Lady Guinevere tracked the movement.“Answer another question.”
“If I can.”
“Where did all these plants come from?”
From wall to wall, from door to window, some creeping across the floor and others brushing the ceiling, the room was bursting with blooms.
“Apollo Chester sent them.”
“Fascinating.”Lady Guinevere stood and roamed from plant to plant.“And infuriating.He’d better not be planning to steal my clients.I cannot reopen soon, but your beau is not to step into the gap during my absence.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ve got enough troubles as it is!Paxton is breathing down my neck.Three letters just this week.”
“Lady Guinevere, I’m afraid I don’t understand a word.Should I?Who is Paxton?”
“No one.Absolutelyno one.But your Mr.Chester is a problem.Definitely a problem if he thinks to?—”
“Please do explain in more elucidating terms.”
“Love potion.”Lady Guinevere plucked a red camelia and rolled the stem between her fingers.“All the ingredients are here.”
“Are they?”Sybil breathed, looking about.Everywhere red and pink and white blooms like fireworks.Everywhere green and growing.
“They’re in excellent shape, I must say.You’re taking wonderful care of them.Though they’re not getting the best light here.You should move them.”
Sybil joined Lady Guinevere and stroked her finger down a red petal of a camelia.“They come like this—healthy and thriving.I’ve had some for weeks.I assume the servants are watering them, but I’m not doing a thing.”
“What?No.”Lady Guinevere straightened then made for the door.
Sybil followed.“What’s wrong?”
“Do you know where that scoundrel of yours is?”She stepped out onto the street in front of the terrace, Sybil close behind.
“No.”She tried to sound patient, understanding.He was trying to figure out his life.She couldn’t be entirely irritated he’d abandoned her.She could be a little irritated, though.A little worried.“My father says he’s not been to the guild, and the flowers are delivered from an address on Philpot Lane.”
“Philpot… Philpot…” Mumbling to herself, Lady Guinevere hailed a hack.“Are you coming?”
Why not?Sybil and the potion mistress climbed aboard when a hack stopped before them.
“Philpot Lane,” Lady Guinevere told the driver.
As they settled next to one another inside the conveyance, Sybil said, “What is going on?”
“Potentially, competition.Which I will not abide.And certainly, something of great interest.I’m quite good with plants, did you know that?”
“I assumed something of the sort.”
“Yes, well, it’s more than a green thumb.I have this ability to… God, don’t laugh.”
Sybil made her face as solemn as possible.
“I can speak with them.Not real words, but I… I know what they need, and I can give it to them.”
Like the fire and heat and metal for Sybil.“I understand.Though I’ve never heard of such a talent.”She’d seen it, though.In Apollo.
“Yes, well,” Lady Guinevere grumbled, “it’s not particularly respected.In fact… you alchemists have your secrets and we transcendents have ours.”
