“Sigbert.” Vitus grunted. “Has he, this week, I mean, has he pressured you more?”
“He insisted on taking me to lunch on Wednesday. It was a tad awkward. I’ve bruises up my arm from duelling.” She held up her arm. “Or I did then. The salve’s done wonders.”
“Lucas recommends that one, and he should know. He ends up bruised all the time. Horses being as they are, and cavalry officers, even more so, I gather.” Something in that made Vitus smile. She’d noticed that, in how fondly he spoke about his brother.
“Please tell him thank you, then, when you get a chance. If you would.” Thessaly let out a slow breath. “You bring what you need for your work. I’ll be prepared to explore and see what I can figure out. At least we might make some notes? Bring some information back?”
“I’m not going to talk you out of this, am I?” Vitus asked.
“No.” Thessaly felt it was essential to be clear on this.
“And if I don’t go with you, you’ll lurk around the outside, even if you can’t get in.”
“Yes.” She tilted her head. “I might try talking Sigbert into showing me. I’d really rather not, though. I’m not at all sure what that would involve.”
“Perish the thought.” He stretched, and Thessaly was very much distracted in the arch of his body. He was not a physically impressive sort, not like some duellists she knew were. But there was something elegant about him, and especially when he relaxed like this, letting her see things no one else got to watch. “I’ve a talisman for light, one for privacy that will mute sound. I’ll see what else I can gather.”
“I’ll bring what seems sensible from the household stocks of potions. And I did find Aunt Metaia’s kit. There are some useful things in there. I even know how to use most of them.”
Something in her comment made Vitus smile suddenly. “Well. If it’s most of them.” He reached for her hand. “I’m still nervous. I’m not going to tell you to run if it’s dangerous. After all, I know you’re more capable in a duel than I am by far, and I assume that goes for a other dangers as well. But don’t take unnecessary risks, please?”
“You either. If you don’t, I don’t. That’s fair, isn’t it?” Thessaly met his eyes, hoping it was.
“Fair.” Then he took a breath, deliberately, and let it out. “You had some ideas about distracting me, yes?”
“Oh, I did!” Her voice went up, almost to the edge of shrill. She twisted, her robe falling open more than a little, as she reached for the book on the bedside table. “The bookmarks.”
She didn’t bother pulling the wrapper closed as she turned back, handing him the book. He, now, he was watching her, rather focused on her chest, before he looked up at her face and blushed. Then he thumbed through. “Did you have— my.” Vitus stopped on the first. “I’m fairly sure you’re flexible enough for that one, but I’m not certain I am.” It involved her legs bent back to her ears, her hips raised.
“We can try it?” she said. “But I thought not tonight, especially if you’re tired. Try the second.” That had her straddling him, though this time facing away from him.
The pages turned, and he looked at her again. “I rather like watching you. But we could start that way, you in my lap, my hands all over you. I like that idea, actually.”
“There.” Thessaly grinned at him. “This was the much simpler discussion. And we can change our minds and do something else if we prefer. Here, you get settled.” She rolled off the bed to remove the wrapper and then consider how toremove her nightgown. She turned over her shoulder to find that he’d stripped nearly as quickly, his back against the head of the bed and the propped up pillows. He was not yet fully hard, but she was entirely certain that would not be a problem for long.
Laughing, she pulled her nightgown over her head in a billow of white cloth, before she circled the bed to perch next to him. Kissing first, then touching, and then they would certainly find something glorious together. She had every faith in that. Tomorrow would come in due course, and they would see it through together as well.
26
JANUARY 18TH AT ARUNDEL
Vitus remained entirely uncertain about this plan, but he had not come up with a better one. And he had to acknowledge that Thessaly both knew how things were done at Arundel far better than he did and was a far better strategist at speed. So now, here they were, about to go through the portal from Bryn Glas. He was wearing his voluminous cloak; she was wearing duelling clothes.
That, he had simple feelings about. Vitus found the outfit fascinating. He kept comparing what he could see of her body— feet and ankles, for example— with what was hidden behind the billowing fabric of the bloomers. Or whatever they were properly called. She had bracers on her forearms to corral the fabric from the sleeves. And she wore boots that came up her calves, laced, the sort that offered both support and good footing.
She’d also forgone any cloak of her own. He’d blinked at that, and she’d shrugged. “Warming charms. And I want to be able to move freely.” Vitus had to admit that multiple yards of wool were not lightweight at all.
Vitus had presented her with a talisman that would encourage anyone looking toward it to pass on by what theysaw, or get distracted looking in the other direction. Nothing worth seeing right there. He wasn’t entirely sure how it worked, actually; it was one of those methods passed down from person to person, but the accompanying theory had been lost to time.
Perhaps she could help him work it out and improve it. It must rely on at least some of the same theory as illusion work. He paused at the Bryn Glas portal long enough for her to cast a series of illusions. When she was done, he could barely see where she was, even when her hand was on his wrist and he knew.
When they came out of the portal on the far side, he was pleased to see the weather wasn’t unpleasant. They’d settled on arriving at about half-three, after the Fortiers should be gone, but with enough light to get a look at the mill in daylight. Vitus nodded at the footman who was waiting, somewhat relaxed. The man jumped to attention before realising it was Vitus, who did not rate that kind of effort.
“Good afternoon. I believe Magister Montague mentioned I might be by? I wanted a look at the project we’re working on.”
“Sir.” There was a slight nod. “As you wish, sir. Please don’t enter into the estate proper. Do you know how long you’ll be?”
“I wasn’t planning to. And it might be an hour, it might be a few. It depends how long my measurements take, and if I find any differences once the sun has set. I brought a lantern or two for a charmlight.” Vitus managed a nod, smooth enough for what was needed, and then set off. He could feel Thessaly to his left. She was keeping his body between herself and the footman. But a glance back showed the footman had sat again. He was watching the portal, rather than keeping an eye on them until they got around the bend in the path.
