Chapter 44 #2
Ros shook her head. “No. I’ve been learning German, though. And French and Arabic— that’s Uncle Alexander, obviously, same as Ed. Latin, of course.” Though it was clear she found that less directly of interest. “And we’re talking about Russian.”
“Russian seems like it might be rather relevant these days,” Pen agreed. She considered, then offered, “How have you decided which ones? Or learned them?”
“Mama and Papa made arrangements with teachers at Schola. I’m in Fox House, and Professor Knox is half French. Well, so is Uncle Alexander, but he’s less available for conversation often enough.”
“Pax, you,” Alexander spoke up from his seat.
He’d been quiet, listening to the conversation without saying anything.
Pen was under no illusions about the fact that he’d been evaluating both sides of it.
Especially her, probably. Presumably he had an excellent idea of what to expect from Merry and Ros.
He added to Pen, “Ibis Ward has been kind enough to lend a hand with the Arabic for the same reasons. I gather you’ve been chatting a fair bit with Cammie? ”
“I have, though we’ve plans for a lot more. I’m to pick up with them properly next week, and more once Edmund’s away.” That much, at least, she had a grip on. “I fully expect to be overwhelmed for a bit. I’ve been trying to learn braille, though I can’t read it well at all.”
“Ah, that’s a particular skill. Most of us don’t train our fingers to be delicate enough.
You might talk to Ferry about it. Her work with fine threads has some relevance.
Not today. Give her a week. The Faire is an all-out effort on the equestrian side for us, and we can all use a breather.
” Lord Geoffrey spoke lightly, but there was a certain thread of something rigorous there, Pen could hear it under the surface.
From there, he guided the conversation along, with help from his wife.
They wandered from the history of the estate to the more recent incursions from the bombing range just to the west, though it was largely dismantled now.
Edmund spent a bit of time talking more about the general plans for his travel, including asking his sisters which bits of art he should make sure to see.
They both had opinions, though decidedly different ones. Ros had a lot of thoughts about paintings, while Merry decidedly preferred architecture. Once the meal was done, some sign invisible to Pen had the two young women standing up, making a pleasant farewell, and disappearing.
“Shall we go along to the library and chat some more?” Lady Lizzie stood, and Pen understood that it absolutely was not a suggestion.
Curiously, it was also not actually an order.
It lived in the space between the two. Perhaps that it was the only logical answer.
Certainly Pen would not fuss about it, so she agreed.
Once the five of them were seated there, with a mint tea, Pen felt the focus of the room shift.
“Best to talk about this now, I think.” Lady Lizzie spread out one hand. “You understand, of course, that Edmund’s interest will be noticed. Commented upon. Both privately and to a certain degree in public. The papers and such. Is that going to be a problem for you or your family?”
“My family is—” Pen shook her head immediately.
“Pardon. Let me frame that differently.” She felt Edmund cover her hand with his.
“Grandfather is an entirely proper sort of Victorian vicar. I love him dearly, but he is set in his ways and his assumptions. He is none too certain about someone like Edmund taking an interest. He has decades of stories about undergraduate men and their impulses. Which is not wrong, that’s the thing.
My aunt was also at Somerville, so it’s not as if I’m forging ahead on new ground. ”
“Ah.” Lady Lizzie considered. “Would you lay out his particular objections?”
“That men of that age and occupation are careless in various ways. With money, with their affections, with their commitments. And I am certain with things he would not discuss with me, in more personal terms. My parents have been— well.” She swallowed, glanced up, felt a bit uncertain again, but went on.
“My parents— Dad, especially— have been firm that I should do as I see fit. But it would be better if I avoided scandals.”
“I had not intended to court those in courting you,” Edmund said, with a rumbling purr to his voice that made Pen look at him sharply.
He grinned at her before adding, “Mama, obviously, we will not be unduly obvious in public. But I thought a few outings in Trellech, maybe in London, when I’m here over the long vac.
Bringing back a suitable gift or two that Pen can wear.
A fine shawl, a bit of a carved brooch. Pen, if you’d provide a list of what would be acceptable to your grandfather of that sort, I will be glad to adjust my gift giving to suit. ”
“Hah.” His mother snorted. “When Geoffrey and I became involved, I refused to accept a certain class of gifts— gems, in particular— until we were engaged. We both had a stash of such things at that point. A shawl, yes. A cameo, perhaps. Books, of course, if you find some that suit. Are you musical, Pen?”
“I enjoy it a great deal. I play the piano to the sort of tolerable level Grandfather expected, but I’m not at all talented at it. I sing well in a choir or something like that, but not as a soloist.”
“History of music, then, rather than sheet music. Perhaps some engravings that might be put in a sitting room or such.” Edmund’s mother nodded.
“But the music suggests a range of outings you might reasonably enjoy. There’s a great deal to be said for being seen at concerts regularly.
And it gives you something to talk about with people before and after.
Also, there's less chance of something scandalous you don’t know about becoming a problem than with theatre, much as that’s also enjoyable. ”
Alexander had been leaning back, listening.
“Don’t let Lizzie fool you. She has an exceedingly sharp eye for what music will catch someone’s attention.
Though I admit, she is also correct about the theatre.
Did you hear about that, then?” It was an oblique reference, meant for the others in the room.
Pen ventured. “I heard yesterday— no, pardon, the day before, something about an actor caught in a compromising situation with a patron of the opera. I didn’t catch the names, or the person I heard it from didn’t know them.
But I gather it also had something to do with something more secret on the government level? ”
“Did you hear that directly, or deduce it?” Alexander was suddenly leaning forward, but Lady Lizzie was as well.
Pen swallowed, not entirely sure what to do with the intense focus.
“Someone was making a solid attempt to get the gossip circulating. That was what caught my ear. Too much weight in the wrong places, a repeated word a few times? I’m not sure I could reconstruct it properly.
” It had been about the rhythm of it, in the sound, rather than on the page like she normally worked with code.
“No, that will do quite well.” Lady Lizzie looked delighted.
“Edmund, dearest, I owe you a forfeit. Pen, he has been singing your praises as clever in a way he is not, and you have just nicely proved that. Also, it is a pleasure to have him bring someone home who might appreciate some of my own interests in keeping track of the sadly relevant gossip. Twice over in that case, since part of it does involve government secrets, and part of it is designed to limit future action by relevant parties in other ways. I keep track of both, partly for Lap. Edmund’s Major Manse.
” She clarified the last when Pen looked blank.
“And besides, Giles thinks well of you already.” Lord Geoffrey shrugged, again with that show of lightness on the surface. He was not entirely fooling her there. Pen had seen enough of the men leading the huts at Bletchley to spot the underpinnings.
He waved his hand. “Edmund knows how to play this sort of match, and we will consider how to present you to best advantage. I think you’re quite right, Edmund, of some months of outings where you can be seen, as opportunity allows.
With something a little more settled at the winter solstice if you, Pen, are willing at that point.
There’s no need to fuss over rushing anything.
Just quietly show that you are happy with each other.
And,” His voice turned more amused. “That the various young women prowling around Edmund should find themselves others to hunt.”
“Papa.” Edmund sounded in good humour, though. “I admit, I will look forward to having that off my back. It’s tedious, more than anything. People will elbow into a conversation or insist on things I’d rather not spend my time on.”
Pen snorted. “You’d rather be studying, doing the crossword, or on a horse, I’m fairly sure.” Edmund blinked at her, looking bemused. “Or, all right, talking to me.” Doing other things than talking, not that Pen wanted to think about that here and now.
There was a brief silence after that, but before it could become too awkward, Lady Lizzie said, “Now, you’re welcome to visit here whenever Edmund likes.
Even if he’s not here. We’d be delighted to have you for a meal here or there while he’s away.
You made a good impression on Merry and Ros.
At least to start. Ros is not interested in cryptography, but she is interested in the theory.
And I suspect Merry will eventually have a number of questions about locational magic when she gets around to it. ”
“Thank you for the— yes, I’d be glad to come out, if that’s good on all ends. The food here, you must realise, how refreshing it is after hall.”
That got a laugh from Edmund’s father, who definitely had stories about his own time at Oxford.
They went on from there to conversations about food in different places, or different restrictions, from all three of the adults.
Lady Lizzie had done a fair bit of travelling when she was younger, and Alexander and Lord Geoffrey had been in terribly remote places at times.
Once they’d talked for an hour, Pen and Edmund were permitted to go off and do what they wanted.
Edmund arranged a loan of riding breeches to go with yesterday’s blouse, apparently a pair of his mother’s.
It wasn’t until they were well away, a good mile from the estate, that he said, “That went very well. I hope you’re not so intimidated by them you’re thinking you’ll give me up?”‘
“No.” Pen glanced over at him. “But if you’re feeling like you want to tempt me with some enticements, you’re welcome to. Your family are all quite sharp-witted. I might want restorative plans to look forward to after meals with them.”
That got Edmund laughing. The rest of the ride turned into a comfortable conversation about her likes and dislikes, his preferences. And what things both of them had in abundance and needed no more of.