Chapter 21 #2
“But only ten. I see your point. Instead of a hundred. And then, demographically speaking, a number of people of our age would not be at Oxford for many reasons. It needs someone who could have done the academic preparation, whether they went to one of the Five Schools or not. How did you do yours?” The question came up out of nowhere, but he was delighted she felt she could ask.
“A lot of study with tutors over hols from Schola and some additional work in the middle. You?” He asked it hoping he might get a little more information.
“Anyway. Mama keeps track of that sort of thing, especially anyone around my age down through my younger sister. We have a number of business interests with the horses and the estate. It’s good to know when there’s some existing relationship in play, that sort of thing.
” It went far beyond that, of course, but he was keeping to the acceptable public commentary.
“Oh, the same. My aunt was at Somerville back in her own day. She’s a maths teacher at a non-magical school, and has been for decades now.
She did a lot of maths prep with me, and Grandfather found someone for the rest of it.
Though that was easier, mostly, given that I only really had to take exams about the maths.
” Pen frowned. “All right. So what does that mean here? That you don’t know her. ”
“It means that I would very much like to get a look at her. Is she the sort that goes to parties? Dances? The one coming up next Friday, for example?” It was not one of the main balls, but it was absolutely the sort of event that would get people in a certain set out in numbers.
“Um.” Pen rubbed her nose. “Probably? She seems to be out a lot. I don’t even know what she’s reading. I might find out. Ask around in the JCR. Do you go to that sort of thing?”
“Sometimes. It’s not my favourite way to spend an evening.
Honestly, I’d rather a crossword or time in the ritual workroom most evenings.
But there’s nothing quite like a certain kind of party to get an idea of what people are doing with themselves.
And it’s useful to be seen out and about.
” He had learned that one from his parents from about the time he could toddle around on his own two feet.
Then he’d learned several other adaptations of the art from the Edgartons, and now from the Council rites or, for that matter, how Ursula put together a gathering.
“Oh, you’d go?” That little thread of Naming magic gave him the hint here, to listen more closely, and there was something in her tone.
“I don’t know her on sight. Or anyone she spends time with.
Would you go with me? It’d give you an excuse to point out other people in your college.
I’d not presume on your time or person, of course, beyond that.
I promise I know how to behave like a gentleman.
” Edmund made the offer as smoothly as he could.
“I’ve not a thing to wear.” That was her first comment, then Pen wrinkled her nose. “What does being a gentleman mean to you there?”
“It means making sure you have a drink when you want one or a dance when you want that. Putting myself between you and young men whose attentions you do not care to encourage. While, if you like, clearing the way for anyone who does interest you. Dance cards were so useful that way, I gather, in older days. I do that sort of thing for Mama regularly, when we’re at some event and Papa isn’t handy.
I promise Mama’s trained me well. I do it for my sisters and my friends, too. ”
It earned him an entirely sceptical look, but that was fine and as it should be. “I still haven’t anything to wear.” She repeated it firmly.
“Oh, I can arrange a loan quite easily. If you’d be willing to share your measurements.
Either with me, or I can tell you where to send them by note or journal.
And a little idea of colours and styles.
” That one at least had a simple solution.
Aunt Cassie, Master Benton’s wife, had racks of fancy frocks for the purpose these days, things that could be changed up a little and loaned out.
Most had been made before the war, and it largely solved the problems of clothes rationing.
“You might want a quick fitting in Trellech for it, but that can also be sorted.”
“You seem to have an answer for everything.” Pen looked out toward the river. “What do I get in return?”
Most women, he suspected, would have considered the chance of the outing and a night in a nice frock a reasonable exchange.
He rather liked that she didn’t. “My help in looking at those advertisements. I agree that one’s probably better done in writing.
Whatever my skills can provide in terms of Miss Cecily Styles.
If there are other inducements I can offer, I’m certainly open to entertaining negotiation. ”
She pursed her lips. “That will do for the moment.” Again, he was not sure at all how to read her tone or mood.
But then she nodded, once. “All right. Tell me where to write about the frock.” She seemed to be treating it with a dubious acquiescence, as if it’d turn from fairy gold into leaves in the morning.
“As you wish.” He’d let Aunt Cassie know that was coming, but he was certain it wouldn’t be a problem. “Shall we head back?”
That got him another nod. She leaned back against the back of her seat while he put the various dishes away and took up the pole again.
Once they were moving back towards the boathouse, she talked a little about the town where she’d grown up.
Nothing personal, though she turned out to have a good eye for the birds and plants of the landscape.