She folded her hands deliberately in her lap. “Only fools try the same thing over and over. Perhaps your would-be conspirators have decided not to be fools.”
“I do believe you are no one’s fool, Miss Connors. But Laurent is,” Genevieve pointed out.
Gisela’s gaze snapped to her. “Is this what this meeting is about? Laurent?”
Kendrick said, “He is the other side of this coin. Laurent has not only plotted against me, but also has abused his privilege over those he turns and killed a human by proxy. His crimes go too far, and I believe that unless he is found, he will not show the good sense to stop, as you have.”
“I don’t know where he is.”
“But you know those who might,” Genevieve said.
The corners of her mouth turned down. “And in return for…what? Whispering in ears, I get to live?”
“You get to live either way,” Genevieve said flatly. “Much to my disappointment.”
Kendrick laid a hand over Genevieve’s. “What my wife means is, Miss Connors—we present you with two alternate futures. The direction we would like to take the Ossuary: the improvements and care for all its citizens, and the capacity of mercy that was so lacking in years past. And the direction Laurent would like to drag the Ossuary, which is exactly nowhere.”
“Or in whatever direction best serves his changing desires,” Genevieve said.
Kendrick told her, “I believe what we have said. You are a very intelligent and capable woman, one who probably chafed surrounded by men with grasping, self-serving ambitions. And probably many in the Ossuary realized that. Whatever direction you decide to support—or not support, as it happens—we simply ask that you let that decision be known.” He stood and bowed.
“All the vampire members of your household are also invited to our New Year’s ball,” Genevieve said, dipping her hand into her reticule and handing Gisela the invitation. “There will not be refreshments, but an evening of conversation and dancing and entertainment. I hope you will all be able to come. Everyone in the Ossuary is welcome.”
“Do you think anything will come of it?” Genevieve asked as she and Kendrick took their leave of the Connors household and stepped out onto the dark street, a few cabs and a carriage passing in front of the house.
“All we can do is plant seeds and see,” Kendrick said. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“I wasn’t going to let you step into the lion’s den alone,” she said tartly, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. In an altogether different tone, she added, “But you were right. Holding a grudge against Gisela will not be helpful for the Ossuary.”
“I do have productive ideas every so often.” He smirked.
“You didn’t even use your talent on her.”
“No. I think she is the sort who is hypersensitive to that sort of thing, like you. I had to rely on words alone.”
“Poor you.” Genevieve smiled. “I don’treallyhate Gisela. I just take exception to people who try to kill you.”
He set his hand over hers and squeezed. “Since that brought your path to cross with mine in the first place, I’ll never cease being grateful for it, Jenny.”
ChapterThirty-Four
Kendrick returned home one evening covered in whitewash from Ossuary improvements to find Genevieve pacing stiff-armed outside the ballroom, a pinched look on her face as loud voices echoed behind the door. “What’s toward?” he asked. Ball preparations had consumed Genevieve the last two nights.
“Nothing dire,” she said with a sigh. “Merely a conflict between some of the musicians. The conductor is entirely fixed on the ‘correct’ way an orchestra should perform. But we have two performers who are insistent the only instruments they know how to play—though I think it should bewillingto play—are the hurdy-gurdy and psaltery.” As voices rose once again behind the door, she winced. “Perhaps letting them work it out themselves was not the best idea, but I don’t think I can go back in now. We hired Monsieur Dupont as maestro, and to go back in now and sort it out would diminish his authority.”
“Wise of you. What else is causing that frown?”
“Oh,” she sighed. “It’s Fletcher. His sleep is entirely disordered from being in a household that is always active, and I feel a bit guilty about it. He doesn’t seem to mind being awake at two in the morning, though.”
“As long as heissleeping, I don’t see it harming him. Part of it is the newness. The other part is that he likely was used to it even before—he walked you back from Sally’s consistently late at night, and we don’t know what he did after that. He will settle into a rhythm.”
“I think he is, but I don’t know,” Genevieve admitted.
“I was planning to join Dominic at the fencing club after I wash. I’ll bring him along.” When Genevieve bit her lip, Kendrick said, “He will enjoy it, and a boy ought to have weapons training. I learned the spear at his age, or even younger.”
“Not in this era,” Genevieve said with a bit of fond exasperation.
“Any era. And it will tire him out.” Kendrick leaned to kiss Genevieve carefully on the mouth without touching her elsewhere. “I will content myself with this so I do not mar your gown with whitewash. We’ll be back before dawn.”
