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The Star Chamber: Gallery

(Day 12)

It was the day appointed for the first hearings into the case of Decuma Maun versus the Duchy of Aquila, the case over which the Papal Legate was to preside - and the Star Chamber, scene of the Cabinet Meetings.

This was a large hall that had been put aside for this purpose, and decorated with much gilt, and a blue ceiling patterned with the stars from Aquila's heavens. This had given the room its new name of 'The Star Chamber' (it had formerly been known as the smaller banqueting room).

In the centre of the room was a square table. Normally, along one side sat the representatives of the five Houses Major. On the two sides left and right of that sat the representatives of the Houses Minor. The fourth side completed the square, but contained only a single, empty chair - in recognition of the position that would one day be occupied by the Duke.

Today, that arrangement had been altered. The table had been moved to one side - a place for clerks to sit and scribble their notes. A group of chairs had been arranged in a semi-circle under a half-canopy of heavy white silk, fringed with gold. And before them, on a slightly lower level, was a single, black chair for the witness.

Most striking of all was the gallery that had been constructed on three sides of the room. This was unprecedented - but Delan had decreed that the government of Aquila should be open (if not accountable). Thus members of the public and, indeed, of the press, were allowed to attend the Cabinet meetings. These visitors were carefully searched before being allowed to view the gathering, and Aquilan guards were stationed in attendance at regular intervals both in the gallery and on the main floor.

Today, any Aquilan of the respectable sort who wished to attend the proceedings would be able to do so - as long as they were not expecting to be summoned as witnesses.

The great double doors of the Chamber were now open, and people were starting to enter.

Among the first was the lugubrious figure of Roderigo, Lord Oswestry. He entered slowly, heavily, looking around with an expression of unfettered gloom. One would assume he had been invited to attend the funeral of his nearest and dearest, only to discover that he'd been left out of the Will.

With a deep sigh he made his way to what looked to be the most confortabble of the armchairs in the semi-circle, and seated himself.

Rosalor, Lady Bahlmis, was also prompt in her arrival. The straight, severe lines of her gown recalled, without quite being, academic dress; its color also echoed the blue customarily worn by members of the Women's College, with only the narrowest edging of red and cream. The whole seemed to suggest that for this occasion the scholar was uppermost rather than the Head of House. Her grey eyes, still keen in her aged face, swept the Chamber speculatively as she seated herself, leaving an empty chair between herself and Lord Oswestry.

Severe in a plain black cassock with neither colored trim nor collar, Ronan O'Byrne entered the chamber through a side door. He strode quickly but in eerie silence to the side table, commanding the seat nearest the dais and the attending nobility - the better to provide the Cardinal quickly with anything that should prove needful. He arranged his portfolio and notes, inkpot and stylus to his liking at the table corner, looked briefly around, and retreated to the antechamber whence he had come.

Lord Romeo Acciaio entered, his arms also full of notes. It had taken a good bit of cajoling and reminding his aunt that the Dragon had wanted him to follow in family traditions to get her to allow him to clerk for her. He acknowledged the leaving deacon with a nod and set about getting his own papers and supplies in order and took a seat.

Lord Creoni and Lord Greywood entered together, deep in conversation apparently - but anyone who came close would discover they were discussing the construction of a new factory for the manufacture of cloth, using some interesting new Aquilan dyes - there would need to be access to water, which would not run off into any rivers. It might need an attached purification plant - although Lord Greywood was relectant to undertake the expense of that if Lord Creoni had other suggestions ....

Both men paused to bow to Lady Bahlmis before moving to take their seats.

"Lord Greywood." Rosalor greeted Olivia's husband with a smile. "And Lord Creoni -- it is good to see you in the city. It has been some years, has it not?"

Lady Ofelia entered next, dressed severely for the occasion, looking as if she had gotten very little sleep. After proper greetings, she flashed Rosalor an apologetic smile before taking her own seat.

To an observant eye, Rosalor might be seen trying to stifle a smile of her own.

The Cardinal entered, dressed in the full vestments of his holy office. His gaze scanned the galleries before offering simple nods of aknowledgement to his fellow comissioners. Micahle took his seat in the center and regarded the witness chair before offering Deacon O'Byrne the suggestion to begin.

Lord Oswestry sat solemnly on his chair, waiting for events to start. Eventually he leaned across and muttered to Lady Bahlmis and Ofelia, "Who're we expecting to turn up today, then?"

"Whoever the Cardinal wishes to question on the matter, I expect," answered Rosalor. "It will be at his discretion."

With a solemnity that seemed a trifle forced on the youthful Deacon's face, O'Byrne called the meeting to order and, as the murmurs of conversation in the gallery died down, moved to open the door to a side hallway where the day's first witness was waiting.

"The panel of inquiry calls forth Lady Nira Lagoran," O'Byrne intoned, and held the door for her Ladyship.

The door opened. There was a pause - a long pause.

Then Nira Lagoran entered the chamber, dressed in her favourite black. A tight bodice and a full skirt - she seemed to float rather than walk across the Star Chamber to the seat that had been appointed for her. Her head was covered by a black veil, which she raised to show her ethereally fair face. She turned to face the judges and curtseyed fully, but did not take a seat immediately. Instead she sank into a deep curtsey and, straightening, spoke to the Cardinal.

Meanwhile up in the Gallery... Drew Bahlmis muttered softly to himself (but Treasa can overhear it), "I just knew I was delegated to the lackey."

"Your Eminence - might my legal advisor have a seat beside me?"

Then she turned her fair head and smiled slightly at the man who had entered with her.

Nicola Acciaio smiled at well, and bowed before the judges. He was also dressed in black, with a pin of gold and red and green at his lapel- the house colors of Acciaio.

"Lord Acciaio, for Lady Lagoran," he said. "Ab consiliari."

Ofelia was half out of her seat, but relaxed- a little- at his words. She still looked pole-axed.

This prompted Drew to laugh quietly out loud. "Oh well done," he whispered to no one at all.

He turned and flashed a smile at Treasa. "No disrespect to young Harold, I just appreciate a well executed move."

Treasa simply nodded. She had no real idea what he was talking about but there was no point in letting Drew know that. Like usual though, he seemed to see right through her.

"You're following all of this aren't 'Resa?" Drew asked pleasantly. "I know you think I'm patronizing, but if you have any questions, just ask me. I think it's fascinating really. And, if you're going to live here you might as well get used to it." He inclined his head towards the distant Lord Acciaio down on the main floor. "That was a surprise move. Like three dimensional chess, they just dropped him down from above."

Drew frowned. "Except I can't play," he added with a shrug.

There was a rustle of fabric from a little way above him, and a soft, throaty laugh. Vivien Greywood was wearing an exciting dress of pale yellow brocade and her soft curls were mostly down, cascading over one shoulder. It was impossible to say what she was laughing at.

He glanced up at the others arranging themselves in the Gallery, and followed the laughter to its source. Drew turned partially in his chair to look back at Vivien. He gave her a smirk. The thought of that exquisite sound nuzzled in his ear while coiled up in bed flashed through his mind. As well as the idea that perhaps he should find some way to distract Treasa.

Treasa nodded again, trying to smile this time as proof of understanding. It did not work. "It is interesting. And I understand the main parts. But I think you may have to explain all the nuances to me later. Don't disturb the others by trying to do it now though," she said and genuinely meant it. She would absorb everything now and work on comprehending later.

He glanced up at the others arranging themselves in the Gallery. "Speaking of which, there's Lord Giulian. You've met him haven't you?"

The young Heir of Anderon had arrived early enough to get a seat at the front of the Gallery, and was leaning folded arms on the rail, his intent gaze on the drama unfolding below. He didn't seem to have attention to spare for anything but the proceedings in the Chamber. His crutches were propped up beside him, his leather satchel at his feet.

"Oh yes," Treasa replied a bit too quickly and with a bit too much enthusiasm. Catching her mistakes, she felt the color begin to rise in her cheeks. "We've had dinner," she added in an attempt to explain herself. "It was just lovely."

Drew glanced at her face for a brief moment. Something about her reactions suddenly made him become serious; even when the fate of Aquila being decided down below had failed.

Regret that she was so afraid of him.

Quietly arriving with various others, Elissa Chatham settled near the door on the third row. She gave herself both an easy escape route out of the Gallery, but a decent vantage point over most of the Gallery and on the main floor.

Dark chocolate curls were tamed into a beautiful, loose chignon with some flowing over her shoulders. She was dressed in respectable clothes that would have done both a respectable cit maiden or even a noble maiden very well. The dress was a soft sage green brocade and silk mix that she spent some ill-gotten gains on because she couldn't resist the color. A mix of purple ribbon was woven up the front of the dress and down through the skirt. Another purple ribbon was around her throat with an amethyst pendant hanging down while another ribbon was threaded through the chignon and fell with the other dark curls. A simple pair of slipper covered her feet which protected a satchel that was on the floor.

She looked all around the Galley - checking out who was watching the various proceedings as well as if her clever fingers could partake of anything at a later point. She glanced down at the main floor to watch the Lady Nira and her attorney coming in for questioning.

For a thief and spy, it was a rather lovely way to pass a day.

Vivien, too, was keeping an eye on the Gallery at the same time that she watched the proceedings in the Chamber itself, and she definitely noticed the arrival of Elissa. "Quite lovely," she murmured to herself without a hint of jealousy, "I wonder if she'd wear rose..."

Between the new brunette and the blond beauty who had to be Drew's sister Treasa, the audience was beginning to look like prime pickings for fashion show models... if they were interested.

Drew noticed the newcomer as well, with a quick look of appreciation for the young woman. Yet neither of the gorgeous women around pulled his attention completely away from his younger sister. This time, and even over that damn Box, she really would be his priority.

He reached out and covered his hand over Treasa's and gave it a gentle squeeze before taking it back. It was a rare display of affection, but a genuine one nonetheless. He turned in his seat to talk to her very quietly, this time so he would not be overheard or disturb anyone else unduly.

The action pulled her attention immediately to Drew. Her eyes reflected a hint of concern. She remained silent, bracing herself for the sharp words she felt sure were to come.

"We need to talk, and this isn't the time for it, but I'm beginning to think a good time is never going to come. Ever. So better now than then never." He hesitates. "Treasa, if you could find your way to this planet all by yourself, you can have dinner with anyone you choose and my opinion be damned." His eyes flickered towards Guilian. "He's the type who wants to do something with his life. I don't know him at all, but seems like a decent young man."

Relief. A bit of confusion. This was not the speech she was expecting and yet exactly the one she needed. She went on listening afraid her words might ruin the moment.

He glanced back down at the scene below. At Rosalor. "Your great aunt gave me a piece of her mind before we talked. And she's right," he paused, "about a few things anyway." He swallowed quickly. "One day your going to make love to some man, and I can only hope that he's going to treat you well. Then you'll write me a letter, which I may never receive, to tell me that you're going to get married."

She wanted to protest. He was wrong. He had to be. On her wedding day he would be there. It would be Drew who gave her hand to the man of her dreams. That was as it should be, as it would be...

Or would it?

Once upon a time she needed him. Her entire world revolved around her brother and father. After her father's death, Drew was all she had left. But when he did not respond the way she wanted, when he did not give her what her soul needed for its survival, she sought it elsewhere. That search brought her to Aquila. Here she was happy. And independent. She no longer needed her brother to support her. Perhaps a time would come when their differences would separate them further. Not only would she not need his presence, she would no longer want it. Was that their future? Was that what she had set into motion by coming here? God, she hoped not. She would never be able to forgive herself.

Tears welled in her eyes but her silence remained complete.

"Canon law allows for legal counsel before and during preliminary questioning, Lady Nira, but not at this point in the proceedings. Lord Acciaio is welcome to take notes at your side, but I must caution you that you cannot consult with him during today's questioning," he explained evenly. A small wave of his hand prompted one of the court functionaries to produce a chair for the head of house.

Nira stood for a second, quite still, her eyes wide as she gazed at the Cardinal. She half-turned towards the Dragon Lord, her hand lifting as though for support - but then it became a gesture of acceptance. She turned back, and met the gaze of the Legate fully.

"I place my trust in the Court," she said quietly - but her voice carried clearly throughout the chamber. She turned then and smiled at the Dragon Lord, indicating that his mere physical presence would be support enough. Then she seated herself calmly, upright, folding her hands in her lap, the model of modest readiness to answer any questions she might be asked.

Nicola had already opened his mouth, ready to defend his presence as an advisor- there were such precedents, throughout history- but held back when Nira spoke to the court.

Drew turned then in his chair, and proceeded to stare at Lady Nira's near weary collapse as Cardinal Fiore stipulated what role Lord Acciaio was permitted to serve in the preliminaries. Nira was something for Drew to focus his stare on, lest.. he worried.. he might accidentally look at Treasa and demonstrate too much emotion then he felt comfortable with.

"It's one of the two final duties I have to discharge as your guardian," he added matter-of-factly. "Something father couldn't do, so I have to instead. I'm going to have to let you go." He jerked his head towards Guilian like he could really care less. "So don't be dumb. Go on- slip down there and tell that man hello before one of these other women beat you to it."

Go live happily ever after Treasa, he thought to himself. After all, every parent wants their child to have all the things that they didn't.

She nodded slowly and wiped a few stray tears from her cheeks. With a deep breath, she laid her hand upon her brother's arm. "Thank you," she whispered. It was all she could manage. All other words risked opening the gates to her deepest emotions. Now was not the time to deal with them. Quietly she rose up. A last bit of hesitation held her to the spot. This was the wrong time. Drew was right though, if she waited for the right time, it would never come. Leaning down, she whispered words meant only for his ears, "I do love you, brother. Whatever happens, I want you to know that."

Quickly she stood again and allowed her feet to carry her away. A young girl named Treasa had arrived on this planet and spent her first several days trying to make sense of it all. That young girl remained behind, left in the heart of the brother who loved her. He had released the woman within, stripped her of the burdens she carried, and set her off. Mere moments later, she perched herself beside Giulian Anderon. For the first time in her life, Treasa was truly ready to face a future of her own design.

Absorbed as he was in the proceedings below in the Chamber, Giulian noted Treasa's arrival and turned to her with a welcoming smile. "Hullo, Treasa," he greeted her, in a half-whisper pitched to carry only to her ears and not disturb the progress of the hearing.

She laid her hand upon his by way of response, giving it a gentle squeeze. The fingers lingered for a moment before she remembered the rules of propriety once more. Her eyes glimmered brightly through unshed tears. Remarkably, she remained silent.

In the main chamber, the papal legate steepled his fingers before him and took a moment's consideration before he answered.

Elissa turned her head enough to notice that both a young woman, a noble from the look of her, was taking a look at her. Beyond her was a nobleman and a young woman and she felt his eyes glance at her as well.

She looked back at both of them, nodding with a practiced smile, and glanced back down at the main floor to see Lady Nira near collapsing in a chair. Raising a hand, her fingers found and twirled a curl around two fingers as she listened.

Unlike most others in the Gallery, she sat alone and didn't come with a companion or chaperone. Something she knew was unusual for a maiden - cit or noble. Not that many young men would tangle with a Chatham, especially once they knew what she did for a living.

Pushing the dark thoughts out of her head, Elissa glanced around for anything out of the ordinary, knowing this would be a perfect time for something to go wrong. The main people in charge were out in the open and she knew there were some perfect places to stage such an attack. Thanks to the Convent, she knew how to counteract most attacks.

"Lady Lagoran, could you account for the commission the events that occurred when you informed your husband, Duke Maun, of your pregnancy?" the Cardinal began without any other preamble.

Nira drew a breath.

"After the Duke ... dismissed me, I left the city for some months and lived quietly in the countryside. I soon realised that I was going to have a child but ... the circumstances of my departure had been traumatic. I needed time to rest ... and to heal." She looked down to where her hands were suddenly clenched in her lap.

"My companion throughout that time, Lady Morine Lagoran, was anxious that we should return to the city before the birth where I might receive proper medical care. I agreed to her entreaties, but wished us to live quietly. Privately. I had heard little of what was happening in the city - except that I was believed to have died. I thought that Atropos had given out the word so that he might marry his mistress without any objections. I ... I was afraid of what might happen to me if I suddenly revealed myself to be alive, and with child."

She looked up again, straight at the Cardinal. "I feared for us both."

A long pause and then she went on, "My plan to remain hidden came to nothing. I was taken ill. Lady Morine feared for my life, and contacted the housekeeper at Anderon House who had been my childhood nurse. She came to take me to Anderon House, trusting to keep me safe there - for my brother, Lord Anderon, and his wife were generally in residence at the Nest, as he was Duke Atropos' First Minister. But ... I mis-calculated. The night I was taken to Anderon House, there was a reception in progress. Duke Atropos was in attendance with his mistress, Lilly Clover. I ... was seen."

She raised her hand to her face suddenly, as though the memory of that night was terrible to her, and her slender shoulders shook a little.

Lady Bahlmis had been listening attentively to Nira's account and now turned to the Cardinal. "Your Eminence, if I might clarify something about Lady Lagoran's narrative?"

Fiore nodded, simply once.

"Lady Lagoran, to return to an earlier point -- did you, in fact, inform Atropos of your pregnancy?"

Nira turned her gentlest, sweetest smile on Lady Bahlmis. "I did not need to tell him, Lady Bahlmis. When the Duke saw me that night, there was no possibility of disguising my condition from him."

She turned with sudden swiftness towards Nicola, one slender hand reaching out to him, as though for support, but she said softly, "Forgive me - do you have a handkerchief?"

Nicola, of course, did, and produced it immediately for her.

Then she turned back to the Cardinal and the others.

"If you wish to know whether my hus ... the Duke was aware of my situation before that night, then I believe he was ignorant of it. I had not informed him, nor caused him to be informed - I hoped then that he might never learn of it, and that my child and I would be safe in our obscurity."

Fiore studied the noblewoman for a moment before asking, "So, had he been more thorough in his setting you aside and petitioned Cardinal Maun for a divorce, you would have had no objection?"

She smiled wistfully. "I would never have consented to have my legitimately conceived child declared a bastard, my Lord, while my husband's by-blow was thrust into his place by the machinations of those seeking to exploit my husband's good nature.

"But once the situation had moved to this point, I believed that my unborn child and I were in danger. Attempts had already been made to ... remove me. I did not think, once my condition was revealed, that those attempts would slacken. There was, after all, more at stake. I was no longer the barren wife who could so conveniently be forgotten. I was about to be the mother of the heir."

Shortly after Treasa's movement, Victor Hoberty walked through the doors and took a place by the railing. He soon turned to one side so that his tall figure didn't block anyone else's view. He was an attractive young man, and clearly in excellent shape with very well developed legs and forearms. Although his brown-blond hair was worn long in a ponytail, his height and the width of his shoulders made mistaking him for a woman unlikely.

As usual, he wore a dark frock coat with painted buttons bearing the Hoberty crest over a white shirt with gathered ruffles at the wrists. Hanging from a baldric in the Hoberty red and yellow was one of his swords, the basket hilt of which was a beautiful series of silver spirals. As he walked, it was clear he was comfortable with the weight of a sword at his side. Unlike some men who wore swords, the end never bumped into legs or knocked objects off of tables. Last but not least were his dark boots, which had been polished to an almost mirror-like shine.

Vivien Greywood noticed the handsome arrival, but settled for a nod, most of her attention completely taken by Lady Lagoran's testimony. She was smiling ever so slightly. What Nira recounted was horrific, and Vivien did pity her, but she was also aware that this stunningly lovely woman was an expert at this particular game.

Close behind young Vincent Hoberty came another newcomer to the gallery. A woman in early middle age, she was wearing a business-like jacket and full skirt of good - if somewhat shabby - dark blue cloth. She had a profusion of dark curls gathered up in an untidy knot at the back of her head but none of that was as signicant as the bag she had slung over her shoulder.

She glanced around, noting the presence of various people she knew, and then made her way decisively to the front of the gallery where she took the seat next to Victor Hoberty. She swung the bag off her shoulder and produced from it a pad of yellowish legal paper and a stylus. Flipping it open, she began to make rapid notesin a somewhat eccentric shorthand.

Victor (and many other people in the Gallery) knew her - Lady Bella Rostay, wife of Lord Aidan Rostay, heir to House Rostay. And better known as the notorious editor of the Lifestyle section of Aquila Awake!

Victor looked down hastily at his clothing as he realized who had just sat next to him. He stiffened for a moment as he judged his own posture, and apparently deemed it acceptable as he relaxed somewhat. Soon afterwards, he turned his eyes down to the gallery below.

On the floor of the audience chamber, from where he was meant to be attending to the testimony in progress, Roderigo, Lord Oswestry, looked up at the gallery, his admiring gaze lingering on the prettiest girls (Elissa, Vivien and Treasa all came briefly under scrutiny). Then he saw Lady Bella, his sister.

Roderigo winced.

Vivien smiled quietly to herself at the attention, until she saw Lord Oswestry turn his gaze to the newest arrival and change expression. She turned with some interest to regard Bella.

She was still working on discovering who the important people in the city were, and she felt rather bold since she saw no one nearby that she knew well, so she rose gracefully and moved to sit a chair away from Lady Bella - close enough to speak quietly, but not close enough to be stifling, or forward.

As people entered, Treasa watched with fascination. They were an eclectic group to say the least. She might not understand the politics of what was happening below but the feelings and interactions going on up here, well those were more obvious and equally as interesting. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out her sketch book. Certainly there were many recording the proceedings, she would record the crowd.

Bella, in between taking notes, was shooting sharp glances about the gallery. At the sight of Treasa's sketch book, her eyes widened slightly, and her nostrils quivered slightly, like an Oswestry pig scenting truffles.

Never one to be overly subtle, she dug Victor in the ribs.

"Who's that girl, Lord Victor?" she asked him in a breathy whisper. "The one with Lord Giulian Andewon? The one," she added, with a determination to be as exact as possible, "with the dwawing pad?"

Turning her head when she heard the speech, Elissa glanced over and recognized the lady from the newspaper and how she was taking notes. She rubbed her temples with one hand, but knew there was not much of a chance anyone knew her. Not like she looked like the street rat she could become when in the city. She noticed one of the nobles on the floor looking up and checking her out along with others. She kept her eyes moving, settling on various jewels that sparkled both in the Gallery and on the lower floor. Her fingers itched and pleaded to snitch all of them and get to Sol as fast as she could, but she stopped herself. Now was not the time nor the place.

She didn't want to end up tossed in a prison and be the one on trial.

Victor jumped a little bit as Bella made sure to get his attention with her elbow. For a moment, he made no reply to her question, then turned and looked in the general direction of Lord Giulian and Treasa. As he moved, his right hand dipped to his hilt so that it didn't slide between Lady Bella's legs but instead passed by near to his own calf.

"I'm afraid I don't recognize her, Lady" Victor said softly. "I don't believe, however, that she is another reporter... if that is what worries you" he added shortly thereafter.

Vivien, too, glanced at Treasa as Bella's glance fell upon her. Another new girl, but one more interesting to the newspaper woman? Vivien was not sure she liked that. All the same, it was better to wait and see. After all, with Treasa's coloring and figure, she might be a lovely model for one of Vivien's more exciting dresses...

"Good Lord, no," said Bella. "I know all the weporters on Aquila, Lord Victor. Either she's fwom an off-world publication ... or I might be able to employ her."

She looked thoughtfully at Treasa's companion, Lord Giulian Anderon.

Bella's gaze moved to the other strangers seated in the Gallery.

"I need to find out who these people are," she said in a whisper to Victor. "If I'm witing the Society column, I can't say "To the Star Chamber to see the twial, and I didn't know half the people pwesent.

"Will you help me?"

Victor's mouth opened for a moment, and it seemed as if he was about to say no. Before replying, however, he closed his mouth once more. He rubbed his freshly shaven chin as he considered how he might proceed, so that he might say it was impossible for him to help.

Finally, he shrugged. "I'll see what I can do," he said somewhat helplessly. Clearly, the only thing which terrified him more than making an awkward introduction to strangers (especially if they were young women) was Bella and her pen.

He turned from the railing and walked closer to Giulian and Treasa. He smiled at Giulian and motioned to a nearby seat. "Do you mind if I join you, or would I be interrupting?" he asked as he glanced between Treasa and Guilian momentarily.

Treasa did not seem to notice his presence. She was busily sketching some of the more interesting people in the audience below. The drawing was easy for Victor to see from where he stood. What it lacked in precise detail, it made up for in raw emotion. The mood of the crowd had been captured perfectly.

Giulian glanced up as Victor approached and replied amiably, though in an undertone, "Hullo, Hoberty. No, we're just watching the proceedings. History in the making, you know." He grinned briefly, since he knew Victor Hoberty primarily from the History department at the University.

Then, aware that Treasa's acquaintance on Aquila was minimal as yet, he touched her wrist lightly to get her attention and said, "Treasa, may I introduce you to Lord Victor Hoberty? This is Lady Treasa Bahlmis," he informed Victor.

The touch took her from her reverie. Blue eyes met Victor's gaze. "It is a pleasure to meet you," she said with unforced sincerity. Something about her seemed completely incapable of doing harm as she smiled up at him.

"Likewise, I'm pleased to meet you too, Lady Treasa," Victor said as he found himself smiling back. Normally, his face was quite reserved.

"Are you studying fine arts at the university?" he asked, indicating her pad with the tips of the fingers of his hand. The motion cut a graceful arc, and his palm was up-turned, as if he were asking one to dance or demonstrating a parry at the salle.

"Oh no," she said sounding a bit like she thought the idea was absurd. "I have no talent really. I just enjoy doodling. And writing. It's really more of a hobby then anything." It was clear that modesty was also another of her strong traits. "I dare say I've only had the nerve to share any or my work with a handful of people." With that she spared a glance and a smile for Giulian. He could see anything he wanted - artistically speaking, of course.

As the young man left, Vivien turned to Lady Bella. "Pardon me," she said politely, smiling. "I couldn't help but overhear and perhaps I could save your young man some difficulty. My name is Vivien Greywood. I don't think we've been introduced."

Below, the Cardinal nodded his understanding. "Did you love your husband, Lady Lagoran?"

Sharp dark eyes were appraising Vivien swiftly. Lady Bella Rostay was frequently derided - but she was certainly shrewd.

"You must be up from the country," she said, offering Vivien a gloved hand to shake. "How are you finding the city?"

Vivien shook the proffered hand firmly but without squeezing. "I absolutely adore it," she said. "But is it really so obvious that I come from the country? Everyone seems to be able to tell."

"Your hair," said Bella. "It's clear that you've never been near a fashionable stylist - curls are being worn to the left this year, my dear. And when I see an obviously stylish young woman, stwikingly dwessed but supporting a style of hairdwessing that went out two years ago, I assume she studies trends down in the countwy ... but has missed out on the conveniences of fashionable life."

She looked thoughtfully at Vivien. "I could help you change that, actually."

"Could you?" Vivien Greywood smiled, patting her coiffure self-consciously. "I would very much appreciate it. Perhaps I could return the favor in some way - I don't know, would you be interested in a fashion show or anything of the sort? It's to collect money for the hospital and I do hope to attract the most interesting people in the city, which would of course include yourself..."

Bella nodded.

"You'll want coverage in the pwess, won't you? I think we could do a special supplement - especially if you are using some of the young nobles as models. Anything with the nobility always genewates a lot of attention and boosts our weadership figures." She beamed at Vivien suddenly. "Oh, Mr Salter is going to love this! He'll put all his best etchers onto it!"

Vivien returned the smile with interest. "How wonderful! Then we will each get what we desire. Anyway, I do hope to find some young nobles to model, but I've only met a very few so far. Perhaps you might suggest a good place to be introduced... or I don't know, does one throw a party or something?"

"Well, my own girls are a little young," said Bella with some regret - if she had heard of the concept of maidenly modesty, Bella Rostay had decided it was not for her. "There's my niece, Auwowa Acciaio - I could have a word with her Mama. And her cousin Gianina Acciaio ... her mother, of course, was wather legendawy in her day - Iolanthe Gweywood as was. If I could pwesent it to her as an opportunity for Gianina to gain something of her weputatuion - without the nude painting, of course ... hmmm."

Bella was looking thoughtful - but then suddenly she brightened. "I know! An interview with you in the next edition of Aquila Awake! We can make it sound as though appeawing in the fashion show will be absolutely to die for ... "

"That would be absolutely perfect," said Vivien. "Perhaps you could include an etching of some of my clothes - a gown and a suit for the gentlemen, perhaps?"

She wanted to ask about an etching of herself, but decided that getting her work to the public - and publicizing the fashion show, of course - was more important.

"You ought to come to the office," decided Bella. "We'll need an etching to go with the interview, you know. Not in the office of course - it's too shabby. Do you have a studio? Pewhaps we should meet there instead ... Or we could wig up a studio in the office ... "

"I know the perfect place," said Vivien with a mischievious sparkle in her eyes. "That is, if Uncle Ethan and Aunt Olivia don't mind."

"Just let me have the details and the time," said Bella, "and I pwomise I'll be there - with my most weliable etcher!"

"Oh, um," Vivien thought about that for a moment. "If we have it at the house, I'd really ought to ask first... Perhaps - I could rig up something very fetching in a hotel room, if that wouldn't be... I don't know, risque or anything... Perhaps tomorrow afternoon?"

Bella nodded. "Let me wite down the name of a wespectable hotel," she said, taking a scrap of paper and a pencil. "Smithers of the Stwand. It's in a vewy good part of town."

She passed the paper over to Vivien.

"Shall we say thwee o'clock?"

"Three's perfect," Vivien agreed, taking the paper. "Thank you so much, Lady... um... oh, dear, this is embarrassing - did you tell me your name?"

Bella smiled. "Lady Bella Wostay," she said - and then her eye was caught by a movement on the floor below.

"Oh - look! There's Lady Twemontaine coming in!"

Below at the same time as their conversation, there was a flash of something in Nira's eyes before she could control it. Was it surprise? Or pain? Or perhaps even anger?

Whatever, those surprisingly dark long lashes lowered for a moment, and when she looked up at him again, those blue eyes were tranquil, the passion veiled once more.

"I believed I loved him, for a long time," she said. "Surprisingly long, perhaps. Ducal marriages - as I learned - are not very often about love, or even companionship." Again the wistful smile. "We are told that marriage is ordained by God for three purposes." Her eyes half closed as she quited the words slowly.

"First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.

"I was held to have failed my marriage there, of course.

"Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body."

Her look was directly at Micahle. "I was faithful to my husband, your Eminence. The fact that we are here today demonstrates how seriously he took the second of these injunctions.

"Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity." The smile faded, and there was a sudden intensity in her voice. "For me ... that was where the truth of our marriage should have lain. But ... I learned, to my cost, that such was not to be my role as the wife of the Duke. And that, your Eminence, was a hard lesson to learn at eighteen."

"Thank you, Lady Lagoran," the Cardinal offered when she finished. Some notes had been taken. "This body is fully aware of both God and man's laws on marriage and their dissolution, but your candid answer is appreciated."

"Does any of the commissioners have any other questions?" he asked.

Nira sat a little straighter on her chair, her hands folded demurely in her lap. One swift glance at the Commissioners - and then she looked down.

Roderigo, Lord Oswestry frowned portentiously - and then shook his head. Justin, Lord Creoni shook his head too, a faint smile on his lips. His own unusual marital arrangements were well-known, with two grown illegitimate children. The wonder was - he had still not taken a noble bride to wife.

That left Rosalor, Lady Bahlmis and Lady Ofelia Acciaio.

Rosalor Bahlmis spoke up. "My earlier question was not well put, Lady Lagoran. I was present myself at the reception at Anderon House when you ... reappeared in Aquilan society, and I agree that the state of affairs was quite clear by that time. What I wished to clarify was whether either you or your husband were aware of your pregnancy at the time of your disappearance."

"No," said Nira, her voice as clear and sound as a bell. "It was not until some days - perhaps as many as two weeks - later that ... that I was made aware of my condition. By then ... I was staying with Lady Hoberty. I was ill at the time, and she ... she recognised that I was also pregnant."

As she spoke, a slight flush spread across her cheeks and her voice rose slightly, as though she was a little agitated.

"Again, thank you, Lady Lagoran," Cadinal Fiore offered in dismissal. He indicated to the Deacon to call Lilly next.

Nira rose, with a slight rustle of her black silk skirts. She sank into a deep and respectful curtsey to the Cardinal and the other judges, her fair head bowed. Then she reached out a hand to Lord Acciaio, so that he could assist her to rise to her feet.

A last glance at the Cardinal, and then she turned to move away with her consiliari.

The Deacon nodded out of his distraction at watching the foremost legal authority of Aquila - and its supposedly impartial chief jurist - escort Nira from the hall. Behind the carefully schooled expression of the pious on Church business, his thoughts were entirely his own.

He moved to open the anteroom door again and intoned in his official, nearly unaccented voice: "The panel of inquiry calls Lady Lilly Tremontaine."

After several moments Lady Lilly Tremontaine entered the Star Chamber. She was taller than Lady Lagoran, her beauty not of the ethereal but more of the graceful. Her darker blonde hair was done up, her cream colored gown the least formal of the current styles, its clean lines flattering her. But those close enough could see she was a touch too pale, too thin. She glanced around the room to see who was present, nodding to the commission, and then the Cardinal.

After taking her seat she nodded again to the Cardinal. "Your Grace," she said simply. "I am Lady Lilly Tremontaine. You wished to ask me some questions?" she asked.

As Lady Bella was exclaiming about Lady Twemontaine a tall figure entered the room. She was dressed severely in a dark grey dress that seemed to emphasize the dark red hair and the dark green eyes of the woman. Without attempting to draw attention to herself Dr. Gallfrey slipped into a seat in the back. She frowned to herself as she saw Lady Tremontaine, as if disapproving of something she saw.

"Lady Tremontaine, thank you for joining us. Could you account for the commission the events that occurred when Duke Maun learned of your pregnancy?" the Cardinal asked.

"Duke Maun wanted an heir," Lady Tremontaine answered in a calm, soft tone. "The Lady Nira had failed to provide him with one by that time. When he learned I was pregnant with his child, he returned Lady Nira to her household, annulled the marriage between them, and committed himself to marrying me and acknowledging my child."

Her pale blue eyes looked around room, as if she was curious how those gathered would react.

The Cardinal shifted forward in his seat a bit to watch Lady Tremontaine a bit closer, noticably more interest than he had offered Lady Lagoran. "Do you have any documents to support the claim of annullment?"

Lilly looked a touch bewildered by the request. "Why would I? It was handled by Cardinal Maun. I was only 18 at the time. There is no reason I would have been given custody of those papers. I'm sure a copy was presented to House Anderon though, as proof."

The Cardinal made a small note on the page before him. "Please continue then Lady Tremontaine," the Cardinal allowed. "Your relationship with Duke Maun, how far along was the pregnancy when he put aside his wife?"

"Somewhere between two and three months," Lilly answered. "It was a difficult time." She looked away from the Cardinal, toward the tall windows of the room. "Nira... Atropos returned her to her family when he was told of my pregnancy."

"And your relationship with him before then?" Fiore asked evenly.

Lilly gave the Cardinal a blank look that hinted at her astonishment.

Did he really expect her to confess publicly? In front of all these people the relationship she had with Atropos? The fact her family had all but thrown her in the path of the Duke in an attempt to win favor with him?

"That..." She paused, cleared her throat with a light cough before continuing.

"That would be between myself and my confessor," she finally said, the colour rising slightly in her pale cheeks as she watched the Cardinal warily.

Ofelia, who had been watching the exchange with great interest, sat back in her chair at the last.

Above, in the gallery, Vivien's expression changed to one of confusion. "Poor thing," she muttered. "They should have done that in private. After all, it's hardly necessary after Lady Lagoran's testimony, at all."

Bella looked up from her notebook in some surprise.

"But evewyone will weally want to wead her testimony and see that the Cardinal is being fair to them both!" she said. "And they'll pay extwa for juicy details - Mr Salter says we'll need to pwint an extwa ten thosand copies!"

"I'm sure if she wanted to discuss the matter, she would have already approached the paper about an interview. Considering previous questioning, though, I think she'll have her own uncomfortable questions to answer sooner or later," Victor interjected as he returned to his previous seat.

"Sooner, if not now, from her response," Vivien said, still with sympathy. She glanced up at Victor as he took his seat, assessing him.

Victor was young, tall, and well proportioned. Although his clothes and boots had been selected with the greatest of care, were clean and constructed of fine fabrics, they were by no means in style. The understated elegance of his coat clashed with his almost baroque rapier, and while his pants were tight enough to show off some of the shape of his legs the frock coat hid the lines of his upper body.

Victor didn't look towards Vivien as she glanced at him, but did blush ever so slightly as he focused on the deliberations below.

"Lord Victor!" said Bella. "This is Vivien Gweywood ... one of the Gweywoods, you know, and she has such a weally wonderful plan. Miss Gweywood, Lord Victor here is one of the most stylish young men awound. You weally should get him to model for you."

Vivien nodded. "I think that would be an excellent idea... But I wouldn't want to make Lord Victor uncomfortable with such a forward proposal." She watched the young man, hoping, though without malice, that he would blush again. She hadn't had that effect on a man in a long time. "You see, we're going to have a fashion show to benefit the hospital, but I'm still very short of attractive young people to model."

Victor indeed blushed further. He tried to cover it up by coughing into his fist. "Um... Ah... well, if it is for a noble cause... I suppose?" He seemed quite embarassed about the idea of appearing in a fashion show, or being called 'attractive' by a noble woman.

Vivien took pity on him. "You don't have to," she said warmly. "You might help set up in other ways, if you'd like to aid the cause but don't want to model in front of people."

This seemed to embarrass Victor even further, but he replied "No, I'd be happy to do it," in a calm tone. It was almost as if the calmer he spoke, the more flushed his face became. He looked around for something to change the subject, and caught ahold of the events unfolding below in the courtroom. Once he understood what it was that they were discussing below, it genuinely had his attention, but he soon remembered to look around to see how others were reacting.

Bella was deeply absorbed in taking notes now of the proceedings. Indeed, she seemed to be taking down far more words than were actually spoken ...

But no-one read Aquila Awake! for its accuracy anyway. There were weeks when the daring adventures that it chronicled of the frontier lass Callie Calloway appeared to be the most veracious section within its columns.

"Then thank you, Lord Victor."

Vivien, too, seemed content to let the conversation go and turn her attention back to the proceedings, but a dangerously thoughtful smile played with the corners of her lips.

Roderigo, on the contrary leaned forward a little. Not for nothing, perhaps, was the portly Head of House Oswestry brother to Bella Rostay.

"And the Duke knew of your ... delicate condition when he set aside Lady Lagoran?"

"Yes," Lilly confirmed with a nod.

"Then," said Roderigo, "it must have seemed to him that setting aside Lady Nira in order to marry you and secure the legitimacy of his heir was a matter of some ... urgency."

Beside him, Lord Creoni made a sudden movement in his seat. Everyone knew that Lord Creoni had two illegimate children ... and no legitimate heir.

"I did not demand Lady Nira be sent away if that's what you are asking. That was Atropos' decision," Lady Tremontaine answered Roderigo.

Ofelia shot Roderigo a disgusted look at this clear and snide attempt to bait House Creoni. There was enough politic here already.

She was also beginning to see why Nicola had arrived with Lady Nira. "Lady Tremontaine, were you ever aware of Lady Lagoran's condition during the time of your pregnancy? The reception during which she returned to the Nest, for instance?"

"It was rather hard to miss," Lilly answered. "Yes, she was pregnant." She hesitated, then continued, looking down. "I did not know she was alive before she returned. Neither did Atropos."

"Atropos... offered to take her back. But she refused him. So... our wedding continued as scheduled," she said, her voice shaking slightly.

Ofelia's eyebrows raised towards the ceiling; she had not known of the offer and refusal.

"That leaves me with three questions, my Lady," Ofelia continued. Her voice was gentle. "The first... considering that Lady Lagoran was thought dead, to the best of your knowledge, there was never a reconciliation between Atropos Maun and Nira Anderon after her disappearance? In other words, if Lady Nira was pregnant, and Duke Maun the father, she would have to have become pregnant before the dissolution of marriage?"

"I believe that would have to have been the case," Lilly confirmed softly, still not looking up from her hands.

Ofelia nodded in response. "The second, then... again, to the best of your knowledge... has there ever been a successful challenge to the paternity of either your son, or of Lady Nira's? Both of you are satisfied, through your claims, that Duke Maun was the father of your sons, and there has been no evidence presented by either to the contrary?"

"No!" Lilly exclaimed, looking up with a startled expression. "At least... no, there's been no challenge to Harold being Atropos' son."

"As for Nira's Decuma..." Lilly shook her head. "There have been no formal challenges there that I know of."

Ofelia nodded again. "Nor has House Acciaio received any challenges to that effect, your Grace," she said in an aside to the Cardinal. "I understand that was included in the brief that was sent to you before your arrival. I think, at this late date, that the questions of pater familias have been answered. If there was to be a challenge, it would already have been presented years ago."

She turned to Lilly. "And the final question. The answer is a matter of record, but I would like to hear it said again today.

"When, precisely, was your son born?"

Lilly met Ofelia's eyes then. As if talking to another woman would somehow make it bearable.

"The Duke.. The assassin struck as we were leaving the chapel. Right after... we were wed by the Cardinal. They hurried him to safety. When... I saw him lying there..." She closed her eyes briefly, opened them again. "My labor pains started then. The babe came swiftly, not more than a few hours after the ceremony, perhaps less. Lady Bahlmis was there." She nodded to Rosalor, a hint of hesitation evident.

Rosalor bent her head in acknowledgement. "That is correct," she said.

"My son was born before the Duke died. Atropos knew he had an heir before the poison took him. But.. I wasn't with him when he passed on. Lord Anderon and Dr. Hoberty were." She bowed her head at that, closing her eyes as she remembered the day.

There was a long pause, where Ofelia's face was inscrutable, a mask. Either she was hiding her thoughts, or her emotions, it was hard to tell which. But she nodded, finally, and said, "Thank you, my Lady."

It was a moment before Lilly nodded in acknowledgment. "Was.. there anything else you wanted to know?" she asked in a very soft voice.

"Not as far as I am concerned," Ofelia said. She cast a glance to the Cardinal. "I should have asked the same of Lady Nira," she said to him. "I am quite ashamed of this lack." It was much more likely, and obvious, that the real reason was Nicola's sudden appearance. "Perhaps the time of Decuma's birth could be read from record and also established today?"

The Cardinal looked to the clerks for such a confirmation.

One of the junior clerks pushed an paper to Antonini for him to present. to the Court. It was a baptismal certificate, made out for the evening of the Duke's death, and recorded the birth and christening of Decuma Atreides Maun, son of Atropos Maun, Duke of Aquila and Nira Maun, nee Anderon.

The witnesses to this were given as Maple Gallfrey and Lucien, Lord Tremontaine.

Antonini read off the pertinent facts of the document- including the time of birth, sometime after Harry had been born.

Ofelia nodded in response, her expression neutral, even when Lucien's name was mentioned.

In the back of the room there was a tall woman, stiffly dressed, with dark red hair and hard eyes. She was unexpectedly scowling at the last bit of testimony, though it was difficult to understand why from the context.

Lady Tremontaine on the other hand stiffened when she heard the name of her husband as a witness on the birth certificate for Nira's child. She looked back down at her hands, not meeting the looks of those around as her cheeks turned a light shade of pink.

Vivien looked even more intrigued. She recognized the name of Maple Gallfrey, the woman she had met while out shopping. The other name, that of Lord Tremontaine, was also quite interesting, under the circumstances. A tangled web indeed...

"If no one else has questions of Lady Tremontaine?" Cardinal Fiore asked, before offering his thanks. "Thank you, Lady Tremontaine."

Lady Tremontaine nodded to the Cardinal, then stood and left as quickly as decorum allowed.

"The committee will recess for dinner and reconvene in three hours. I'd appreciate seeing the judges in my chamber," he finished.

Lord Creoni rose, waiting for Lady Tremontaine to withdraw, and then ready to escort the female judges, Ofelia and Lady Bahlmis.

After a moment, Roderigo, Lord Oswestry, shambled to his feet too.

Rosalor also got to her feet, ready to follow the Cardinal.

The Cardinal removed himself to a chamber that Delan had arranged for his offices over the next several weeks during the hearings.

"Well," said Bella, rising to her feet as the Judges withdrew, "that's us done for the day. Can I offer anyone a lift in my carriage? I'm going to the Aquila Awake! office's in the centre of town ... "

This was not perhaps strictly accurate, as the offices lay in a slightly seedy district towards the industrial area - such as it was - of Aquila.

Giulian Anderon let out a small sigh as the judges withdrew, pushed himself to his feet and reached for his crutches. To Treasa he gave a smile and said, "I'm thinking I'd better take Bella up on her offer. I need to get back to the office and it will be quicker than a hack."

He was turning to speak to Bella when he caught sight of Isabel. He gave her a wave, not having really expected to see her there.

Isabel looked over at Giulian, obviously noticing him because he was waving. Her scowl faded somewhat as she realized it was Giulian.

She stood up, waited near the door for him to come through.

Silent while watching and listening to the various witnesses, Elissa could tell there was no real information about who was a true heir. From what she learned during her training in the Convent, there were a lot of problems happening at that time of the two births and death of a Duke.

When she overheard that was pretty much the end of things for today, Elissa rose smoothly from her seat and picked up her ever present knapsack. She flipped the curls she forced her hair into back from a shoulder, wishing she pulled it into a tight braid or bun instead. There was also the dress that constantly was in her way. Why would nobs dress in such contraptions that hindered their movements?

She headed towards the door with various others.

"I'll take your offer, Lady Bella, if I might," said Giulian as he headed for the door.

"Certainly," said Bella, ever obliging - or perhaps she merely hoped for a juicy quote from the scion of House Anderon. "Have you met Miss Vivien Greywood yet?"

"I don't believe I've had the pleasure," said Giulian, with a courteous inclination of the head in Vivien's direction.

Vivien curtseyed with a smile. "My lord."

Giulian went to speak to Isabel.

Bella was watching the departure of Elissa now, a faint frown on her face.

Treasa lingered near Bella but waited until Giulian had wandered off before speaking. "If it is all right, I would enjoy your hospitality as well. My brother seems to have gone off on his own and I think it would perhaps be best if I remained with something of an escort." And Giulian was a wonderful escort, she thought to herself. Bella Rostay just made their being together more convenient.

Bella smiled at her. "Certainly, my dear. Tell me - have you met Miss Vivien Greywood? I believe you are exactly the sort of young lady she's looking for."

"Oh," she said looking about. "No. I don't believe I have."

She beckoned to Vivien.

Vivien came closer, smiling. She curtseyed again, extending her hand. "A pleasure to meet you," she said. "Lady Bella is right, you are exactly what I need... if it isn't too forward of me to say so."

"What you need?" Treasa ventured. "For what?" She sounded far more curious then offended. Treasa could not imgaine anyone needing her for anything.

Vivien took a deep breath. This was going to sound desperate whatever she did with it, so it was best to just get it out. "Well, I - and the other Greywoods, of course - am organizing a fashion show and charity ball sort of thing to raise money for the hospital - the flu relief, and so on... I'm still very much in need of models, and you're a very lovely young woman - with very different coloring than mine, which is what I need. Would you consider modeling for me?"

"Me? You want me to model?" Treasa sounded truly shocked. "Oh, I couldn't. I would be so awkward and terrible! I'm sure there are a hundred better people out there!" The girl really seemed to have no idea that she was, in fact, rather attractive in that sweet, innocent, girl next door, sort of way. With the right hair in make-up, and perhaps a bit of life experience, she could be rather striking.

Vivien looked startled. "Well, I... won't push you if you don't want to... But I can't imagine you would be ever be awkward, and I do have a rose tea-dress I think would be just perfect on you... In point of fact, I might have been imagining you when I designed it."

"Oh, I would love to! That's not it at all. It's just... Well, it's just... Are you really sure you want me?" Sincere. Sweet. Utterly clueless. All were good descriptions for Treasa. "Rose really is one of my favorite colors," she then added softly sounding rather excited.

"I'm really sure I want you," Vivien repeated warmly, smiling. There might have been a hint of amusement in her voice. "When I have a date and location for the model rehearsals, may I contact you again?"

"Oh, yes! Of course!" Treasa responded, her enthusiasm building with every syllable. "I look forward to hearing from you." She simply could not wait to go home and record this moment in her journal. That thought immediately brought another to mind.

"Oh, one question," she ventured in a hopeful voice. "Would it be all right if I brought my sketch book along? I promise not to busy myself with it when I should be working!" It sounded as if this is a promise she has made many times in the past.

"Of course you can," said Vivien. "You like to sketch, then? So do I... only I do mostly clothing... What do you draw?"

"People. Mostly. Sometimes animals. Or things. Or places. And sometimes just nonsense things that come in my dreams. But mostly people. I like trying to capture their emotions." Treas gave a little shrug. "I'm not very good. But I enjoy it. A lot. My family spent many hours trying to get my to put my sketch book and diary away when I was younger." By younger, she of course means a few months ago.

Vivien shook her head. "I don't understand that. It seems like if you enjoy something, they ought to encourage it."

Treasa gave a little shrug. It was not discouraged. Not exactly. They just thought she should perhaps develop other interests as well. She might be able to explain this and indeed she knew eventually she would want to at least try but right now did not seem the proper moment to do so.

She glanced over to where Giulian and Bella were preparing to leave. "Shall we continue this in the carriage?"

Victor nodded his agreement and moved with the group to the carriage. "I have things to do at the University, but a ride would be quite agreeable."

"Oh yes. Certainly." Treasa replied with a nod and shifted her attention to Lady Bella once more.

Bella was watching the exchange between Treasa and Vivien.

"Have you heard?" she said to Giulian. "Miss Gweywood and her House are organising a fashion show and ball - to waise money for chawity. The Andewons should be involved, you know. Your aunt is such a famous philanthwopist - it would be nice to see it wunning in the family."

"Oh, yes? For the hospital, I assume?" said Giulian. "Well, if nothing else, I am sure we shall attend. Mother might wish to be more closely involved, but her health at present..." His brow furrowed slightly at the thought of his mother's continued indisposition. "And my sisters are still a bit young, of course."

"Weally?" said Bella. "Wosalor is still a little girl, I know - but Wenalda must be getting quite a young lady now!"

"Well, she's fifteen," said Giulian, doing some quick mental arithmetic. "But she's still in school ... not out yet."

"But she soon will be," said Bella. "After all, her aunt Niwa wasn't that much older when she mawwied the Duke."

As though realising this was not the happiest of comparisons, Bella busied herself bustling around and collecting her things.

"Now," she said, "Who wants to come in the cawwiage?"

Giulian, indeed, gave her an And-we-all-know-what-came-of-THAT look, but said only, "A lift to the center of town would be welcome, if it's convenient, Lady Bella."

"Of course, Lord Giulian," she agreed. "Are the others weady? Who else is coming?"

"I'll go," said Vivien, apparently changing her mind. Making contacts was more important than getting home early.

Treasa clutched her bag a bit more tightly. "It would be lovely to tag along and get to know everyone a bit better." She was in quite a merry mood now and a sort of innocent joy was radiating from her. At last she felt as if her dreams were coming true. Aquila was finally starting to truly feel like home.

Bella led the way down to where her carriage was parked - easily recognisable by bearing the battered Rostay tortoise crest - Tartuca - in what had once doubtless been bright yellow and cobalt blue. Now the colours were faded and somewhat battered - rather like the carriage itself. It was, however, commodious - The Rostays had always been notoriously large families, and this oldfashioned Berliner had been made to accommodate a great many of them simultaneously.

"Climb in!" she invited, allowing the gentlemen, if they wished, to hand in the young ladies.

Victor moved to do just that, although he blushed whenever he so much as touched hands with whomever he was helping into the carriage. He looked to Lady Bella and Giulian as well to see if they if they wanted assistance as well. If Giulian looked as though he wanted a hand, Victor first climbed aboard and helped pull him in. In his mind, at least, this was how he'd help anyone. He didn't want to embarrass the cripple.

She waited until they were all settled and then asked, "So ... what did you think of this morning's hearings?"

Clearly they were expected to earn their passage into town.

Victor was initially silent, although he knew he'd need to reply before too long.

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