Delphinium, or A Necromancer's Home (TCoLaD Book 2)

Dinner

~ (Continued) Hexday, 18th of Aprilis, 11831 ~

Those that had been chosen to have their fortunes told reunited with those that had stayed behind. Most of the group chatted amongst themselves, seemingly knowing each other or at least being in similar social circles. Pierre and Lizzy came out last and could not get to the door without being rude so they stood aside and waited, whispering to themselves about what had been said and what it could mean, keeping away from the rest.

"And what do you think my difficult choice that shall shape Piques be?" Elizabeth asked.

"I would presume whether you agree to be its duchesse," Pierre replied in a whisper. The noise she made was almost a squeak and Pierre bit his lip to keep from chuckling. Lizzy took a moment to compose herself before offering her reply.

"But I do not think that a difficult choice, darling. Unless you ask improperly, of course."

He made to retort in kind, but felt something stir in his person. Salome's soul and through her Wolfram's. Pluta's panic. He took Elizabeth's arm and lead her through the remaining guests, not caring for rudeness.

Then there was calm. Settling.

"Pierre! What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing." He stopped awkwardly, twisting his cane, digging it into the floor as all eyes were now on them. He smiled and straightened, offering everyone a nod of his head that could be thought of as a short bow. "I apologize Elizabeth, and of course my new friends, for such a rush. I misremembered something important, but it can be dealt with tomorrow."

"Not at all! Are you still free then, Your Grace? Come with us! The night is still young."

"Have you had dinner yet, Your Grace?"

"Your Grace, my lady, it would be an honor to be in your company!"

"What do you think, my lady fair?" the duc asked his love. "Shall we go out to eat and discuss, make some new friends?"

"I believe that would be a splendid idea, monsieur."

"Wonderful!" one of the men said. "Come along, then. I have reservations to the restaurant Carte Blanche, it has been booked for weeks now, though I am certain a few more chairs can be found for His Grace and Lady Eichel."

He walked over, bowing to Pierre and Elizabeth before shaking his hand and kissing hers. The man been one of the dozen chosen by the moths and Madame Veriette had said he would meet with interesting company soon.

"I am Valentin Michel, forgive the lack of manners. It is most pleasant to meet you tonight."

"It seems the Madame was right," Pierre said. "Though how interesting I am may be debatable."

Valentin laughed. "Your Grace, you are nothing but interesting. We have all been talking about you since you arrived, and it is truly an honor that you wish to consort with us this night.

"This was your first time with Madame Veriette, oui? It was a good choice to come out tonight. For special occasions she creates new ways to impress even her usual clients. For your own birthday celebration, Your Graceful Highness, she planted larkspur and caused it to grow until it reached higher than I stand!" He reached up into the air to show exactly how high that was. "Then the flowers fell and their arrangement and color foretold our futures."

Larkspur was the symbol of Triumphe and the royal house. Pierre tried not to take the connection further. It would be impossible for Madame Veriette to know that he would ingest the flower as a poison a few days later.

"It is not worrisome to be told your future so often?" Lizzy asked. They began to walk out of the building, the regulars dropping money into a tin on the way out. Pierre stopped by it to read how much was asked for—a whole half-livre—and was stopped from taking his purse out when Valentin turned around. He smiled, pulled out several bills, and dropped them in for both Pierre and Elizabeth.