On the subject of missing items

[Jacob Swainswick]

"Well," said he, "there are many trifles of nomenclature, but these seem minor in comparison. I was struck mostly by two things."

He bent forward easily to pick up the stool - Swainswick not being so slovenly to hook with a foot, nor to slide the item across the rug - then repaired to the mantelpiece, where he stood, a study of thought.

"The most startling observation I made is this:" His brows furrowed in thought, but he did not mince his words. "Miss Daye does not strike one as having...the character of a vampiress. I cannot tell if that's a mask she carefully sported for my benefit. By this I mean, ah." He stopped for a moment, then looked directly at Miss Audley, choosing his words carefully.

"Whether it be the Lady Dyonisia, or Lady Julia - heavens, or even Miss Box! - or yourself," he added, contemplative, "there is in the manner of your conversation an... assertiveness. You yourself hide it well, but I think often of our early conversations, before you had revealed to me your secret. There is a - a challenge in the way you speak. I do not mean," he went on, quickly, "that your manners are in any way unladylike. Oh no, far from it. But there is an unusual quality of your bearing. It's quite magnetic.

"The word I hesitate to use is predatory, although I don't think that's quite right. But the connotation, of a lioness, surrounded by a herd of antelope - you understand my meaning?" His eyes glittered as he spoke of it.

"Miss Daye does not feel the same in conversation. There seems to be in her some... unspoken fragility. Like a wounded bird. One supposes that that might be an artifice; do you know? But the contrast is most striking."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina grins easily, looking up at him and admiring his figure as she replies.

"Christine is different from all the others you have named in several ways. She is far younger than we are for a start. And I mean that in our terms, not in the mortal sense. She is of a different family and those of the Moon are..." She pauses and waves a hand vaguely.

"Those of the Moon are, well it's a little hard to explain, largely because I'm not of the Moon myself and I've not made a hobby of studying them, but it's generally believed they are far closer to madness than the rest of us. That said, it's claimed they can use their lunacy to.." Another vague hand gesture. "Work with signs and portents and the like. However, in the meantime they are generally pleasant but not altogether all there. She is lucky to have the guidance and care of the Lady Leroux, in regards to that."

She shifts a little, leaning back on the sofa. "You are right though, her seeming timidity is an excellent disguise for her nature."

[Jacob Swainswick]

Swainswick had read widely, and was particularly taken by those volumes that detailed the altogether alien behaviour of those odd creatures that natural philosophers seemed to find in endless supply in the far-flung and humid corners of the world. He had a sudden image in his head of a wounded sparrow, fluttering with a broken wing, upon some tropical jungle floor.

(Some larger beast approaches it, sensing an easy meal: and then the stalker becomes the prey, as the bird reveals itself to be merely the lure of some larger, more fantastical beast, a whirlwind of fang and claw.)

He raised his eyebrows, blinking once to clear his head.

"That, then, raises the second question. I was struck by the size of that large house in Clifton - the Court - so many within! The idea of a Société des Vampires, within the heart of a city - it is one that is thrilling - or chilling, in truth.

"So to hear of a Council of Neonates (the term explains itself, with what you've said, meaning those newly come into their condition?) - the notion conjures up a strange picture. One of a sort of guild-hall of the un-dead, if you'll pardon the term. Are there so many here within Bath?

"And is the title - the Council - it seems to have much portent. Is that more akin to the Ancient and Noble Guild of Slate-cutters - whose membership number three, the Haversham-Vex's housekeeper's husband amongst them, and are often to be found in the Hare and Hounds playing cribbage - or does this Council wield some kind of power?"

His eyes glittered at the thought. "What a marvel it would be to make their acquaintances."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina laughs merrily.

"Heavens darling, what a comparison! The Council of Neonates are a bunch of children playing at being like their elders and betters. You heard Miss Daye, naught but posturing and arguments and ruffled feathers. As for making their acquaintance - "

She stops to sniff disapprovingly.

"I should be sorry to see you in their company. Mr Black and Mr Williamson are dolts with ideas above their stations, Dr Taylor has been named Vulgar, which a terrible thing and..." She searches her mind for other neonates "Mr Knox has only just recovered from a terrible disgrace of his own and at that only by her Highness' mercy and really darling, they are simply dreadful. Miss Daye is about the only one worth cultivating. We shall have a terrible time keeping Kira from their company I fear."

[Jacob Swainswick]

"'Kira'? Another neonate? And by 'we', should I infer that my assistance will be required, or do you speak of others?"

The prospect of being able to demonstrate his ability in some deeper intrigue thrilled Swainswick.

[Valentina Audley]

"Darling I always require your assistance." She smiles up at him.

"As for Kira, do you remember the visitors to the back room? She's the girl. She's unreleased and quite frankly she's lucky to still be among us. Our Prince has decreed it so until her sire is found and so, for now she is under the care of Mr Beauclair. He has business in Bristol soon though, so I shall have charge of her whilst she is away. You will see much of her at that time for I daren't leave her alone at any point. Helen is currently attending to her and will stay with her until the next elysium."

Valentina thinks for a moment, before continuing.

"She is also in desperate need of some vampiric etiquette lessons. You may as well attend to us for those, it won't hurt you to learn and occasionally I may need to give demonstrations." She grins a trifle mischievously at him.

"You won't mind being an object of my demonstrations will you darling?"

[Jacob Swainswick]

"I, ah -" Swainswick's face seemed uncertain whether to flush or to pale. "I will, of course, provide whatever help I may, Miss Audley. But there are some things which -"

A guilty memory of Olivia Stone, trembling in his ersatz embrace, clutching at him in all-too-genuine passion, intruded upon his attention.

"- well, I must question the suitability of sharing them with a third party," he said.

He rather hoped that he'd missed her intent wildly, and that she spoke instead of demonstrations of apposite etiquette; the embarrassment of a misunderstanding here paled beside the possibility. Under Miss Audley's tutelage, Swainswick had learnt that there were many things he was capable of that he would never have dreamed; but he doubted that his stoicism would extend to being able to offer a schoolmasterly commentary upon the sensations which accompanied the bite of the vampiress.

To tell, perhaps. But to show, he could not bring himself to imagine.

[Valentina Audley]

"Well the child has got to learn how to find people to feed from somehow, but until she's got the hang of things I was hoping you'd help her find food, much as you have helped me, however, if you would rather not..."

Valentina leaves the sentence hanging, speaking a trifle dolefully whilst giggling inwardly. Jacob really was too much fun!

[Jacob Swainswick]

"I- well, I suppose so." His relief was palpable.

It was also, it must be said, tinted with a sense of disappointment that he could not quite place. Their shared adventures had been to him very precious moments, for all the nightmares that he had suffered in their wake. That she thought him fit to teach to another vampiress that particular craft, was beyond flattering. Nonetheless, to engage in such practices with another - that Valentina would not only permit, but even encourage it - caused him a small measure of sadness.

On the other hand, he mused, are we not the masters, and she the pupil? Do we not bear this responsibility? Miss Audley was clearly dismayed at the prospect; in that he took some refuge, and determined that it would be unwilling to refuse to bear the burden, even if it came with such a sacrifice. It is what a man must do, he assured himself.

"It shall be done; as you have taught me, I'm certain that wisdom can be passed on." He grew thoughtful again. "But - here in Bath? I shall have to take very great care that our reputations remain intact. Furthermore," he added, "Chief Constable Vex's men may well have the safety of the city in mind, but they are over-earnest in their efforts in many cases. Why, I myself was stopped not once, but on two occasions only the other evening. The first was as I escorted Miss Wilkins home. They were really very impertinent in their insinuations. I'm minded to write to the Chief Constable in complaint.

"My point being," he concluded, "that the social scene within our city has been extremely curtailed, the efforts of many local proprietors - ourselves included - to assuage that situation. We may have to travel a little further afield to find a dance or some other event at which we may make the attempt.

"Oh, not only that," another point occurred to him. "Does she still go about in the garb of a scullery maid? We'll need to fix that." He looked at the ceiling, figuring in his head. "The petty cash will extend to any travel costs and sundries. It'll be a little tight, but no matter. I'm certain we can make it work."

[Valentina Audley]

Valentina laughs delightedly and springing up, she crosses the room at speed to throw herself into his arms.

"Dear darling Jacob, what a treasure you are!"

She leans into him, savouring his warmth before continuing. "Someone has outfitted her in a gown more appropriate to one of the Rose. It is a trifle gaudy but a plain cloak over the top should help enormously. As for where, it is no huge matter though preferably not too far. Also, if we arrange a fair few rush deliveries that should help matters, don't you think?"

She nuzzles at his neck for a moment, toying with the idea of biting him and then realises exactly what he said.

"Uh, darling, I should prefer it that you do not write to the chief constable. You are known to the court and they might think I was stirring up trouble and I shouldn't like my elders to feel I am impertinent."