The Cogsmith's Daughter (Desertera #1)(25)
“Lord Varick thought it wise for the three of us to have a little chat about the terms of your employment.”
“Oh?” Aya bit her lip, glancing between the two of them.
“Yes.” Lord Varick took a drink from his own glass. “And I thought the wine might help us all get through it with some cheer.”
Madam Huxley did not smile. Aya looked down at the drink in her hand. Wine. It must be a fancier version of the crude alcohol the wellmen used to brighten their spirits and get into trouble. She gave it a little swirl and sniffed it, discovering a strange mix of sweet and bitter.
“You see, Aya,” Lord Varick continued, “while you are participating in this mission, we cannot risk your working at the Rudder. Obviously, if one of the noblemen recognized you, that would jeopardize our entire operation.”
Aya raised an eyebrow. “Why would the noblemen recognize me now? They’ve never taken a second look at me before.”
“Before, you were just another corset in the brothel, and since you did not serve the nobles, they had no reason to notice you.” Lord Varick shifted in his seat. “Now that you have debuted as my ward, you will be a topic of conversation. The nobles will remember your face and study you as one of their own. You would certainly be recognized.”
“Of course, we realize that your primary clientele is merchants.” Madam Huxley smirked. “The risk of running into a nobleman is significantly reduced if you are confined to your room and chaperoned in and out only when the establishment is empty. However, Lord Varick astutely noted that some merchants do visit the palace to bring their goods, and if one of these men were to recognize you, it would create complications.”
As Madam Huxley took another drink, Aya widened her eyes and mouthed a “thank you” to Lord Varick. He nodded. Aya tried a sip of her wine. Like its scent, it tasted part sweet and part sour, and as it slid down her throat, it left a warm, fuzzy feeling on her tongue.
“I agree that postponing my work is the safest option to ensure our uninterrupted progress.” Aya forced her tone to remain level. Inside, she beamed.
Lord Varick grinned.
“Postponing?” Madam Huxley asked, wrinkling her nose. “Lord Varick informs me that you wish to permanently abandon your work. He says that the two of you struck a bargain, and in return for your assistance, he is to purchase your father’s old shop so you can begin your own cogsmith business.”
This time, the look Aya gave Lord Varick was not so grateful. While he did save her from an uncomfortable discussion with Madam, Aya would have preferred to keep her intentions private until she completed the mission. But the secret was out now, and if she wanted to escape Madam Huxley’s influence once and for all, Aya couldn’t be obedient any longer.
“That is correct.” Aya squared her shoulders. “I’d intended to deliver the news a little more delicately, businesswoman to businesswoman. You understand.”
Madam Huxley’s eyes burned, their flame directed straight at Aya. It took all of Aya’s strength not to look away, but she knew that the woman who averted her eyes first would lose.
“Well, I suppose it is settled, then,” Lord Varick said with a small clap of the hands.
Madam Huxley turned to look at him, and Aya smiled. “I do have one question. Madam Huxley, I realize I will not be a great loss to your establishment, but I have never seen you relinquish a worker so easily. What do you stand to gain here?”
Lord Varick’s face broke into a grin akin to that of a proud father. Madam Huxley pursed her lips. “As it stands, King Archon strictly enforces the death penalty for adultery, in a way that no other royal leader has. This has left the noblemen, and people all over the kingdom, terrified to transgress. Given that the majority of Desertera’s population is married, you can see how this fear might cut down on my client base.”
“You believe that, if King Archon is executed, the rules around adultery will once again relax, and more people will feel secure enough to frequent the Rudder?” Aya appraised Madam Huxley over the edge of her wineglass.
“I certainly can’t imagine how it would be bad for business to have a king like Archon out of the picture,” Madam Huxley scoffed.
“And you think Prince Lionel will be more lenient?” Aya thought so. After the way the prince had so easily succumbed to the king’s pressure to order the death of Aya’s father, Aya knew he was a coward. He wouldn’t do a thing to stop people like Madam Huxley.
Madam Huxley smirked. “I think Prince Lionel would quite love adultery to be legal again.”
“Why is that?” Aya took another drink, hoping to conceal the pink tint growing along her neck. Coyness always flushed her skin.
Lord Varick chuckled. “Prince Lionel has a very public reputation as a charmer. I have seen many a young lady eying him at balls and even more crying into their tea over him. He has certainly inherited his father’s love of women. He simply hasn’t been foolish enough to bind himself to one yet.”
Aya stared into her wine. It figured that such a weak-willed boy would grow into a pig of a man, just like his father. Aya almost pitied the girls who were dumb enough to fall victim to his charms, but if they were not intelligent enough to see a snake in their beds, they probably deserved to be bitten.
“Well then.” Lord Varick tapped his cane on the floor, snapping Aya out of her thoughts. “Now that we all understand our motives are harmonious, why don’t you tell us more about your attempts to woo the king, Aya?”