Niklos made his way back into the townhouse, only to be greeted by Jacob in the main hall. “My lord, how was dinner with Petrea nò Cereus?”
With a glance, Nik told Jacob that there was to be a conversation, and Jacob moved toward the library, quiet this night with the others out on the town. Some had announced they were going out for a show at the Royal Theater, and others were undoubtedly in the Hall of Games. That was an experience that Niklos would not want to revisit anytime soon. The last time he was there, he’d been almost accosted by that de Bretel lordling. Well, the man hadn’t truly accosted him, he was just using Niklos as an excuse to get away from his companions for a time, and there might be something good that came out of that conversation anyway. It was no big loss.
Nik sighed as he slumped into one of the overstuffed chairs, waving off Jacob’s offer to pour him a drink. “I’m too damned full, Jacob, but thank you. You asked about dinner. Well, I didn’t end up having dinner with Petrea. She had something come up, so I was passed off to some adept… an Aimée nò Cereus. Are you familiar with her?”
Jacob blinked, then frowned and blinked again. Niklos was never this abrupt. He sounded frustrated, which threw Jacob off his mental lists. “I… possibly, my Lord? I apologize. Cereus has never treated you like that. Some of the others, perhaps, when they deign to visit, but not you. I need a moment.”
Niklos nodded. “Understood. Dinner was excellent. If I hadn’t been spoiled by our cook here, I might have even said it was one of the best dinners I’ve had. But you know Aliksandria has been trying to steal our cook from us for years. She can’t find anyone who can compare. Dinner was excellent, and the conversation was decent. I mentioned the silversmith to the adept and she didn’t react, so she may not know what’s going on, or news may not have reached Mont Nuit yet, which I suspect is more likely the case.”
Jacob nodded, then his eyes twinkled, and Niklos knew the man had something for him. “Aimée nò Cereus, my lord, is rumored to be both Aliksandria’s and Petrea’s assistant. I am surprised you haven’t met her before. Perhaps one of them felt the two of you should meet to establish another line of communication?”
Niklos chuckled and shook his head. “Likely both of them, but I think it would have been halfway decent of them to let her know who I was before chucking her into the fire. At least I didn’t get fobbed off on some random adept. I think I put her off by wishing her well after dinner. I don’t think she knew that it was just dinner.”
“Dinner and information, my Lord.” Niklos shook his head at Jacob’s addition, knowing the man was right.