d'enanigans: is calling it "the climax" too on point?

[nothing_to_fear]

This house has a very pleasant room for receiving honored guests.

In the fashion of House Shahrizai, the walls are richly tapestried (though not in identifying colors) and the couches are soft, finely upholstered. He has ordered the servants to stand ready with wine and light refreshment, and readier still to act should negotiations sour.

Jonathan sent a man to wait for Brix; he himself went upstairs to check on Matthieu. Finding him asleep, but well enough and in no danger, he returned to this room to wait.

He is reading a book of plants and their uses as they come in to light the torches.

Comments

[gothamsheiress]

How much time does Havelock need? How much is she going to need to promise to keep Grue de Agen focused here, on her, rather than on his prisoner upstairs?

"I--"

She swallows the aggressive response -- I am Kusheline, not heretical and mad -- and follows it with the barest sip of wine.

"I still don't understand."

[nothing_to_fear]

"You understand well enough, I expect."

Jonathan really hates dealing with people.

"Of course, if you have a question I may answer, I'd hardly begrudge you."

[gothamsheiress]

"What can you hope to gain from a marriage to me?"

A forced marriage in particular.

[nothing_to_fear]

He lifts his goblet and considers it without drinking.

"Is that what you fail to understand, my lady? Surely you can see some advantage in it."

[gothamsheiress]

"My father's estate, I suppose -- is that what you want? If it's only the money, then we can come to an arrangement, I assure you."

[nothing_to_fear]

"Yes," he agrees absently, "and it's this one."

This time his smile is a bit thin.

"I wouldn't worry, my lady. As you find me despicable, I expect it to be a marriage in name only."

[gothamsheiress]

"Oh," acidly, "I am relieved."

[nothing_to_fear]

"In which case, I wonder what your decision will be."

[gothamsheiress]

She shakes her head.

"I will not let you send Matthieu into slavery. I cannot."

[nothing_to_fear]

Jonathan sighs.

He doesn't look terribly disappointed.

"Very well. I'll have to give the order, then."

[gothamsheiress]

Brix jerks upright.

"No."

[nothing_to_fear]

Jonathan holds up a hand for wait to the servant by the door, who is looking at him questioningly.

"I understand you may need more time."

[gothamsheiress]

"My lord," she forces out, "I beg of you to reconsider. I -- let me speak with Matthieu when he wakes. I can convince him to say nothing of this."

[nothing_to_fear]

"Oh, it's too late for that."

He shakes his head.

"I've received my own orders, and they won't countenance undue delay. Nor, I expect, will they be impressed with the promise of a courtesan's secrecy."

[gothamsheiress]

"--Your orders?"

[nothing_to_fear]

His lips quirk.

"I created neither your choices nor Matthieu's. But I am to ensure you make them in good time."

[gothamsheiress]

"But--"

She stops herself, shakes her head.

"No. I don't suppose you'd tell me who's pulling your strings."

[nothing_to_fear]

A shake of his head.

"I'm afraid not."

[gothamsheiress]

(Oh, she could kill him. She should kill him. She brought two flechettes with her, tucked into her bodice and and easy to grab, and she is quite sure she could cross the room and slit his throat before he could stop her. No doubt the guards would kill her in turn -- and more importantly, they would likely kill Matthieu.

Where is Havelock? They must have made it into the house by now, and the fact that there has been no uproar means that he has not been discovered yet. Have they made their escape?)

She breathes in -- breathes out.

"And if I say yes, now," she says, very quiet, "then what happens, my lord?"

[nothing_to_fear]

"If," Jonathan says, "you say yes, then I send word, and I send Matthieu to safety. We arrange a discreet date, announce our engagement to a few ... I expect we shall wish to see the matter settled within the month."

[gothamsheiress]

"I see."

She puts aside her wine and rubs her face with one hand, thinking as quickly as she can.

[nothing_to_fear]

Jonathan waits.

By his elbow and at the door, the Kusheline servants wait as well. Jonathan has no doubt that although they have been delegated to him, their true loyalty is to House Shahrizai.

They've a talent for inspiring loyalty, those of Kushiel's line-- perhaps compelling it.

He himself is only a scholar.

[gothamsheiress]

". . . Will you grant me one request?" she asks, her tone heavy with hopelessness.

[nothing_to_fear]

Interesting.

"What is it?"

[gothamsheiress]

"Don't send Matthieu away until tomorrow night," quietly.

"I cannot -- I cannot make this choice for him with a clear conscience, you understand. Not as a fellow Servant of Naamah. I would like to speak with him tomorrow, make him understand. And I would like time to make my peace with Naamah and Elua -- with Matthieu beside me, if he -- if he will still speak to me, after -- after."