A well-thumbed Baedeker

[Jacob Swainswick]

Only the briefest quirk of an eyebrow let his reaction slip. "As you desire, Miss Audley, if you are certain. My own needs are very meagre." It was not only the appropriate thing to say, of course; he took his duties as a steward of the Silver Thimble's prosperity seriously. Such sensible sobrieties warred in his breast with the prospect of a first-class trip to Paris - of all places - and with the woman of his - that is to say, with one who was not only a kind and generous employer, but whose friendliness seemed to border on actual friendship.

Another moment's reflection, as he computed backward from the date of Fashion Week.

"When did you wish to depart? I'm afraid we'll have precious little time for sight-seeing en route."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina smiles inwardly. The delicate game of boundary pushing is one of her favourites and she's hugely enjoying switching between made up concerns about his reputation and tempting him with thoughts that, no doubt, would result in more wool gathering on his part the moment the discussion was over. She wondered idly if he would try to stay closer to her for the remainder of the evening, or excuse himself for some, ahem, private time.

She considers. "Helen can have charge of the shop whilst we are gone. I shall see that she appears tomorrow so that the pair of you can organise a smooth handover. That said, regrettably, now is not the time for a long absence from Aquae Sulis, so sight seeing enroute is a pleasure we shall have to forgo on this trip."

She smiles across at him. "Plenty of time to explore Paris before and after the catwalk shows darling. We shall have to content ourselves with that this time."

A couple of little hints that this might well be the first of many trips together, mostly to encourage his desire to impress her that little bit more.

[Jacob Swainswick]

The intimation was not lost upon him.

"If I might continue, then, Miss Audley? To ensure that I understand the parameters of my task." Swainswick pushed the journal a few inches away from him; more a symbolic gesture. "These things I shall commit to memory, not paper:"

Forefinger of his right hand to thumb of the left, then: the first item. "The business with - with coffins, or holy ground. Am I to take it that such things are fabrications?"

The look of amusement on her face was answer enough.

"I'm sorry; it was better to ask." He touched the next finger. "Do you require some leeway around the hours of dawn and dusk? Oh! - and there's the matter of, ah," (middle finger) "- sustenance. In this regard I am, of course, at your service." A flush threatened to colour his face again. "But I don't know - well, not to put too fine a point on it - will you require, ah, others?"

[Valentina Audley]

His mix of competence and innocent ignorance really was adorable. Valentina smiles fondly at him and pats his hand.

"Dear Jacob, how quickly you grasp the issues my traveling causes!"

She appears to give his questions some thought, regarding him solemnly as she does so.

"I take my repose in a bed, just as you do darling. The only difference is that the room in which I lay my head down in must be made so that no sunlight can get in. Otherwise..." She trails off and shivers. "I shall wake when the sun has set and I simply cannot keep my eyes open after dawn. We none of us can." She shrugs lightly.

"As for sustenance, there will need to be others." She pats his hand again gently. "To loose so much blood as I would require would be too much for you darling. I could not and will not ask it of you." She smiles wanly at him. "The advantage or travel is that there will be many others also traveling and temporary friendships are such useful things darling."

Was that too callous sounding? Hrm, possibly.

"I shall take only from those who can spare it and whose care is assured by virtue of companions, to mitigate the risk to them afterwards." She lowers her eyes in apparent meek sadness. "Would that we did not have to discuss such things, alas I fear we have very little choice in this but to acknowledge the reality of the situation."

She stays still, head bowed, waiting to see his reaction.

[Jacob Swainswick]

"I'll add a dozen yards of heavy calico to my list," he said. "As to that other matter. If we are to be traveling companions, then perhaps I can be of some measure of assistance. You must not fear to call on me, whatever the request." He looked thoughtful. "I suppose one might call it something of a second apprenticeship. Tell me: have you traveled with Helen in such a manner before now? If there are - well, tricks of the trade which she might know of, it would be useful to hear of them tomorrow."

[Valentina Audley]

"That is possible darling, although you made need to tweak it a smidge. If nothing else, people are usually susceptible to being offered money." Valentina keeps her voice calm, but matter of fact.

Helen had come to her far less innocent than this pup and was therefore much more useful in terms of luring people to her mistress. Valentina would miss her abilities on the forthcoming trip to lure chivalrous or foolish men to her mistress with fictional tales of woe or occasionally romantic liasons. Still, Helen may have ideas about how to twist the scenarios well enough for Jacob to take her role. If not... There are other ways to acquire people.

"Tell me darling, do you have any, concerns? About my condition and how I must keep myself alive? It would be best to speak of them now if you do." She smiled gently at him.

[Jacob Swainswick]

"Only that I don't misapprehend and cause you distress, Miss Audley.

"Forgive me," a slight, self-deprecating smile flashed across his face. "I took the question as one of pragmatics. If you meant instead, do I have concerns of a more philosophical nature..." He avoided the word ethical deliberately.

"I ... did have ..." he spoke hesitantly, as one remembering a distant dream. "Less of - what you must do, Miss Audley, than - than of the mental burden you must have to bear. It must be a terrible strain. If there's anything within my power to do to assist you, you have but to say it."

A moment's hesitation; no more than two heartbeats. And then, emboldened by having come thus far, he continued: "Were there another way - then of course I would seek it out for you. But you are, Miss Audley, if I might make so bold - you are truly the rarest of - that is, irrespective of your singular state - I speak rather of your charm, your intelligence, your bravery - it is that singular combination, that it would be a sin were it not preserved! When an article speaks of the Modern Woman, why: that paradigm could find no greater embodiment! You, who have seen the birth of Modernity itself!"

He had drawn himself to his fullest height; he stopped, amazed that he had dared to speak thus.

"In brief, Miss Audley, I have no such concerns."

In truth, he found it difficult to imagine - to want to imagine - the practical considerations to which his mistress alluded; even his own recent experience, as treasured as he would have anticipated the memory of such a uniquely intimate moment to be, remained elusive to thought.

Or at the least, it proved so to his waking mind.

[Valentina Audley]

She watched him work himself up in a fervour of admiration indulgently. Paris would have its compensations. She decided then and there that she'd make sure the magic of the city of romance worked it's charms on him.

When his speech ended she smiled joyously, applauding him . "My dear Jacob, how very lucky I am that you have entered into my life. I think this trip will go smoothly indeed."

She glances down and is reminded of the practicalities of fashion week. "Pack your very best darling, and we will want plenty of notebooks and sketchbooks. Can you see about tickets for the shows when you wire for accommodation?"

She starts a fresh page in her notebook, listing designers. "These are the people we should make an especial effort to connect with I think."

She glances up at him, smiling impishly. "Have I forgotten anything darling?"

[Jacob Swainswick]

He appraised the paper thoughtfully, his mouth a little dry all of a sudden.

That he was not one to pass up opportunity, however, was one of the many qualities that had attracted the attention of his employer.

"Perhaps one thing," he suggested. "Any other small matters should make themselves evident as I book our itinerary tomorrow. But, ah - if you'll forgive me -"

His smile was boyish, infected by her own good humour. "I'm no prince," he said, "and I know that we travel on business. And I may not warrant a new white satin ballgown. But, ah, if you did desire to dance whilst we're there - well, I'd be honoured to accompany you."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina makes an immediate mental note to have Helen pack her silver evening gown. It was years out of date of course, but she she rather thought it would be just the thing to dazzle him as they danced, in more way than one.

"Dancing in Paris darling, is a must and so I shall hold you to your word." She hesitates as though on the verge of leaning in, then bites her lip and looks down.

A small pause and then she's all business again. "Well, we are going to be very busy these next few nights. I suggest that you return to your jacket darling and I shall try to finish all these gathers before dawn."