. That you were, apparently, skiving off work.” Lamont raised a hand. “I know you weren’t. You did, however, leave the building at the end of the workday more often than your usual.”
“And to be entirely fair, a non-trivial part of my evenings and such have also been spent working. Just at home. With company.” Griffin let out a breath. “She and I are still sorting out what that means. I won’t press her, even if it matters for ... this. Your timeline. She gets the time she needs.”
Lamont nodded. “Perhaps you and she might come and dine with me and my wife? After May Day, I’m afraid I’ve a dozen commitments between now and then.” It was, Griffin suspected, as much of a hint as he was going to get about any actual decision. Either Lamont would let him down privately, kindly, or he would share that Griffin was his choice. Either way, arguing wouldn’t change anything.
“Of course, sir. We’d be glad to. I’ll check if there’s anything she’s scheduled that might be a consideration.” Griffin hesitated, not sure what else to say.
Lamont was watching him, steadily. “It is not, precisely, that I think you need a partner, though I can also see why some people think so. A married man is, like it or not, seen as more reliable and settled than an unmarried one. People are so often foolish.”
“And most people do not see the divorces and marital disagreements that come through our doors,” Griffin pointed out.
“No. Indeed.” It made Lamont chuckle, then settle. “But the way you have gone about introducing her to Trellech has highlighted, shall we say, the range of people you know. And, perhaps more pointedly, the things you consider important about the city. It has illuminated - along with your actual work - your gifts at forming partnerships, good working relationships, with others. That is certainly one successful and well-proven way to lead the Courts, and to tend the land magic.”
“But not the only one.” That was the trick of it. Lamont still had only given the tiniest hint of what his preferences were for his successor.
“No.” Lamont leaned back. “All right. Walk me through where you are for the room you’re preparing. What came out of that meeting you were having on Wednesday, finalising the talismanic work?” The questions Lamont asked from there made it entirely clear he had the full proposal front of mind. He consulted a sheet of notes only for a few of the specific measurement details. By the time Lamont sent him off to enjoy his evening, Griffin felt like he’d sat for an oral exam again, but had come out looking competent.
Chapter38
APRIL 25TH
By the next Monday, Annice was itching to get back to work. Griffin had come home Friday evening from his conversation with Lamont very thoughtful. It was, however, the sort of thoughtful that wasn’t coming out in words, not yet. That’s what he’d said, and that was also what Annice had already sorted out. It was like he was staring at the inside of his head, the way she did when she was contemplating carving something unusual. One couldn’t rush the process.
She, on the other hand, was still thoroughly in the early stages of learning more about Niobe’s craft. For one thing, it was something that took years of study, even if Annice had something of a head start when it came to the stonework. She’d never worked even with semi-precious stones other than jet or with anything like faceting. But she had done smoothing and polishing for the ammonites, and jet needed a delicacy that had set her up well for the current learning.
That morning, she had been handed a piece of blue chalcedony, accompanied by a lecture on its various uses. There was a piece of lore about Cicero, the Roman orator, wearing it. Niobe had settled in her chair, pulling a tray of stones between them. Some of them had been polished or even cut, others hadn’t been. “It’s a popular gift for solicitors and barristers, as well as senior Ministry staff. Anyone who makes their living speaking words. Ideally worn at the throat, a cameo or carved piece as a tiepin or a pendant, for example, or a faceted stone.”
Annice looked down at the stones, then back up to Niobe. “And you’re saying this would make a suitable gift for Griffin?”
“Just so. The stone comes and goes in fashion, and right now these pieces, none of them were terribly expensive by my standards.”
Annice said, bemused, “You work in sapphire and emerald and ruby.” She’d learned, her second week, the reason for all the protections on the shop. There were many stones that were stored there, even if the bulk of Niobe’s uncut stock lived deep in the vaults of one of the Trellech banks, complete with a dragon to guard it.
Niobe waved a hand. “You’ve been doing good work. We can count this in provided supplies. Enough to make a talisman and a seal or engraved piece, if you like.” Niobe smiled. “His name suggests some particular imagery.”
“Griffins are a horribly difficult shape to get right,” Annice said, promptly. “I’ve been trying to sketch decent ones for...” She stopped short suddenly, because she’d started just about when they got to Trellech, and she hadn’t admitted it to anyone yet.
Niobe raised an eyebrow and then changed the subject. “I’ve books of art. You could do something like an illumination. There’s an appeal to that. And there are charms for taking a sketch and giving you working lines on the stone. That’s a tremendous help. Much more delicate than the physical transfer methods.”
Annice nodded, then she looked up at Niobe. “Where do we start, then?” She was the one staying late at work that night, though it was raining, and she’d already told Griffin to meet her at home. As she was pulling on her raincoat and contemplating the umbrella, Niobe cleared her throat. “You could ask Griffin about a journal. If you’re willing. There are the much less expensive options that just connect to one other person, or a small number. But I find it terribly helpful in my business, for correspondence with clients, as well as managing my life.”
The magical journals were a wonder, but still terribly expensive. As much as an automobile, far more than Annice could spend. It would be terribly convenient - she’d feel much less guilty about Griffin taking her places or waiting on her. Some of that must have shown in her face, because Niobe said, “Ask him. He likely knows some of the less expensive options.”
“Griffin seems to know everyone.” Annice let out a breath. “I’ll think about it. Tomorrow then? I’ll try some more sketches tonight while he’s busy.”
