“Really?”Councilmember Wrenwhistle asked, brightening.He scooted forward.“What would you suggest?”
“Well, for the second item, I’d really love to have some people trained to show others.I think we might do well to set up a sort of course that travels around the country and teaches others.It’s one thing to improve relations between fae and humans in London; it’s another matter entirely to spread that attitude across a bigger scope.”
“Fascinating,” Councilmember Wrenwhistle replied.“And do you?—”
Councilmember Pimpernel-Smith stopped him with a hand on his arm.“Forgive me for interrupting you, Roger,” they said quietly.“But I’m wondering if it might be advisable to have Mr.Moore stay the night, or perhaps even a few days.I imagine the two of you could go on for hours at this rate,” they added with a smile.“And it would be good to take advantage of Silas’ presence here so both he and Wyndham can talk to Mr.Moore.If our new friend can approach your father with four recommendations, it will definitely further his goal.And if there are any challenges in terms of getting along with any of us, we would do well to discover that now rather than in the Council chambers.”
Conrad’s heart lifted.This was the best scenario he had imagined—it was actually much,muchbetter than he had imagined.Never in his wildest dreams could he have anticipated his visit would garner him introductions to four councilmembers at once!But it wouldn’t do to look like he was angling for a free stay, so he stayed silent and kept his expression hopeful.
Councilmember Wrenwhistle seemed pleased by the suggestion as well.But almost as soon as his face brightened with agreement, it fell as well.“Oh dear.We have no more rooms.”He turned to Conrad with an apologetic look.“We’re having some friends over at present.So we’re a bit at capacity, you see.”
“I don’t wish to inconvenience you,” Conrad said.“I am happy to stay in the servant’s quarters or take a room in the village.”
The gentleman looked horrified.“The village is miles away!And, good heavens, I willnothouse a guest in the servants quarters.It really is perfect that so many of us are here at once; I just wish we had a little more space.”
Councilmember Pimpernel-Smith seemed thoughtful.“I wonder if Mr.Ravenwing might be persuaded to share his room.”
Conrad didn’t know how Councilmember Wrenwhistle looked even more scandalized, but he managed it.“He might, but—” he glanced at Conrad and then turned back to his friend and said in a low voice, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
Councilmember Pimpernel-Smith shrugged.“It’s worth asking him.”
Councilmember Wrenwhistle wrung his hands together.“How old are you, if you don’t mind my asking, Mr.Moore?”
“Thirty-five,” Conrad answered, mystified.
The gentleman looked a little more at ease.“Well, you’re of age, at least.You see, there’s one room with only one occupant, but…well, he’s fae, and I don’t wish to put you in an uncomfortable position.”
Conrad couldn’t have planned this conversation to go better if he’d tried.He was getting the opportunity to stay overnight, talk with multiple councilmembers,andhe’d get the chance to prove he could get along well with fae?He beamed.“I assure you, I won’t be in the least bit uncomfortable.If your friend is amenable to the idea, I would be happy to share the space during my stay.”
Councilmember Wrenwhistle relaxed.Councilmember Pimpernel-Smith looked like they wanted to laugh.“Perhaps I should go and ask him while you have tea with Mr.Moore.”
“What an excellent idea,” Councilmember Wrenwhistle said.“Thank you, Torquil.”
Councilmember Pimpernel-Smith gave their friend a little wink, gave Conrad a bow, and left the room.A few moments later, the tea was brought in and Conrad spent a lovely half hour talking to his host about his journey, how he’d come to learn about the position, and all of the things that Council had achieved recently that he was most impressed by.By the time Councilmember Pimpernel-Smith returned to say that Mr.Ravenwing had agreed to the arrangement, Conrad was calling Councilmember Wrenwhistle by his first name, and he had never felt prouder for concocting such a bold scheme.Everything was working outbeautifully.
* * *
After his roomhad been arranged, Roger ordered a bath for Conrad.The mysterious Ravenwing fellow sharing the room was not present and had clearly not anticipated compromising on his space at all.His things were spread out across the bedroom.Conrad took his bag to the side of the bed with the least amount of items on it and began laying out his clothes.While the servants prepared the bath, Conrad decided which of his clothes was the most presentable for dinner.Thankfully, among the three outfits he had packed, he had included his best coat.He knew it would be nothing compared to the rest of the guests’, but he was here to apply for a position; it was best if they knew exactly who he was and what his station was.A dockworker from Bristol was not apt to have elegant attire, but that did not mean he didn’t have sound ideas.If anything, the class differences would be a point in his favor, offer a variety of viewpoints.He felt cheered as he folded the clothes he wasn’t wearing and returned them to his bag.The wardrobe was fully stuffed with clothing, so Conrad didn’t bother attempting to squeeze his things in.He didn’t wish to make a bad first impression on Mr.Ravenwing by combining their clothing prematurely.
As he got into the bath, he began speculating on how to approach meeting the others at dinner.He had prepared himself for an interview of sorts with the Wrenwhistles, but he was not at all sure what to do at a house party.He scrubbed himself clean with lavender-scented soap, fascinated by the opulence.Then he dressed himself for dinner and strode back downstairs, following the sounds of voices until he reached a large sitting room where a dozen people milled about and chatted.
Roger noticed him first, although Conrad suspected the man had been keeping an eye out for him.He beckoned him forward and wasted no time in introducing the gentleman at his side.
“Conrad, this is my husband, Wyndham Wrenwhistle.Wyn, this is the fellow I was telling you about, who wants to join the Council.”
Councilmember Wyndham Wrenwhistle was tall, slender, and elegant, with pale skin and golden brown, shoulder-length hair that was tucked behind his pointed ears.He gave Conrad a smirk.“Ah, yes.The one staying in Sage’s room.Hopefully that experience doesn’t send you scurrying back to your home come morning.”
Roger shushed his husband.“Don’t say that,” he whispered.
Conrad laughed.“I doubt it, sir.And I do appreciate your hospitality, especially considering how unexpected I was.”
The gentleman shrugged in response.“What’s another person more or less at a house party?And you can call me Wyndham.If we get along, it will reduce confusion.So many Wrenwhistles in residence right now.If we don’t get along, I doubt we’ll see much of each other for it to make a difference.”
Conrad beamed at him.“A pleasure, Wyndham.And do call me Conrad.”
“Why don’t I introduce you to the rest of our guests?”Roger said, taking Conrad’s arm.Wyndham sauntered towards a quieter part of the room as soon as his husband was no longer at his side.“Now you already know Torquil,” Roger said as he led Conrad to one of the couples watching him with curiosity.“This is their husband, Mr.Emrys Wrenwhistle.Emrys, this is Mr.Moore.”
Mr.Wrenwhistle was a little shorter than Wyndham, though still quite tall, and a little broader around the shoulders.His hair was shorter and his expression was much friendlier.Although he seemed just as proud of the spouse on his arm as Wyndham had been of Roger.
