Chapter 6
Mercury pondered the complicated strategy he’d given himself as he made his way to his favorite sitting room.
While clients weren’t forbidden from entering, it was a little difficult to find, which made it a good place to retreat.
Sometimes he needed the escape to relax, sometimes he needed it to think.
On that day, strategizing was at the top of his list.
Testy Tolver was known to debate, and the Cream Canary didn’t seem to like that about the Other Hand. But Testy wasn’t actually unpleasant, so the Padmores wouldn’t be unhappy with him. That was one option in his risky approach to this trade.
The Quiet Queen didn’t engage in discussions ninety percent of the time. He didn’t think the Padmores would mind. The Other Hand likely wouldn’t even notice; he didn’t seem to need anyone to participate in his debates.
Baby Blue floated through the wall, expression drawn. “Miss Wilde is spending the morning with Mrs. Padmore.” There was a pout in the words. “I wanted her to read me a story.”
“I’m sorry,” Mercury said. “I’ve missed her company as well.” He truly had.
Baby sat on the floor in front of him. “Will she always be too busy when clients are here?”
“I don’t know. Likely sometimes.”
Baby sighed so deeply and dramatically that he actually sank through the floor a little. Mercury would need to talk with Tacey to see if they could work out a schedule that allowed Baby Blue to not feel neglected while still giving Tacey time to help with clients.
Smythe entered the room. As he wasn’t bringing tea or a newspaper or anything like that, this likely was a disruption Mercury couldn’t avoid.
“Mr. Caleb Sappington has arrived, sir. He wishes to undertake another trade.”
Mr. Sappington had been at Aventine Manor only nine months earlier, ending his visit in a Transferal. He’d seemed happy with the trade, and he hadn’t struck Mercury as someone who was likely to be a rapid trader, switching ghosts as soon as he reached the minimum six-month interval.
Why, then, was he back?
“Mr. Sappington took note of the Padmores in the drawing room and joined them there. Shall I move him to the base of the stairs so he can watch the usual display?”
Mercury almost never skipped it, though he was more likely to do so with returning clients. Somehow, forgoing the performance seemed the right thing to do this time.
He rose from his chair, having spent far too little time there.
Mercury moved his iron key from the pocket of the jacket he had been wearing to the pocket of his client-greeting jacket before donning it.
Then he made his way down the stairs and to the drawing room.
While his current situation was in a bit of upheaval, greeting clients and preparing for a swap was familiar.
And, blast it all, he was exceptionally good at it.
Mr. Sappington was inside the drawing room, as was the ghost he had left Aventine with, Professor Daskalov. The Padmores were inside as well. As was Tacey.
Quite the gathering.
“Welcome back to Aventine Manor,” Mercury said, crossing to Mr. Sappington. “Have introductions been made?” Mercury motioned to the others in the room.
“Gary the Green undertook them.” Mr. Sappington indicated the ghost with a smile and a nod of his head.
“Mr. Sappington is a painter,” Mrs. Padmore said to Mercury with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
“Yes. Quite a talented one, in fact.” To Mr. Sappington, Mercury said, “It is a pleasure to see you again. I understand you are interested in another trade. I hope you have not been displeased with your choice these past months.”
“Not at all.”
Mr. Padmore nodded minutely at his wife. She pressed a hand to her heart and took a noticeably deep breath. They had, apparently, harbored some uncertainty.
“I am embarking soon on a journey to the Continent to paint glorious sites and see works from European masters,” Mr. Sappington said.
Mercury nodded. “You must be excited.”
“Beyond words.” The young artist’s grin added emphasis to the declaration. “But Professor Daskalov”—he motioned to the ghost—“is not at all fond of travel.”
Ah. “We do have several ghosts here who enjoy travel. I am confident you will find one among them who is an excellent fit.”
Baby Blue, followed closely by Zizzy, floated into the room. “I told you he was back.”
Both ghosts smiled broadly as they moved swiftly to Professor Daskalov.
He could come across standoffish and a touch inhospitable, but he was actually quite softhearted.
He’d been at Aventine Manor for nearly a year before being traded to Mr. Sappington, and in that time had become quite avuncular toward both Zizzy and Baby Blue.
Mercury had liked him all the more for it.
“Are you staying long?” Zizzy asked him.
“We have come for a trade.”
Baby spun in an excited circle. Tacey and Mrs. Padmore both smiled at the little ghost’s show of enthusiasm.
To Tacey, Mrs. Padmore said, “I didn’t realize ghosts could be children.”
“Baby Blue is a darling,” Tacey said. “In every way a child other than the fact that he doesn’t age at all.”
“He seems very sweet.”
Tacey nodded. “He is.”
Mr. Padmore motioned Mercury over to him. “This painter has come to trade his ghost for one of yours?”
“He has.”
“What if he decides he wants the same ghost we decide we would like?”
“I have often had more than one client here at a time,” Mercury said, “and I have not yet faced that predicament. What each person wants and needs in a ghostly attachment is very personal and unique. It is unlikely that one ghost would be an excellent fit for two different people at the same time.”
“But what if that is precisely what occurs?” Mr. Padmore looked more worried than anticipatorily offended.
“We will address that difficulty if it arises.” Mercury smoothed his cuff in just the way he knew conveyed a sense of control but also composure. “But, please set your mind at ease. It is very unlikely to occur.”
That did seem to assuage him a little. Mercury caught sight of Captain Capitate approaching the door to the drawing room. His eyes settled on Baby, and he reached for his head.
Mercury turned in his direction and gave him a firm look of warning. The Captain sighed loudly, then turned from the doorway, head still in place.
“I certainly hope we will be playing a different game tonight,” Testy Tolver said.
“There are plenty to choose from,” Mercury assured him. “We’ll find one everyone can enjoy.”
Testy pursed his lips, which slightly contorted his face. Ghostly features had the ability to stretch or compact themselves. Sometimes it took a moment or two for them to return to their usual appearance.
To Smythe, who hovered quietly in the corner, Mercury said, “The ivory room would be a good choice for Mr. Sappington.”
“Very good, sir.” Smythe floated off to see to the arrangements.
Mercury tapped his fingers against the key in his pocket, wishing he felt more at ease. He had managed to sort a few things. But not nearly enough of the truly complicated issues had been resolved. His situation remained worryingly precarious.