The Chocolatier's Wife

by Cindy Lynn Speer

  “Nothing is ever certain, is it, Herb Mistress Bey?” His eyes were cold. Was he being forced to keep Franny Harker in prison? Why?

  “Well. With such surety, you must still harbor some suspicion of my husband. What motive could he have for committing such a crime?”

  He gave her a triumphant smile and she realized that he had been waiting for this moment.

  He threw a folded parchment onto the table. She unfolded it. It was a letter to William from the Bishop, stating his intention to repossess the shop. Some of it wasn’t quite news, the accounting flaws that Andrew had found would have been a cause for some trouble if anyone had checked, but the letter said that William had defaulted completely, and that the Bishop was willing to discuss the matter for friendship’s sake, otherwise he would take back the store.

  She was surprised that it wasn’t from a lawyer, and wondered if, indeed, it was from the Bishop, or just something written to trick her.

  He continued. “Your husband was wise in his choice of place to set up shop. It is a well known and popular street for shopping, good frontage, even a nice set of rooms to live in.”

  “He can certainly prove that he paid honestly for it.”

  “Can he? I do hope so. He’s had so many difficulties already; I should hate to see him encounter even more.”

  Oh, I am certain you would. She said, though, “What is it you wish from me?”

  He walked around the desk. “None of this conversation has been for my benefit, Tasmin, but for yours and yours alone. The Mating Spell that determines our fates is a good thing, but one never quite knows what one is getting into, does one? I heard about what happened to your dress. A malicious act, and one that must have left you feeling quite afraid. Who would do such a thing? I would feel much more at ease if you were to come under my protection. I have rooms at the Admiralty that would suit you well.”

  She could hardly argue that she was safe at her husband’s family’s house, but even less could she accept such an invitation. “Sir,” she said, and meekly as she could, “you do me too great an honor. And if what you say is true ... ” As if I could believe such nonsense. “Then I am in grave danger. But this is the life the fates have given me, and I cannot jeopardize it. You are, doubtless, a handsome man. And spell or no spell, rumors can be the cruelest things, especially when one is already an outsider.”

  “Well put,” he said, sounding a bit surprised.

  What, am I a fool in your mind? Good. I hope you continue to underestimate me. She rose, and curtsied. “I must beg your forgiveness, but if that is all, I pray you allow me to leave?”

  He waved towards the door and she left, feeling as if she had been put through a gauntlet. The guard led her toward the front, but the hall was filled with men, in the uniform of officers as well as those of able sailors. “Blast. I forgot that a new lot of sailors would be coming in to get paid off from the voyage. I shan’t take a lady through that press. Men, fresh from the sea, they may not respect you as they should, if you’ll forgive me for saying so, Miss.” He started to lead her back the way they came, toward the office.

  She smiled up at the man; he looked like someone who had spent many years at sea, salt-cured and wind-dried to his very elements. Since she was busy looking at him, she did not notice that she was crossing into the path of another man, small and thin and dark, talking to a golden-haired lion of a man in the uniform of a Navy captain. “I am a scientist, sir. If the King of Berengaria is serious in his desire for further naturalistic studies ... young woman, will you look where you are going?”

  “Excuse us, sir.” The sailor gently pulled her out of the way.

  “Who is that?” she asked as he led her back through the hall. She was trying to place where she’d seen him before.

  “Oh, that’s one of the King’s naturalists. Dr. Harrington. A bit into his work, he is.”

  She was pondering this. Naturalists and Herb Mages were deadly enemies in some ways, for they tended to try to put the other out of business. Things like magic, unexplainable, did not exist to the naturalist’s mind; yet if it was explainable it could no longer be magic. Still, if he was the same man she’d seen in the apothecary, he could be of use. Her thoughts were interrupted by the slowing of her escort. The door to Lavoussier’s office was open, and a maid was taking in tea. Through the door, she saw Bonny relaxing in a chair, smiling sweetly at Lavoussier.

  The door shut before she could make out more. “I wonder; what is she doing here?”

  “Do you know her, Miss?”

  “Oh, nay,” she said, lying easily and for no reason she could think of except that it seemed wiser.

  “Then you don’t want to, Miss. A lady of your refinement don’t want to make acquaintance with a bit of fluff like her.” He opened a door to a covered courtyard. She could see that it was still raining quite hard.

  Tasmin was usually pretty quick to understand, but this stopped her. “Is she well known for her ... fluffiness?” He bit his lip and coughed, trying not to laugh. “Oh, go on, laugh, but just tell me what you meant.”

  He did laugh, then, and said, “Forgive me, Miss. Didn’t mean any disrespect, and to answer your question fair-like, I don’t rightly know. She has a reputation around here, for sure, but people try not to speak of it much. Ain’t rightly healthy. I just didn’t want you to get too interested, what with Himself asking after you.”

  She patted his arm. “Thank you. Your kindness is quite refreshing and most appreciated.”

  “I heard Himself say you were from the North. My own wife, bless her heart, was from there. ‘Tisn’t always easy, for the Northern Kind. But then it ain’t easy for the Southern Kind in the North, so I guess all is fair.” He pointed. "If you get to that overhang, it will take you to the main road without you even getting your feet wet, save for the first few steps. I gather you know your way from there."

  She curtsied low and thanked him before following his directions. Her head felt full to capacity, and she had no one with whom to speak.

  Chapter 19

  Ferou 28th, Sphr. Mn. Qtr. 1790

  Tasmin,

  It is with great relief that I am able to tell you that we have finally made our port, though the delivery of the goods, many yards of fine silk, did not go as well as hoped. A harsh storm wracked my poor vessel and some of the sea water, despite careful packing, had got in and ruined the fabric. I am well used to such losses, and always make allowances since some loss is expected, but an extra furious black mold had also set in, and it spread like a fire. I have never seen its like, and fear that it will take much work to assure myself that the hold itself is no longer contaminated.

  During the voyage here we came across the wreckage of a ship, another victim of the Pandora. We recovered a few able seamen and some passengers, one of which is the Bishop of the town from which I hail. He has begged me, reminding me of my family’s long connection to him, (including my own baptism) to take after the Pandora. He seems to feel that he knows me well enough that I can be trusted to pursue the Pandora and take what she holds. He will not tell me what it is, only that as long as the Pandora and her captain possess it, that the Pandora will continue to be the terror of the seas. Also, if her cargo falls into the wrong hands, our troubles will be doubled.

  So the chase begins. I have no choice.

  Yours,

  William

  That is an outrage,” William said, trying not to glare down at the woman in front of him. “You don’t think you can even save the original dress, and yet you charge double what it would take to make a new one.”

  “‘Tis the materials. If you want me to combine the old dress with a new one, and make it not look like jester’s motley, then you will have to pay more. Indeed, and you want it so swiftly. I cannot possibly face such a task for less. Besides, we need the pearls, where shall I get the pearls at this time of year?”

 
He smiled and took out a black velvet pouch, pouring a few out onto his palm and showing her. Let the negotiations begin.

  When he left he was not as upset as he might have been, but not as pleased as he would like to be. The dressmaker had been tenacious in the bargaining, using the lowest tricks, with questions such as, “Surely your future wife is worth... ” Quite frustrating, but in the end he had managed to get the price down to what he could humanly afford. He had no idea what he would do when his savings ran out, but he would deal with that then.

  The harbor clock chimed, and William winced. Tasmin would be at the shop by now, and he’d not yet bought the supplies that had been his excuse for going out. Fortunately it only took a few moments to order some sugar, flour, eggs, milk, cheese, and smoked ham, and request that they be delivered.

  The sprites greeted him as he stepped through the door, and he wondered if he would ever get used to being surrounded by a soft breeze every time he entered the shop. At least everything was in order. Ayers had always been fairly good at stowing and organizing things, it was one of the reasons why he’d been promoted to Master, and why he’d given into the man’s hints that William should hire him.

  When William got into the back of the shop, he found the cocoa supplies were all neatly lined up on the inner pantry shelves. His former mate had even logged them into a book. Now Ayers was staring at Tasmin with suspicion as she knelt in front of the pantry, marking the door sill with red chalk and black charcoal. She had a bowl next to her.

  “She says she wants some of me blood, sir,” Ayers said, trying not to look frightened.

  Since Tasmin had already described the spell to him, William knew why and thought it made sense. “Come now, man, you’ve given plenty of blood to the enemy, I’m sure you can produce what she requires,” he said jovially. Blood magic was something they were used to; he didn’t understand why Ayers was worried.

  Tasmin smiled at him, then went inside the pantry and shut the door behind her, opening it and coming back out a second later and shutting it again, staring at the sill. “You can’t see the markings when the door is shut, but you’ll have to get into the habit of not stepping on the floor just there, until the marks fade of their own accord. And, of course, you shall need to keep the door shut.” She picked up the bowl, the bottom of which was covered with a thick green yellow liquid. “It’s cool enough, now, I think.” She took up a copper-bladed knife with a creamy white handle. Aside from the slight twist to the handle, there were no marks whatsoever. The tang went through the handle, and formed a housing for a green, unfaceted crystal on the end. “My athame,” she said with pride to him.

  “So there’s where all my coat buttons went,” he said, smiling at her.

  She smiled back. “And they have served me well. Now, I need but a drop of your blood. The spell will then recognize you and allow you into the pantry.”

  The man, who was still a sailor at heart with all the attendant superstitions, looked uneasy still. Distrust of the North, William realized with a tinge of annoyance. He liked Ayers a great deal, but wished the man was a little less of a fool. Time must mend it, or I shall have to let him go. He will learn, as he gets to know her, not to believe in old resentments.

  “You can get out of it if you have other relatives.” Tasmin said. “While we trust you, we do not know your family, and therefore would not be able to risk allowing anyone of your blood access.”

  “I don’t,” he said, “just do it, if you don’t mind, Miss, and get it over.”

  She pricked his finger, and let a drop fall into the bowl. Cecelia, who seemed much more used to the concept of blood binding, was next. Again, blood was dripped, the blade wiped, and she took William’s hand in hers.

  It was the first time she had had reason to look closely at it.

  “Are you looking at my future?” he teased.

  “I am looking at your past. So many scars and calluses.” She ran her thumb over them. “You have not been kind to your hands.”

  “Occupational hazards, I suppose,” he said, trying not to think too much on how well he liked the feel of her hands cradling his.

  She took his blood quickly, and then her own, but before she could stir the contents he found himself taking her hand and pressing their forefingers together.

  It was a possessive and rather rash move on his part, causing Cecelia to arch her eyebrows.

  Tasmin blushed and looked a little bewildered.

  “Congratulations,” Ayers said, breaking the oddness of the moment.

  “We’re married,” William said softly. “Well, at least according to the traditions of the Wendou Islands.”

  “Oh.” She took her hand back and used the knife to stir the mixture, turning away as if wholly occupied by the spell. He was starting to feel damned foolish. When had she taken his self-confidence away? Or was it merely recent events that had taken it? But she turned and smiled at him over her shoulder, and it felt like a kiss.

  “Always charging in,” Cecelia muttered. “I shall be sweeping the floors at the shop front. Come along, Mister Ayers.”

  “Roderick, milady.”

  “I remember. Come along anyway, and we can rearrange the tables and chairs in a more pleasing fashion.”

  “Don’t forget the table cloths,” Tasmin said absently as she used the knife to push the mix into the wood. The grain seemed to part for the blade, then come back together, for she left not a mark on the door, but he could see the blade go deep.

  “Now. Only our blood can open the door. Which does mean that your parents and brother can open it, but I could hardly exclude you from your own pantry, could I? If anyone else tries it, the door will not open for them. The wood will bind itself to the wood of the frame and wall. If they get too close to it they will feel loathing and fear so deep it would be impossible for them to get close enough to, say, try and break it down or set fire to it.”

  “Clever,” he said, taking the bowl from her and setting it aside.

  “Thorough,” she corrected, but he ignored it, tipping her chin up. He kissed her, his hands on her waist. After a second she returned it, the hand holding the athame seeking the counter. He took her wrist, careful not to touch her knife, and led it to the table. She let the blade go, and slipped her arms around his shoulders. He had to lift her a little to make the kiss comfortable, but it was quite worth it.

  Cecelia punched his shoulder. “Exactly what is this?”

  “But we’re married,” Tasmin said, a little breathless.

  “This is not Wendou. And you do not want it to be Wendou.”

  “I was merely thanking her for her kind efforts on my behalf,” William said innocently, unwilling to let her go.

  “Buy her chocolates,” Cecelia said sweetly, and took Tasmin’s arm. “I think we are expected back. Come now, dear.” Tasmin slipped away from him and he placed his hands behind his back so he would not reach for her again.

  “Was she this overbearing with you?” she asked over her shoulder.

  “Worse! The men used to call her Captain!”

  “I only act this way so that you will be used to being bullied when you are wed,” Cecelia said.

  “I would never bully a sensible and lovely lady such as Tasmin,” he protested.

  “No, you save it for people who treat everything lightly. What exactly does that mean?”

  William didn’t understand what she was asking and was about to say as much when Tasmin sighed loudly, and said, “I thought you wanted to leave?” She took Cecelia’s arm. “I do want to comment, though, that perhaps the tables should be placed more in an arc, do you see? To take full advantage of the light from the windows.”

  “I still want to know what the rest of that letter says,” Cecelia muttered. Tasmin’s reply could not be heard, for she had gone outside. Cecelia followed, and the door shut quietly.

  “We need a co
w bell for the door,” Ayers said, “like on the apothecary, sir.”

  William wondered how much fun the sprites would have with that. Ah, well. The door was too silent; they could use something to help the matter. “That is a capital idea. But see if you can find something that’s not a cow bell.”

  “I might have just the thing in mind, sir.”

  Chapter 20

  Anitil thirteenth, Pale Moon Quarter, 1790

  Dear William,

  The first thing I do every morning is go to the courier’s office and see what news they bring from the sea. I hear rumors and rumors of rumors, the Tregaurde is sunk, the Tregaurde has defeated the Pandora, the Tregaurde has made port but many hands were lost. In all your years at sea, I knew you were in danger. I accepted that if I did not get a letter from you around the normal time it could mean that I would never see another. Never before now have I ever, truly, feared for you. It is odd; it is uncomfortable, and quite unjust that you should be so far away that even the wind will not tell me how you fare.

  I am feeling quite out of sorts this morning. My mood is not quite the best, I fear. I shall take it out on my students. I feel a trick examination coming on.

  Yours, eventually,

  Tasmin

  A few steps from the shop, Tasmin paused. “I think this is a good time to go visiting.” She reached into her pocket, below a carefully wrapped bundle of chocolate that no one would ever dare eat, to pull a slip of paper from it. “Are you certain this is his direction?”

  “Nay, but I didn’t have a lot to work with. I had to inquire at five apothecaries before anyone knew whom I meant. Really, ‘small, dark, and studies nature’ is not that much to go on.”

  Tasmin winced. “Good point.” She looked at the paper again, and nodded. “Well, we can only try.”