30. Conrad
CONRAD
Conrad thought that working with Roger and Wyndham had been enjoyable before.
But it turned out to be nowhere near as fun as when Sage joined.
This was partly because Conrad’s magic was so much more powerful when he cast along with Sage.
He couldn’t understand it, but he didn’t entirely mind the mystery of it either.
He knew it wasn’t because Sage was fae; Wyndham was fae and Conrad’s spells had not turned out like that with him.
Conrad privately liked that Sage was the one who had such an effect.
Considering his confession the night before, it felt right that Sage would get to be a part of something like this, to prove in a tangible way that he was more than how he thought of himself—even down to his magic.
Conrad found it all a good deal more fun too because he’d come to realize that he missed Sage when they were split up for a day.
It was nice to have him by his side at the desk.
It was nice to see him using magic, for all that Conrad couldn’t feel it, he could see it.
And he liked having Sage be a part of his Council work, even to a degree.
A selfish part of him hoped that it would mean he’d get to see Sage more when they returned to London.
The levitation spell was not the only point of success.
With Roger and Wyndham’s help, Conrad and Sage performed a breeze spell, a cleaning spell, and even a fire spell.
Conrad felt some slight disappointment at not being able to feel any of the magic happening before him, as the others could.
But he could tell that the magic was sharper and more powerful.
All of his spells seemed bolder than when he did them alone. It was a heady feeling.
They worked all day and by the time dinner was called, Conrad was torn between being ready for a break and wanting to work into the night. Roger chuckled at his expression as they filed out of the study. “I know the feeling,” he said. “It is exhilarating working with another person.”
Conrad grinned and glanced at Sage, reaching for his hand. “It is. I’ve never known anything like it. I could do this for days.”
Sage wrinkled his nose. “Considering how much work you need to do for every spell, I cannot imagine you continuing longer. You’d collapse.”
Conrad squeezed his hand. “You’re right. It’s probably just as well that we’re pausing, isn’t it?”
Sage nodded. “You missed lunch.”
Conrad couldn’t hide the smile that took over his face. They had all missed lunch, but Sage was only thinking of him. “It wouldn’t be the first time I missed a meal for work.”
That set Sage’s mouth into a grim line. “Yes, well, we’ve already established that you haven’t been properly cared for in the past. There’s no need to continue that pattern now.”
Warmth blossomed in Conrad’s chest at the words.
He half wished they were alone so he could pull Sage close and discover the meaning behind the words.
Did Sage intend to continue seeing him, looking after him, caring for him after the party was over?
Since he couldn’t ask, he tried for levity. “My hero.”
Sage snorted and rolled his eyes. Roger and Wyndham exchanged a look that was undeniably smug.
Dinner was a lively affair. Roger and Conrad both answered a multitude of questions regarding what had kept them in the study for two days straight.
Wyndham chimed in a fair amount, but Sage remained tight-lipped, only responding when he was directly asked a question.
Conrad had no idea why he was still uncomfortable about the situation, but he took care to step in and answer for Sage whenever possible.
He could feel Sage relax beside him when the attention was effectively deflected, but Conrad didn’t let him off the hook entirely—he was eloquent in how impressed he was by Sage’s magic and his impact on Conrad’s magic.
Thankfully, most of the people at the table seemed unsurprised by this, although there were more knowing looks exchanged that made Conrad certain he was missing some sort of valuable information.
The conversation flowed to how some of the other pairs had found their spells affected by working with their spouse.
It made Conrad feel as if he was getting closer to the mystery, but just barely out of his grasp.
He didn’t dare ask though, for fear of making Sage go tense again.
He was relaxed now that the focus had moved on to others.
When they gathered in the sitting room for the promised game, Sage took a seat on a settee, and pulled Conrad to his side. Conrad felt ready to burst with pride at seeing Sage sitting amongst the group. As soon as everyone settled down, Harriet arched an eyebrow and held her book up.
“I don’t think I need to give the usual warning here,” she said.
“No,” Wyndham agreed. “We all know you’ve picked the most salacious option possible. We have all brought our figurative smelling salts.” He wrapped an arm around Roger’s shoulders as if to prove the point.
Harriet laughed, straightened, and then cleared her throat performatively.
“We are feeling magnanimous indeed,
For here are two hints for the first word of three:
Think first of a point of a dagger or sword,
If that does not suit, imagine pouring something onto the floor.
But there is one item that you need not fear should fall,
It is of soft and heavy drape, be it used on rod, or dress, or curtain call.”
“That rhyming should please you, Keelan,” Emrys said, laughing.
Keelan tilted his chin up. “The rhyming was sufficient, but the rhythm was—” The other man cajoled him teasingly.
“Did I miss something?” Lady Imogen asked. “There are three words, but I only heard two hints. Well, two hints for one word, and one hint for another. What of the third word?”
“Perhaps the third word is simple enough that we don’t need a hint,” Fern offered.
“Or perhaps we’ll know the third word when we get the first two,” Cyril said.
Lady Imogen harrumphed a bit. “I think that’s silly.”
Lady Anthea patted her arm. “Let’s take it in pieces anyway. Repeat the first hint, Harriet.”
Harriet gave her a quelling look. “Repeat the first hint, Harriet, please .”
Anthea rolled her eyes. “Oh, for goodness’ sake. Please give us the first hint of this undoubtedly scandalous riddle again so you can watch us grapple together.”
“That’s better,” Harriet said pertly. “Just because you’re a lady now, Anthea, doesn’t mean you needn’t abide by rules of politeness.”
“Are you really chiding Anthea on politeness?” Roger asked. “Given what you’re making us do right now?”
Harriet didn’t respond to that, instead repeating the first part of the riddle.
“The point of a sword?” Keelan repeated. “Isn’t that just…the point?”
“The blade perhaps?” Cyril offered.
“But you wouldn’t call a blade something you pour on the floor,” Sage argued.
“I don’t think the second hint is the thing we’re pouring onto the floor,” Conrad said, bringing his hand to Sage’s lap. “I think it’s another word for pouring something.”
“Yes, Sage, ” Emrys said.
Sage narrowed his eyes. “Don’t pretend you knew that.”
Torquil laughed and patted Emrys’ knee. “Right, so we need to find a word that fits both, yes?”
“A blade and to pour?” Cyril asked, frowning. “There’s no such word.”
“Let’s get away from blade ,” Wyndham said. “It clearly isn’t that.”
“A…prick?” Fern asked hopefully. Harriet threw back her head and laughed. “That would be a no then,” they said cheerfully.
“Oh, but it was worth it to hear you say that,” Harriet said, wiping fake tears from her eyes.
“To stab!” Cyril shouted.
“No, no,” Roger said, “you don’t stab something onto the floor.”
“Well,” Torquil drawled, “you do sometimes.”
“I can stab you onto the floor tonight, if you’d like,” Emrys said with a waggle of his eyebrows.
Wyndham groaned.
“Sounds messy,” Cyril said with distaste.
Silas snorted into Keelan’s shoulder.
“I think we should focus on the next part,” Sage said.
“Agreed. The two hints are confusing us too much,” Conrad said, smiling at him.
“Our champions have spoken,” Wyndham intoned. “Please read the last hint again, Harriet.”
“With pleasure, Wyndham.”
“Right, so heavy fabric,” Conrad muttered after she finished.
“And used for curtain calls?” Roger asked.
“The theater,” Sage explained. “Velvet.”
And then, as one, Conrad and Sage shouted, “Tip the velvet!”
Harriet cackled. “Yes!”
“You can’t pretend you couldn’t know that one,” Emrys said to the Ladies Fitzhugh with a smirk.
“Tip!” Keelan said after a long moment. “The tip of the blade and to tip something onto the floor. I get it now.”
“How is that salacious?” Cyril asked with a frown.
Fern chuckled. “I’ll explain it to you later.”
Harriet gave another hoot of laughter and Cyril turned bright red when he seemed to realize what sort of an explanation that was bound to be.
“Right,” Roger said loudly. “On that note, we really ought to go to bed now.”
“Indeed,” Emrys drawled. “What a good note to end on. Harriet, my congratulations. We ought to end every evening with suggestions for what to do after.”
“Do not encourage her,” Roger groaned.
Everyone began to get up and file out of the room. Conrad turned to Sage with a grin. “Still the reigning champions of salacious riddles,” he said.
“Mm. It’s nice to have something to one’s name, I suppose.”