Strike at Midnight(26)

“I would recommend the house red,” I told him as I reluctantly got out of my seat and walked behind the bar. It didn’t take me long to pour him a glass. “It’s not as good as what you’re used to drinking, I bet, but it’s wet and red.”

“All a man requires sometimes,” he said as I put the glass in front of him. “Thank you, my dear.”

He went to get a coin out of his pocket and I waved him off.

“You bought last time.”

“Why, thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome.”

“You’re paying for that, Rella,” Marcel said as he carried a board of food with him from the kitchen. “And for the food.”

“And for the rent, I know. Just make sure you deduct what Melody has already paid you for this month.” I made my way back to my seat and rubbed my hands with glee at the cold meats, bread, and the small jug of warm gravy he put in front of me. I took a few coins out of the pouch in my pocket and then threw the pouch at him. “Take what you need and put the rest back in my room.”

He caught the pouch and looked inside before smiling. “Thank you.”

“Make sure you only take what’s needed,” I said, pocketing the coins and attacking the meat. “I know what you’re like with money.”

He laughed and moved off to serve another patron.

“Sorry, Sir Raymond,” I said in between bites. “I do other things aside from eating, you know, but this is the first thing I’ve had today after breaking my fast.”

“Carry on, my dear,” he said, waving his hand and taking a sip of his wine. “There is nothing wrong with a woman who has a good appetite. It’s a sign of good childbearing if you ask me.”

The meat got stuck in my throat as I sucked in too much air at his mention of children. He had to pat me on the back until I could actually breathe again.

“Sorry,” he said, but he didn’t look sorry at all. He looked amused. “Now, those names you wanted of those who host a lot of balls. There wouldn’t be many who could host the larger events, so I would suggest the Camemberts, the Crickets, the Darlings, and the Collinses. They’re the ones with large enough estates to host such balls, and I’ve received a lot of invitations from the Camemberts in the past. They like to outdo everyone and they see themselves as leaders in fashion. They aren’t, of course—more like followers—but no one would dare confront Lady Camembert about it. She has a nasty tongue and a lot of influence.”

“Where are the Camembert lands?”

“Next one down to the duke’s, actually. Only they’re three times the size. It’s a fact Lady Camembert likes to brag about incessantly.”

“I’ll start there, then. But it will have to be tomorrow. I need to go and see my friend soon to see what she’s found out. I’ll give her this list so she can copy down the names.”

“Oh,” he said, looking up at the stage as Melody started to sing. “Would you mind dreadfully if I waited here for you to return? I would like to see what she has discovered.”

His eyes remained on Melody as he spoke, and I had to suppress a chuckle at the fact that that girl could get any man—of any age—under her spell within a few seconds.

“I don’t think this is the type of establishment you would usually frequent, Sir Raymond,” I said, but I may as well have been talking gibberish, because he replied, “I would love another glass, my dear. Start up a tab for me.”

He was hopeless. And a goner. But it gave me the chance to finish my food in silence after I had topped up his drink.

Once I was done, I waved Marcel over. Sir Raymond had moved off to sit closer to the stage.

“Would you mind keeping an eye on him? He’s going to wait here while I go to Rapunzel’s, but I don’t trust his judgment at the minute.”

“Let the old man have his fun,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “You know how her singing puts a smile on their faces.”

“I doubt it’s just her singing,” I said quietly, and then I handed him my empty board. “All finished, now I just have one more favor to ask.”

“Ask away,” he said, yanking the board out of my hands. “I have your money pouch, remember?”

After I glared at him for long enough, I said, “I need to borrow your horse to go and see Rapunzel.”

“Hire one,” he said, and his brow lowered into a frown.

“It’s too late for that, and a carriage won’t make it all the way out there.” I pouted a little. “Please?”

“You almost killed her last time.”

“That wasn’t my fault,” I admonished him. And it really hadn’t been. His pain-in-the-ass horse had decided she could swim and tried to take me for a dunk in the river. The stupid mare hadn’t listened to my instructions when we had been chasing Rumpelstiltskin on a kidnapping charge, and she had followed him into the water.

Rumpel had gotten away while I tried to fish Ginger out of the river, and it had taken me another two days to track him down after that. But I had bought her a bucketful of carrots with my fee after my temper had cooled down—even for that I deserved a damn medal.

“Stay away from the water,” he said, finally giving in, and I flashed him a grateful smile.