“I will not be telling Maylis what we discuss. Nor Clovis nor Chrodechildis. I may discuss it with Dagobert. We rarely keepsecrets from each other.” That was also far more blunt than Thessaly had expected. “I do not promise to answer all your questions, of course. But I know what it’s like to marry into the family, and the, what shall we call it, the thorns that can present.”
Thessaly nodded, then took a breath. “Would I be correct in understanding that there is more distance between you and your husband and the rest of the family? I’ve seen a little of it myself, but I am trying to understand the scope and the implications.” Then, she took the risk and added, “Around the time of your husband’s misfortune.”
Laudine did not move for a second. Her control was excellent. Then she cleared her throat. “As all families like ours tend to, the Fortiers have particular projects and secrets.”
“That is no surprise, of course. I presumed they existed, though, well, Childeric did not communicate well about even those things he might reasonably have shared. But I could see some of the shadows of them, even if they made no sense.”
“Just so.” Her tone was prim and precise, but Laudine offered a half-smile, clarifying that whatever disapproval she felt, it was not about Thessaly. “My husband disagreed with certain actions, and was cursed for his disagreement. By two people at the same time, hence the lingering impact, or so our Healer thinks. An unanticipated combination.”
Thessaly forgot to breathe for several long moments. “Oh.” Time for another risk, then. “By others in the family.”
“Yes. Though I won’t name who.” Laudine considered. “I knew nothing of the plan at the time, and I do not know most of the details now, just the outline. But when Dagobert began to recover, to talk about any of it - he is hedged round with oaths, of course, which makes talking about details complex - we made our decisions. I am committed to the wellbeing of my husband and sons.” That plural made Thessaly’s eyebrows go up. Laudinesmiled more broadly this time. “We’re fairly certain. I had my midwife’s visit yesterday. We won’t be telling the family for another few weeks, just to be sure.”
“They would have different opinions about a son than a daughter, yes,” Thessaly said. That made her consider. “Bradamante wasn’t involved in whatever it was, was she? The way Yves has been making more of his own pursuits.”
“Ah, you spotted that, of course. They have not been as subtle as they might be, for those paying attention. No, she was not, though I believe she has some general understanding of the project.” Laudine shrugged slightly.
It made Thessaly confront the next question. “Childeric and Sigbert?”
Laudine gave a very slight nod, the sort of thing an observer had to be focused on to notice. Which meant Thessaly could not usefully press the point. “And others on the estate? Magistra Landry has been— erm, especially pointed about a few things?”
“With us, as well. May I ask if there was a direction to her advice?”
“She...” Thessaly did not want to get Magistra Landry in difficulty, for several reasons, starting with Thessaly’s desire for her own wellbeing. “She bid me be cautious of Sigbert.” It was perhaps time to admit to something. “Childeric was increasingly difficult, in private. He did not bother to tell me things that I should have been told. Childeric was acting against the scope of the betrothal and marriage agreements. He almost struck me at one point. Sigbert has promised he would not do that, but I do not know how far I might actually trust him.”
“Ah.” Laudine stood then, to go look out the windows on the lawn. “I wish I could say that my nephews - those nephews - are the sort of men I wish they were. Let me say that I am not surprised either by Childeric’s actions or by Sigbert swearing he will not do the same. I do think Sigbert wishes to be different,but I do not know if he will manage it. I think Maylis is pressuring him in ways that cannot end well, for one thing. Not for him, and not for you, if you agree to marry him.”
“And your sister-in-law, and her husband, are very present. As is the Dowager Lady Chrodechildis.” Thessaly could spell that out without further trouble.
“Just so. And so, I cannot advise you on what decisions to make. You have a better sense of the landscape, of the pressures you face. And I am aware, even if Maylis is not giving credence to it, that you certainly have other options, depending on your preferences and priorities.” There, she turned around. “Dagobert has enjoyed his conversations with Vitus Deschamps quite a lot. So has my father, who is perhaps the more challenging to win over. You need not protest your innocence, you are not promised to anyone right now, you have standing in your own right. I, myself, would welcome you to the family if you married Sigbert, but you should not decide on that account, certainly. And my enjoyment of your company is not predicated on a family connection.”
It was, all in all, a frank assessment. “I shall take more time to consider my options then. And perhaps visit, again? This is certainly a beautiful estate. A much larger home than Bryn Glas. of course.”
“I would be delighted to take you through, if you like. The gardens aren’t much, it is December, but the house itself is rather lovely. A bit big for just the three of us and the staff, but plenty of space for Dagobert’s lab and a library and such. He’s considering acquiring an apprentice or assistant in the new year, as well. I shan’t rush your tea, of course.”
From there, the conversation went along to the history of the house - early Tudor, as Thessaly had guessed. Laudine was clearly fond of the house and its history. She shared little details of additions and enhancements, making it clear she foundmany of the older features charming. Even the ones that were distinctly unfashionable.
16
DECEMBER 10TH IN TRELLECH
“Thank you, yes, there. Now the deposit is properly registered. I’ll be in touch with more details about the timing once I’ve had a chance to work out the proper calculations. Sometime around January second or third for the working, and then some additional time for the setting.”
“And you’re certain you can’t do it sooner?” The woman in front of him wasn’t being presumptuous or demanding, instead she was something more like plaintive. Mistress Fellowes was yet another referral from the Carringtons.
“I’m afraid not. For the best potency, we really do want the moon moving through the constellation of Perseus. The sun might be better still, but I’m certain you don’t want to wait for April or May.”
“No, no, not that. If you say early January, then, well, I suppose I’ll continue being cautious about going out in the rain.” The woman twisted her hands slightly. “And you’ll let me know the costs?”
“Of course. I’ll be going to London to select coral for the work later this week. And I’ve noted your preference for white coral, but also your agreement for the best piece for thepurpose.” Vitus had, in fact, made quite a few notes, well beyond his usual form for a consultation.
“The red pink is lovely, but it’s so hard to match to anything to wear, isn’t it? Though, of course, I want it for what it does, not what it looks like.” She stood, rather abruptly, and Vitus stood as well, moving to pull the chair she’d been sitting in back. “I should let you do your calculations, shouldn’t I?”
“Let me walk you out, of course. Here, this way. The cafe across the street does some lovely baking, if you’d like to sit for a moment and gather yourself.” They tended to let him buy what hadn’t sold at a discount, and he cheerfully mentioned them to his clients. That was a delightful and often tasty symbiosis.
Once she was making her way across the street— indeed, to the cafe— Vitus retreated back upstairs to his workspace. That was the third consultation this week wanting protection against lightning, and it was only Tuesday. He’d have to consider, rather carefully, how many talismans he might make during the proper hours. Ideally, he’d get out away from the bustle of the city for it. Perhaps Thessaly would allow him to do the work up at Bryn Glas. The enchantment of the stones didn’t need any particular tools or space, though the carving and setting would. He didn’t much fancy being outside in very early January with bare hands, but needs must. And all three clients so far had been very willing to pay well, not even questioning the deposit or summaries of the cost.
It was all rather baffling. He’d inquired, each time, if there was some particular reason for the desire. Each time, they’d said they’d had horrible dreams of a lightning storm. Vitus couldn’t see a pattern in them. Two had come via referrals from the Carringtons, the other entirely independently, he’d been at some of the electricity lectures. They lived in different parts of Albion; they did not have any obvious shared familyconnections. Thessaly would probably know, if he got a chance to ask her.
