Aodh returned her grin, though he shuddered at the mention of the guard dog. That bloody thing would haunt his dreams for a time. She was right, of course, he was still alive and whole.
He lifted his leg with her help and it did feel better, the binding hurt at first but again, it seemed to help.
The letter, of course she was right, Aodh dug the bits of the letter from his waistcoat and handed it to her.
Sebastian,
Please give Veronica my compliments – what a magnificent dinner she arranged last week. I am pleased to have seen you both in such good health, and I look forward to seeing you again in a scorenight, when I am returned to the city.
I have not forgotten the matter we discussed, of course. I must apologize: there is nothing I can do. It has been decided, I am afraid, that you are simply not a good fit for our group. Do not think that I was not your advocate; I remember my promise, too, and I am determined to keep it: you have my recommendation for any number of other societies with which I am in high standing. In this, however, my hands are tied.
I hope you will not permit this to stand in the way of our friendship. Will you come to dinner with Diana and myself on the twentieth of Roalis? We have invited Peregrine Gillespie, with whom I believe you have been acquainted, along with his wife; and the Cavendish family, of course. If your doubtless busy schedule permits, we look forward to seeing you.
Your dear friend,
Anatole
As Ava read Aodh said.
“Blackthorns sister was pretty angry the woman her brother spent most of the night talkin’ to, didn’t name her just called her ‘that tart’. The letter don’t mean much to me, but the fact he tore it up. That and the weird symbol on the back.”
He shrugged.
“As I say I reckoned it was important. It mean anything to you?”