FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Thanx to Dizzydame for this edit as Mystery was away...

Chapter 15.

Malaprop cleared the study of the breakfast dishes after Lance and Elizabeth had finished eating. "Is there anything else you require help with this morning sir?" he asked, facing the brooding red dragon.

"No, just write those invites for me, then bring them here for me to sign. Tell Heather and Owen to prepare the lodge for a guest. I will call you if you are needed," Lance replied and turned to the stacks of files and folders that lined the rooms walls. Malaprop nodded, winking in Beth's direction as he left.

"Do you need me Lance?" Beth asked.

Lance paused for a second, thinking, "Yes, I could do with your input on what my interfering siblings will consider important. Can't have them finding out everything."

"Then I would guess that they will only want the last five or six years worth, since the investments melted away. They will also want all the legal documentation as well I would imagine."

"That's none of their business Elizabeth..."

"It is Lance. They won't help you - or should I say us - unless you are completely transparent this time. I would hazard a guess that they will be seriously upset when the loss of the family properties is confirmed outside of the rumour mill."

"They can go fuck themselves over that...It is hardly my fault that I ended up bankrupt, and had to sell in order to stop the name being sullied."

"It was your fault that you had no back up, and you know it. The minute the opposition gained control all those years ago, you should have realised they would just line their own pockets at the expense of the decent working people, and switched some of the money into finance and public services."

"The Giles family has never had anything to do with the working classes outside of employing them. I sure as hell was not going to fund their bloody pension schemes!"

"Why not? Your siblings did. Now who is going to be funding your 'pension scheme?' Mine is safe at it is tied to the public sector, but you lost yours along with everything else. The working classes need to work...They always have, they always will. They fight tooth and talon to keep their employers in business. When the industries that you tied yours to went bust, the managers in charge didn't lose a penny. It was the poor bastards whose worked for them who found themselves homeless."

"And their investors..."

"Yes, and their investors like you. However, how many of those other investors have you heard about losing their properties?"

"Well the Francine's had some trouble a while back..."

"That was because their son was arrested and jailed for fraud. They had to pay back millions."

Lance paused for a minute, then sighed. "I was an idiot wasn't I?"

"No, you were a stubborn idiot. That doesn't mean that your siblings would have said no, if you had asked then honestly for help earlier. Now the situation is such that you have no choices left, and they will force their charity upon you to stop the Giles reputation and name from being sullied further." Elizabeth continued.

"But I don't want their fucking charity!"

"What do you want then? To be remembered for the destruction of the family's name in London?"

"Of course I fucking don't Elizabeth!" Lance snapped.

"Then capitulate. Give them all the files, including the legal ones. There may be other ways to make the creditors stop their relentless pursuit of you. Arnold is a trader isn't he? He may know some of the agencies that are on our tails and get some fees and interest waved."

"Most of them have been paid off already..."

"How much is left to pay Lance...and how much have you already paid out? I never pushed you on it before, as you have never included me in your dealings."

"I lost fifteen million in positive liquid assets and ended up twenty seven million in debt..."

"Fucking hell! That's worse than I imagined..." Elizabeth started.

"You want to know? Then stop interrupting me!" Lance barked, "So yes, you could say I lost forty two million in three years. With what I have sold so far, I have recouped twenty four million, and Garda is on the market for another four. With the accumulated interest on the original debt, even if Garda sells, I will still owe around 1.6 million. That is why the manor is up for rent as well. It should fetch seventy thousand a month. I was going to call Sotherby's in next, to see about shifting some of the paintings and antiques."

Beth scratched her head in thought for a few minutes, "So you need two million at least just to keep us living in the remaining properties, and that is only just enough to allow us to retain Malaprop, Heather and Owen while feeding us. At least the castle and the chateaux support themselves and their staff. You need six million if you are to pull Garda off the market...Is that right?"

"Yes," Lance replied miserably.

You have how many siblings? It has been a long time since I met them you know. Most of them haven't visited since you expelled Jessica..."

"We expelled Jessica," Lance interrupted.

"You expelled Jessica...I was too frightened of you to stop you then. Losing her that day hurt me more than you could ever imagine. Had I thought I could, I would have left you that night," Beth said tearing up.

"Then why didn't you?"

"Because you would have likely hunted me down and killed me! Don't think I don't know what you have used Malaprop for in the past. I am guilty by association, so I couldn't go to the police for protection!" She shouted back at him.

"I wouldn't have..."

"Yes you bloody well would have ten years ago Lance. I would never have married a ruthless, cold-hearted, bigoted, evil, violent, stubborn arsehole like you if I had had a choice. I had no interest in children or marriage when I turned eighteen. You know as well as I do I was swept from my birthday bed in Germany, and into yours without any choice. You raped me of my innocence on our wedding night, and every night afterwards until your seed took, and I hated you for it."

"Then why are we having this conversation now? Why do you care what happens to me and the Giles name? Fuck off! Leave! Go running back to Germany or France. I will even leave your dowry chateaux for you live your remaining life in if you want. I can't divorce you, but you can take a gardener to bed for all I care if that is what you think of me. I am to old to give a stuff anymore." Lance shouted turning his back on her in rage.

"Because despite everything, despite your complete disregard for the female sex... I have learned to love you. I love Jessica, I love James...and I love you. I never thought I would make a mother...but I did. After Jessica was hatched, you never had to force me into sex again, I allowed you to seek me willingly. You were too bloody blind to realise that I was returning your attentions while you still offered me them. I would have had ten children with you if it had been possible," Beth broke down sobbing in her chair.

Lance turned to face her, "I...I never realised..."

"Yes you did...You knew exactly what you were doing at the time. You treated me as your chattel, and nothing more!"

Lance paused taking a hesitant step towards her, "Including Jools I have six siblings. Being part of a large family circle has never interested me as I was never close to any of them, but I would have liked more children. As the eldest, I knew I was to inherit, so I threw myself into my studies, but obviously failed. Time ticked by and I didn't realise how old I was until my siblings had mated with the other suitable families scions, with the exception of course of Jools. I never suspected his sexuality; I just thought he had left it too late like I almost did. I took my pleasures here and there amongst the staff, and those places in the city that provided them.

"When I hit thirty-five I suddenly realised I had nothing to show for my life, and no heir, so I started looking around. You were the only dragoness close to my age, so my father approached yours for your hand. He, as you now know agreed, but only after you turned eighteen. I will admit I never thought of you at the time as a future love, you were just a way for me to produce a legitimate heir..." He paused for a few minutes stepping closer to her. "Did you mean what you just said?"

"That I learned to love you?" Elizabeth said looking up at his looming presence.

"Yes."

"I did Lance...though I never told you. You would have thought it a weakness that you could exploit."

"Beth...I...I do love you, you know," Lance said quietly.

"Do you Lance?"

"I didn't, but I do now. We are in a mess, aren't we? Over thirty years mated, virtually bankrupt, one of our children estranged, and this is the first time we have admitted that we actually feel for each other... I...I'm sorry," Lance forced out. He would not submit to the indignity of tears himself, but he knelt next to Beth's chair and held out his arms to her.

She considered for a few seconds, then lent forward into his offered embrace. "Do you forgive me Elizabeth?" he asked quietly.

"That could take time Lance, and will depend on what happens next. I can't forgive you entirely until we are a family again. Don't ask me for the impossible at the moment." Beth replied, leaning on his shoulder.

"Would Jessica even want to come back though?" Lance asked, leaning back to look into his mates eyes.

"That I don't know Lance. Would you in her situation? If your father had treated you in the way you have treated her, would you come back to a bankrupt household? I know she won't unless she brings her mate along with her," Beth replied looking into the now old face that stared back at her.

"I have my principles, they are the only thing left to me. I just can't have my heir mated to a commoner. I may as well drink a bottle of whisky and burn the place down around us now."

"Then you will never have my forgiveness Lance. Without Jessica's acceptance of the situation, I will never be happy. She will never accept her position as heir apparent again, unless the mate she presented us with all those years ago is part of the deal. She inherited your stubbornness, and you know it."

"I know she is stubborn, she proved that by insisting on a full education. We don't even know where she is at the moment. For all we know Jools is on a wild goose chase and Jess isn't even mated to the confounded white dragon that appeared in London yesterday. He may be unique, but their mate-hood may have foundered years ago. He could be mated to an entirely different dragoness now. We will know tomorrow though. If she did see the mistake she made, and dumped him it makes things easier. He may still have her contact details and then we can confront her with my proposal."

"And if she is still mated to him?"

"Then I will push for a dissolution one way or another. Don't ask me for something I can never give Beth...not after this morning. My pride may be broken, but my family beliefs will not be." Lance replied seriously.

"Then we will just have to see what comes of it," Beth said, pulling herself out of his arms. "Come on, let's at least prepare our case for the family's help. That way she might have something to come home to."

Lance snorted, and stood stiffly again to approach the file boxes.

****

Malaprop carefully backed away from the study door where he had been eavesdropping on the argument within. He smiled to himself that he hadn't had to intervene should it have become violent, but then crossed his talons that his search would be fruitful later.

****

Ruth stretched his shoulders as Mr Jupiter closed the meeting for lunch and then left with the other department heads for the buildings canteen on the first floor. A lot of progress had been made in the foreshortened morning session, and it was only going to be a matter of getting the details finalised in the afternoon. He turned to Felix who was yawning in his chair. "You tired Felix?" he asked grinning.

"I am too old for things like last night Ruth...I need my beauty sleep," he replied grinning up at his colleague, standing up to follow the others.

"Regretting it?" Ruth asked, standing stiffly from his chair.

"No, never...It was a unique an interesting situation that I am truly glad I was part of. I am not sure if I would survive another go though."

"Nonsense. Mr. Jupiter there has many years on you, and yet he still plays with the girls whenever he wants from what we saw last night. You have a few years of play left in you yet." Ruth stated, holding the door open for the cat.

"Maybe. But Jessica is a little too much for an old tom like me."

"So you won't be joining us again tonight?"

"To what purpose? I doubt I can do anything, and I sure as hell know Charity will be out of action for a week or two at least," Felix replied as they waited for the lift.

"You don't have to have intercourse to enjoy yourselves you know. Hell you can even just lie in Charity's embrace and watch if you want. You already know that Jess and I are more than happy enough to practice oral only if you wish as well." The lift door screeched open and they stepped in together, flicking the button for the first floor.

"I will have to ask her then. I depends on if she manages to get a rest today." Felix stated as the lift started to drop.

"I somehow doubt she will get much rest today- We left her in Jessica's company. They are also pampering themselves. She may get some when Jess leaves to visit Jools I suppose. I am still worried about that."

"Why worry? Surely she can take care of herself."

The lift opened onto a beige carpeted hallway, connected to an open plan office full of assorted species tapping away on up-to-date computers, and chatting on the phones, whilst leaning on battered and cobbled together office furniture. Ruth saw Lionel's tail feather disappearing into a side-room, and headed in that direction. "She can against a single dragon like Jools, but if there is a trap waiting, he will not be alone."

"Trap? Why would she be trapped somewhere?" Felix said, jumping on Ruth's slip.

Ruth shook his head at his own carelessness, "I can't say Felix, but it has to do with her father. He could very well want to kidnap her away from me. There is always a danger that he would think of the possibility about setting up an ambush at Jools, the blue dragon's, house, or that Jools was under duress before meeting up this morning with us."

"Then why is she risking it?"

"Because she has to know if Jools is trustable. Now could we leave it please? If we are overheard, questions could be asked that I can't answer," Ruth said as they entered the canteen area.

"Very well, but remember I am now more than just your boss, I consider you to be my friend as well. If you need anything, support, help, or even money, just ask."

"Thank you Felix. It is appreciated." The room they entered was reasonable empty. A few melamine tables and benches crowded against a wall which had dirty windows overlooking the turning area out front. A single stainless steel server that contained a few condiments and the knives and forks stood to one side of a hatch, at which the members of the board had formed a queue. From the look of the stodge that was on the used plates that were scattered around the tables, Ruth thought he would be suffering from indigestion all afternoon!

He chose the pasta bake when he came to the hatch, while Felix risked the fish. Both were just slapped onto their plates by a bored looking mongrel bitch, using the same serving spoon, so the fish was contaminated with the pasta's sauce. Felix sighed, but accepted his plate, carrying it over to a free space on the table Ruth and Jane were sat at. Glancing around he spotted a battered drinks vending machine in the corner. "Tea or coffee Ruth, Jane?"

"Coffee for me please Felix," Ruth replied.

"Nothing for me thanks Felix. I will just have my mineral water," Jane answered, pulling a bottle out of her handbag. "I don't trust anything that has been heated in here including the drinks, so they just do me a wilted salad. I have a delicate stomach for some reason."

Ruth and Felix laughed, the cat heading over to the machine. "Now Mr Ruatha, about that Chinese contract. You were hiding something at the table. Care to tell me exactly how it came to be presented to you...?" The doe started.

Malaprop went to his desk in his study and sat down. The room was a little stuffy, having been converted from one of the old servants bedrooms. Lance had been insistent that he have his own room, rather than use the master study area, despite the fact that he handled most of the day to day transactions and correspondence. He flicked the buttons on the five year old computer, waiting for it to wake up as he began mentally drafting the letter he had been ordered to come up with. Drumming his talons rhythmically on the desk he cursed as the machine bleeped and buzzed in annoyance at being forced to come alive again, long past when it should have been scrapped.

It still connected to the Internet, and due to the mansions central London location, it was connected to a fibre-optic broadband system. The old operating system though, could barely handle the HSS modem's input. A new machine would definitely be on the wish list should Lance's fortunes change. To buy one himself would be self defeating as he never used the machine unless it was on business for his employer.

He opened the drawer in the seventeenth century desk that had been given to him as his work station, smiling to himself as usual, wondering privately if the cabinet makers who had slaved for weeks to create it had imagined it would one day be used as a computer's workstation. ¡He pulled the neatly bound notebook of watermarked foolscap from its home, and moving the keyboard to one side, placed it on the burled walnut surface in front of him, before fetching his fountain pen out lying it down next to it.

When he had first arrived in the UK with Lance, he had been educated privately in the art of speaking and writing English. He had a rudimentary knowledge before, as it had been part of his officers training, due to likely interaction with Americans, but nowhere near enough to get by as a butler/bodyguard to an English lord. Scratching at a loose scale he mused as he picked up the pen at how he had turned out to be a natural calligrapher...

Dear Howard,

I am writing to inform you that I have decided to call a family meeting over the condition of the Giles family's name and fortune. I have been informed recently by our mutual sibling Jools, that you may be aware that I have suffered some financial difficulties as a result of the recent downturn in the British manufacturing industries. I am also led to believe that you may not have suffered in the same way as myself. I regret to inform you that as rumoured, some of the family properties have had to be sold in lieu of debt repayment, and that only the family seats remain in my possession at present.

I know that in the past my personal decisions have caused some difficulties in our relationship as siblings, some of which I now regret, some of which I don't. The question of how and if the family name continues with my passing is now of some urgency. I therefore request your presence, alongside our other siblings at ten A.M on Friday of this week, here at Regents Manor. Please do not try and contact me before then, as I will be preparing for your arrival, and will not reveal more until you are all present.

Yours, Lancelot Giles. (Notated by Malaprop)

He tore the drafted letter off the pad neatly and stood, taking it to Lance for approval before copying it a further five times, substituting the other siblings names in place of Howard's, then returning them to Lance in the study for his signature

Efficiently he neatly folded the six identical letters and sealed them in velum envelopes, before addressing them to their intended recipients. Picking up the phone, he dialled the long familiar number of Overland's offices in the city district, and requested the five same-day dispatches, and a twenty-four hour to France. Neatly making a pile of them next to him, he pulled the keyboard back into place after replacing the pad and pen in their draw, before starting his and Elizabeth's more personal search for Ruth Ruatha's history.

****

Jessica and Charity stepped out of their respective shower cubicles in the spa at the hotel. They had decided not to share, as they had obviously been designed for only one occupant at a time, which amused Jessica considering the activities that went on in the adjoining areas on a daily basis. Charity had slipped back into her costume while in the privacy of the cubicle, but Jessica was still naked in the communal changing area. A large, matronly mare dressed in a full body swimming costume similar to Charity's, strolled in through the entrance door and did a double take at the unabashed display the dragoness was putting on as she towelled herself dry. She tutted to herself, before approaching the lockers and removing a few toiletries and a towel herself, then locking herself in a shower cubicle with a definitive clicking of the lock.

Jessica giggled to herself, while Charity shook her head. "What if that had been a stallion and not a mare?" the Persian asked as Jessica slipped back into her scale coloured bikini.

"Then he would have had a story to tell his friends at the pub for a few nights...nothing more and nothing less. I do not consider showing my body off to an admiring male or female to be adultery...What we did with our masseurs however would be viewed as such. We are lucky to have understanding mates." Jessica replied nonchalantly, walking towards the door to the sauna area.

"But I had no intention of what happened, happening. Felix won't find out will he? Until last night our relationship was completely between us alone," Charity said worried that she had broken her vows.

"He need never find out if you don't wish, though do you think he would really mind if he knew after your eyes were opened by us. I would say that he would be more surprised if after you had been left in my company for a day, that nothing more had happened. After all, you said earlier that you were going to take him to a parlour at some point in the future yourself." Jessica held the door open for her and they approached the plunge pool area.

"I will probably tell him then when we are alone, he is bound to notice something later when we join you and Ruth again."

"So you will be joining us tonight again?"

"Yes, but as observers only if you don't mind. I know we will not get chance again in the foreseeable future, so I will make the most of it. I would like watch some of the antics you perform together, so I can understand how you have trained him so well!" Charity said laughing, as they paused by the various sauna's doors.

There were five of them, varying in temperature depending on species tolerances The coolest was set a forty degrees centigrade, and was at eighty percent humidity. The hottest, at one-hundred and thirty degrees, and five percent humidity. There was also a glass doored steam room. "Which one are you going to start with Charity. I can stand the hot one, but you would be burnt to a crisp in there. If you haven't been for a while, I suggest you spend two cycles of ten minutes in the cool one first before moving up to the one at fifty five degrees for a final ten minutes. That should sweat you of your impurities." Jessica suggested.

"I will take your advice, will you not join me?"

"No. The cool ones will do nothing for my system. I will do the same cycles in the eighty degree, and then the hot one while you sit yours out. If you feel faint at any point, come out and just regain your composure. Use the chilled water from the fountains there," Jessica pointed at the stainless steel taps that were beaded with condensation, mounted on the wall over basins.

"I have been to a sauna before you know Jessica...but it was when I was much younger. I can take care of myself thank-you,"

"Yes grandma!" Jessica sassed, then squealed as Charity caught her off balance, tripping her into the chilled plunge pool with a huge splash, before she darted into her first sauna before she could be pulled in herself.

A disgruntled hedgehog shook his head as his spine crest was submerged in the resulting tidal wave. "Watch it will you...you are not children you know," he groused, as Jessica breached with a splutter. The cold water had had an admirable effect on her flimsy garments and what they barely covered. Her now bullet-hard nipples strained to break through the shrunken Lycra, and a perfect camel-toe presented itself to his vision as she hauled herself out with the pool ladder opposite. She deliberately lifted her tail, shaking it while grinning at him over her shoulder to give him the best of views, before she sauntered sexily into her first sauna. The hedgehog grunted, glad that the water was so cold or he would be in a highly embarrassing predicament himself. "No you are definitely not children," he muttered, climbing out himself and waddling towards the toilet area before his ardour rose with the temperature.

The sauna room was empty as Jessica slipped her tail between the cedar slat benches that surrounded the outside of the ceramic coal pit in the centre. She grabbed a ladle of water, and threw it on creating a hiss of superheated steam. Relaxing, she closed her eyes and lent back against the scorching walls with a deep sigh, and her bikini dried quickly as the heat began to penetrate her scales.

Charity was not so lucky, and her cooler sauna was already occupied by two male Labrador's in swim trunks who were reading copies of the Financial Times in the subdued light, a young female Siamese in a more modest bikini than Jessica's, was seemingly dozing in the heat with a towel on her lap, and an ungarmented, matronly hen Song Thrush was perched with her feathers fluffed up on one of the benches at the rear. She selected the bench that the Siamese was perched on opposite the two labs. One of them reached for the ladle and dumped another splash of water in the coals. She breathed the fresh steam in as it overpowered the stale scents of mammalian sweat that pervaded within the hot atmosphere. The thrushes' sweat was completely different, and she almost embarrassed herself by dribbling as she felt her saliva ducts begin to flow in a primal response to the 'prey' bird's odour.

She felt someone touch her hand, and she opened her eyes to see the Siamese pull what appeared to be a half melted mint ball from under her towel and pass it to her with a smile, winking, "I come prepared in case our feathered friends are here as well. Our responses will never be evolved from our systems," she whispered.

"Thank you...I had forgotten that it could be a problem," she answered quietly, slipping the sweet into her mouth, the mint hitting her synapses immediately and blocking the alluring smell. She suddenly started purring uncontrollably, and looked at the smirking feline as the two dogs laid their papers on the bench and left to take a plunge.

"Yes, they have a little nip in them to spice up the experience. Raises the heart-rate and helps in the purification while giving a buzz."

"But I have never done drugs..."

"Pffft," the Siamese huffed, "Catnip is not a drug grandma...When you live in the city, it barely classes the same as alcohol. No side affects either."

Charity tried to regain her composure as the sweet dissolved in her mouth. The drug was working its way into her brains receptors, and she gave herself over to the pleasurable experience with nod. "Warn people though before you give out your gifts...I could have had a weak heart." The song thrush stretched, then folded her wings, before fluttering to the exit door without acknowledging the felines conversation.

"Never heard of any problems with a little nip...I have something stronger if you wish to heighten your experience," the Siamese waved a different coloured sticky sweet at her.

"No absolutely not!" Charity stated, staring at her.

"Suit yourself...I find a bit of imagination stimulation gets me through my daily sessions. I can't read in this light," she said slipping the sweet into her own mouth, her purr box engaging as whatever images started to play over the interior surfaces of her eyelids. Musk became evident in the room, and Charity hastily reached to throw some more water on the coals. The two labs returned to the room dripping, and one glanced in their direction sniffing at the air. Charity pretended to ignore him, and shuffled slightly in her seat, closing her eyes again.

She sat in silence for a further few minutes, then as the thrush returned to her perch, the Siamese stretched and placing her towel on the bench she exited, flicking her tail suggestively at the two dogs. Charity sighed as they both followed her ass with their eyes, wondering at just how innocent her life had left her. The combination of the mild buzz, and the heat had already started Charity's perspiration, and she knew that as soon as the Siamese returned she would have to take her first plunge, to stop her system from overheating.

Her breathing was just starting to become shallow as the door opened again and the wet Siamese re-entered. Standing quickly, she walked out the door as it swung shut and steeled herself for the shock. Holding her breath, she pinched her nose and jumped feet first in to the water that was kept at a steady seven degrees. Submerging, she nearly cursed as the water penetrated her fur through to her skin. Her abused private parts, ached in protest at their inclusion in the dowsing.

Surfacing again, she took a deep breath, and stroked efficiently to the ladder, hauling herself out. The shock was making her shiver, while the nip in her bloodstream was causing her head to pound as her heart tried to compensate for the sudden temperature drop. She trailed a stream of water from her fur as she went to the water fountain and lapped up a long drink, before she re-entered the sauna again to take her place next to her drug-horny new acquaintance. The Siamese winked at her and slipped another laced sweet through her lips, then rolled it suggestively around her cheeks while staring at the two Labrador's opposite. They were trying not to look, as her musk was suffusing the steamy room more thickly, and they had to lower their papers to conceal their embarrassment.

Charity sighed to herself, 'What has happened to the younger generation these days?' she asked herself as she closed her eyes. There was a flutter of feathers accompanied with a chirruped warble as the Thrush gave up. She hopped down from her perch and walked towards the door, shaking her head at the Siamese's antics. "Grow up child, or one day you will get caught out," she muttered as she left the stuffy atmosphere.

"And what if I want to get caught out?" The Siamese retorted as the door swung shut, receiving no answer from the matronly Thrush. The two dogs shuffled uncomfortably in their positions, glancing at each other. Charity ignored the exchange, though she was watching the resulting reactions through slitted eyes.

The two businessman's tongues were now lolling again, and they stood as one and left for a plunge again. No doubt it would solve their instinctive problems at the same time. They re-entered again a few minutes later, soaked and looking more relaxed. Charity would have loved to have heard their discussion in the plunge pool outside. The Siamese sighed noisily to herself, and stood to perform the same service again to herself, this time strolling around the coal pit to the dogs side of the sauna, and running her tail suggestively under each of the canines raised papers, not saying a word as she coquettishly leered over her shoulder at them as the door swung shut behind her. The Labrador's were panting again by the time she left, far to soon for the heat to have raised their body temperatures again.

The soaking cat re-appeared, but this time took a seat on the bench the Thrush had vacated, closer to the dogs. Charity stood again, and went for her second plunge session. From the scent, the plunge had done nothing this time to cool the Siamese's heat. This time Charity lowered herself into the plunge pool, and remained in it for a good few minutes to ensure her core temperature had resumed more normal levels. She took another draft at the fountain, and decided that a third session in the cooler sauna was required before she went for the hotter one. She swung the door open and reentered, then froze at the tableau that presented itself.

The Siamese had got what she had been hinting at. The slightly older Labrador was standing on the floor at one end of the rear bench, trunks around his ankles. The other was knelt at the other end of the bench, his trunks placed on the two forgotten papers. The Siamese was giving head to the standing lab, while being knotted deeply by the second in a spit-roast. The cat paused, spitting the standing dogs cock out of her mouth for a second. "Join, watch or leave grandma. Don't criticise," she said, swallowing eight inches of throbbing sausage again without waiting for a decision.

Charity felt herself to heat up again with a combination of the show and the catnip still in her system. She shook her head, but did not cast her judgement vocally. She just left the increasingly vocal trio to their excursions as the kneeling dogs knot slipped though the felines pussy lips, tying him into place. As the door swung shut behind her, the Siamese mewled loudly around her oesophageal obstruction, the two labs joining her in a mutual orgasm.

Charity stood for a few seconds outside the purloined sauna, trying to get her mind back into focus. She took a deep breath and decided that the only course would be to take another plunge. She re-entered the water with an undignified splash, the cold water purging her body of its natural secretions. The second hottest sauna's door opened, and Jessica emerged, a positive heat haze distorting the air above her body. As Charity's nose cleared from the submerging, a most unusual smell permeated her sensitive membranes. Sort of metallic in nature, like hot blood spilled in anger. She realised that every joint in the dragoness' scales was beaded with a pinkish moisture. "You alright Jessica?" she asked concerned as she stroked towards her.

"What? Yes I am fine. Don't come close to me until I have cooled though. I will burn you if you touch me," she grabbed the ladder rail, it hissing as her hands contacted the stainless steel, then slipped into the water seamlessly, puffs of evaporating water escaping into the air as she did. A cloud of pinkish staining suffusing the water as she submerged.

"What is that smell and liquid?" Charity asked, hauling herself out onto the side before she chilled too badly.

"Oh...You have never seen a dragon sweat before?" Jessica asked stroking gently across the pool to rest her head by the Persian's swinging feet.

"No..."

"We don't sweat unless the external temperature is over sixty degrees Celsius, nor do we sweat to expel excess body heat like conventional mammals. We diffuse any of our body's toxins and excesses through special pores under our scale edges. They inevitably expel some blood at the same time. The smell is my contaminated blood plasma. Don't worry about the water. Professional establishments like here have filters and systems to deal with it. As soon as it cycles through, the water will be clean and clear again," Jessica said looking up at Charity, she sniffed the air slightly. "What has got you excited again?" she nudged her nose between the Persians swinging legs.

"Ah...My sauna was already in use...A Siamese girl slipped me a catnip laced mint as there was a Thrush sweating in there alongside us and two dogs. The girl slipped herself something harder, deliberately, in order to artificially stimulate her own musk and arouse the dogs. They are currently...currently performing a threesome amongst each other as the Thrush left in disgust."

"And after the last twenty-four hours that still disturbs you?" Jessica asked, "You don't smell disturbed," she continued grinning.

"That is the bloody catnip taking over my body...The cock-tease invited me to join in or leave!" Charity said flushing.

"So you left and took a prolonged dip. You're shivering you know." Jessica said, pulling herself up onto the pool edge and pulling her into a warming hug. "Come on, let's get you into the warm again." She picked Charity up and carried her into the second, slightly warmer sauna. It was thankfully unoccupied. Setting her on a bench, she sat supporting Charity until her shakes had stopped. "I suggest that you stay in here for more than the usual ten minutes until your core is warmed through again. It is too hot in here for any funny business, so you should be undisturbed. I am going to resume my purification in the hottest room. I will meet you in the plunge pool in fifteen minutes, then we can shower again in preparation for our beauty sessions later." Jessica stood heading for the door.

"Thank you Jessica. Please don't tell Felix that I got spiked," Charity said quietly, leaning back against the wooden slats.

"I won't. Drugs are evil and insidious in their nature, never to be treated as something casual. I tried a few at Oxford, but they never agreed with my system. For someone to use them for the purposes of sex, means they must have either no self esteem or bodily pride," she paused for a few seconds grinning as she took hold of the doors handle, "I wouldn't have needed so crude a ploy to have a couple of dogs slaving over my body!"

Charity laughed at that, chuckling to herself as her irrepressible new friend allowed the door to close behind her. Jessica's total disregard for her perceived, age driven prudery, was a breath of fresh air in her life. She knew the wine had spoken the night before for her, but Jessica had never taken advantage of it at any point. She had just educated her like she was taking on a new student, no criticism, no surprise, no put-downs, just acceptance of her limits. Ruth's inclusion was a bonus, and so was Felix's, but she had a feeling that maybe; just maybe, Jessica may have sought her company without the males knowledge. Throwing a ladle of water on the glowing coals, she breathed the fresh steam into her lungs, luxuriating as the heat restored her vitality.

Jessica turned towards the hottest sauna for her final session, but paused for a second considering the cooler rooms door. 'Nah, I will leave them to it,' she thought to herself shaking her head. 'Besides, Ruth is not here...'

****

Malaprop Droogled Burke's peerage. The site appeared straight away on his monitor, and asked him to log in. He cursed, clicking the link in order to create an account. He never understood the reason for websites needing accounts. After all, most people only used them once. The minute you created an account, you got emails every week updating you on things you had no interest in whatsoever.

He clicked complete after filling the form in, in Elizabeth's name. It diverted him to a page asking for credit card or bank details, as the service was not free. Fishing around in one of the desk draws he found an old bank statement that he had acquired for just such purposes, and set up a direct payment authorisation. He hoped that Lance didn't check the dual account statements over carefully, as there would now be a paper trail if he was not successful.

The front page reloaded itself with a standard welcome message, asking him what he would like to search. He typed Ruatha in the box and sat back as an hourglass appeared on the screen. A minute later, the screen flickered and twelve family options appeared. Malaprop scratched his head for a few seconds, then asked the site to eliminate those that were not British or Irish in origin. The screen flickered again, and only two options appeared. He smiled, clicking on the first one. A family tree appeared dating back to the fifteenth century. Scrolling down the tree, it suddenly ended in 1954. Clicking on a few of the deceased members, he quickly realised that the last surviving sons and daughters were all killed in the corps in WW2 and when the father passed away of natural causes in 54, the family name had died out, the remaining estate passing to minor relatives of other surnames. That one was a dead end then.

He back clicked the site until the other option appeared. This family was much bigger. The first recorded name was tracked to the doomsday book. There were a huge amount of question marks on the tree, awaiting more research to fill in until he came to the latest branches. It seemed a lot of the family had also been killed in the war, but three name trees continued after the fifties. Harold Ruatha, Geraldine Ruatha, and Maurice Ruatha. Three surviving children of James and Henrietta Ruatha deceased 1967 and 69 respectively.

Geraldine Ruatha's branch ended when she mated with a Paul Troutham, and adopted his surname, though there was a link to the Troutham tree. Harold Ruatha was listed as deceased in 1965. He had a mate listed, but no descendants. Malaprop clicked on Maurice, and a great deal of detail suddenly appeared. Born 1954, the youngest of the three siblings, he had mated with an Aisling Ruatha nee Caradine in 1974 in Ireland. A daughter named Brianna had been hatched in 1975, but was deceased in the same year. A second child was hatched in 1979...Ruth Bartholomew Ruatha. Maurice and Aisling Ruatha were both listed as deceased in 1980 on the same date. There were no further details listed, but Ruth's timeline was left open.

Opening another window, Malaprop pulled Droogle up again and typed in Maurice and Aisling Ruatha, hitting enter. Over 300,000 hits came up in seconds. Shaking his head he added 1980 to the search line, and was immediately presented with over 160,000 options. Scanning the first page, he clicked on an obituary article in The Times, dated 17th Feb 1980.

We regret to announce the sad passing of Maurice and Aisling Ruatha, respected members of the British diplomatic service in Ireland. They passed away due to an act of terrorism when a bomb exploded under the stage of a peace rally they were attending in Belfast on behalf of Prime Minister Thatcher. They will be much missed for their dedicated services in furthering Anglo-Irish relationships, despite the tragic loss of their first born Brianna in 1975 from a rare scale condition. They are succeeded by their single son, ten month old Ruth Bartholomew Ruatha. The funeral report will follow on the 24th after they have been laid to rest.

A link passed Malaprop onto that report. Amongst the hundreds of attendants listed, Margaret Thatcher and Edward Heath were present, alongside Michael Foot, James Callaghan, David Steel and Princess Anne. Geraldine and Paul Troutham and their twelve children were also in attendance. There was a noticeable absence of the Caradine family. There was also another name that perked Malaprop's attention... Alan Giles. Ruth was not listed, but Malaprop assumed that was because he would have been too young.

Malaprop brought Droogle up again, and altered the search date to 1975. A small article in The Times came up prominently, reporting the birth and death of Brianna Leah Ruatha four days after hatching, to Maurice and Aisling Ruatha. Cause of death was a rare condition amongst dragons that meant she had not developed scales in the egg. It was incurable, and though some sufferers had survived for a few years, she had succumbed to infection almost immediately. A picture of a large male Green dragon in a suit, comforting a pure Silver dragoness outside the maternity wing of Great Ormond street hospital in London was attached alongside it.

Changing the date again, he tried searching 1979, the date of Ruth's birth. Another article from The Times came up. This time it was reporting the hatching of senior diplomat's Ruatha's second child. Born healthy this time though with an unknown condition that meant the male had pure white scales. This time there was a picture of the same green and silver dragons holding a small white hatchling up to the camera with pride, also with a backdrop of Ormond street hospital. The report went on to say that the son, one Ruth Bartholomew Ruatha had been named after an ancient Celtic king, and was being released into the care of his parents. That proved beyond any doubt that Ruth was of full blood, despite his colour. Searching images, the same Green male and silver female came up repeatedly at various important State and Irish functions under Maurice and Aisling Ruatha's names.

Ruth's history was a mystery though, so Malaprop tried one final search, altering the date to 1981. A single column report alongside a picture of an immature white hatchling dragon came up from The Times again, reporting that the custody of Ruth Bartholomew Ruatha, son of the late Maurice and Aisling Ruatha had been signed over along with the estate of the deceased to his nearest surviving relative, one Geraldine Troutham nee Ruatha, the child's aunt and her mate.

No further history was present anywhere that he could find. The Times must have dropped its reporting of Ruth's history and moved onto more current affairs at the time. No amount of tweaking of the search box, or a direct enquiry at Oxford College's provided anything other about Ruth, other than he had graduated with a first in 1990.

Malaprop switched the printer on and carefully printed out hard copies of all the information, reports and pictures that he had gained from his couple of hour's research. He then closed all the computers windows, and shut the machine down. He flicked through the stacked envelopes and pulled out the one addressed to Alan. Slitting the velum with a talon, he opened the envelope and grabbed another sheet of foolscap.

Dear Alan,

On a personal note, could you try and remember everything you can about Maurice and Aisling Ruatha. In a report I recently came across, your name appeared on the list of representatives at their funeral in 1980. They are of interest to Elizabeth and myself. Please do not approach Lance with your recollections without talking to myself or Elizabeth in private first.

Yours Malaprop.

Signing the new letter himself, he slipped it in with the original letter, and addressed a new envelope, adding it to the pile.

He stood stretching his muscles, and glanced at the clock. It was approaching two in the afternoon. The gate buzzer sounded, and he flicked the monitor on next to the desk, observing a young hawk in Overland's uniform standing patiently by the entrance. Flicking the mike on, he told the courier to wait, and gathered up the envelopes from where he had stacked them, walking towards the front door. Deactivating the alarm net, he buzzed the hawk in, and opened oak portal to await his arrival. The bird landed on the stone steps and swung his dispatch bag around onto his chest, accepting the envelopes with a salute and a thank you, then turned and took off directly heading for the docklands for sort and redirection.

Malaprop smiled as he closed the door and reactivated the net. 'Today had certainly been productive for once,' he thought as he headed to make afternoon tea for Lance and Elizabeth.

****

Felix glanced at Ruth who had flushed pink under his scales. "There is nothing more to tell Jane. I was reading the in-flight magazine in the lounge and I became involved in a discussion with a fellow passenger, Wan Chan."

Jane grinned, "Liar," she said taking a nibble from her plate.

"Pardon?" Ruth asked, shocked at the demure doe's statement.

Felix looked about to intervene, but Jane held up a hand forestalling him, "Mr Ruatha, Ruth. I have been working here alongside Mr Jupiter for over twelve years. Contracts like the one you dropped on the table this morning do not just get handed over to strangers. One thing you learn working with Mr Jupiter is to read peoples emotions. Females can usually hide things, males can't. Something else happened between you and Mr Chan. Had I not known that you are happily mated and expecting eggs I would have suspected that you had a passing relationship with this Mr Chan, but as you are obviously straight and now hanging your jaw at the very suggestion, that is eliminated from the equation. Therefore, something else must have happened," Jane finished.

Ruth closed his jaw, staring at his inquisitor for a few seconds, "What possible bearing could the real circumstances have on the contract?" Ruth asked finally.

"A great deal Mr Ruatha, a great deal. I have had my department waste many hours producing tenders for contracts that didn't materialise because they were the product of a staff member's imagination. Your production of this contract at so convenient a time seems a little...shall we say...suspect."

Ruth looked at Felix who shrugged his shoulders, "This hasn't anything to do with Jessica's free pass, has it Ruth?" The cat asked.

"Felix, quiet! You know that can't be allowed to get out," Ruth said staring at his boss.

"I assure you Mr. Ruatha, anything that is revealed will remain between you and me alone unless it effects the company's reputation," Jane said, watching for further reaction.

Ruth thought for a few seconds, then turned back to the doe. "Jessica, my mate allows certain freedoms when we are apart. I allowed myself to be entertained by a stewardess on the return flight from Singapore. However, Jessica has me trained well, and the assignation was more than mutually satisfying. The stewardess in question was an Eastern Dragoness. During our time together in my cabin, I awoke some of her 'Qi' skills. She then used those skills to fetch a Champagne bottle and flutes from the lounge via," Ruth thought for a few seconds, "Telekinesis would be the closest western description of 'Qi', though it is not technically that from what I understand, more a manipulation of air molecules. Wan Chan, also an Eastern Dragon, happened to be in the lounge when the bottle and flutes floated from the refrigerator and down to my cabin. He enquired with the head stewardess on duty at the bar about who was responsible. He then requested an introduction with Heidi -the stewardess- and myself. Heidi was immediately offered a position in his team of performers, and as I had awoken her skills, he then offered me the opportunity to bid for the contract as a return of favours," Ruth finished quietly.

"So you shagged a stewardess, awoke a few primal skills in her, she flashed them around, and someone who recognised them just happened to be in the right place at the right time?" Jane questioned grinning.

"That's about it..." Ruth said shrugging his shoulders.

"Perfect, just perfect. I have heard of females sleeping with clients in order to secure favourable contracts, after all I have done it myself, but this is the first time I have ever heard of it with a male," Jane said, her peal of laughter causing some heads to turn in their direction.

"I didn't sleep with her to get a..." Ruth started protesting.

"Of course you didn't, but the result was the same. Oh I wish I could spread this around, but I will honour your confidentiality. I will though suggest your name when it comes to presenting tenders to female clients in the future, and maybe I should give you a test drive at some point as well. Mr Jupiter used to have a different female every night, and still plays around now. His mate is either blind, stupid, or likes the financial security. Though his habits are well known amongst the staff, we can keep secrets when we need to. I assume there was protection, so no complications will come of your meeting?" Jane asked.

Ruth nodded, not wanting to reveal that none was necessary.

"Good. I will authorise the tendering process now Mr Ruatha. No one could make a story like that up, besides it played across your face when you told it, so I know it's the truth. Remind yourself never to play poker Ruth, you will lose," Jane finished her salad chuckling.¡

"I have never had the mind for card games..." Ruth said thinking over Jane's words and looking at Felix.

"No, just pool?" Jane interrupted laughing.

"Touche," Ruth laughed, "Next time I will not be half asleep, so I should be a match for Clyde in the rematch. He had an unfair advantage!"

"I think you should still lose though Ruth. Better to keep the client happy you know," Jane suggested sipping from her bottle and licking her lips saucily.

"If and when you meet Clyde, you will find that he is a very blokey bloke. He would spot a fake loss from a mile away. I read people well myself you know Jane. Trust me, I would be more likely to piss him off if I threw a rematch deliberately."

"So he is a typical Aussie then?"

"As far as I can tell. Apart from a few bar-tenders here in the UK he is the first one I have met in person."

"Good. That gives me a clue on how to handle him when I speak on the phone with him. I gather he is a roo as well?" Jane asked thinking for a moment.

"Yes, Why?" Ruth replied.

"I may arrange a personal meeting at some point then, show the finer things that the Brit's have to offer," Jane said smiling.

"Pardon?" Felix said looking at the middle aged doe in front of them.

"Oh come on Felix. After everything you have heard sitting there this lunch time, you know what I mean," Jane admonished shaking her hand at him.

"But..."

"Check around your office gossip tree Felix. I bet more than one of your female staff has offered perks to your contract clients in order to keep them sweet. Rumour has it when finance contacted the landlords of the office Ruth runs to pay the rent, they picked up gossip that he had stayed late with his secretary last week. They also mentioned that she had left hurriedly to catch him on his holiday, and had not come back."

Ruth's jaw dropped and Felix flushed. Jane laughed, "Try working in the city. Secrets never stay secret for long you know. I gather from your reaction Ruth something did happen. Well may I suggest that if Amy as I believe her name is, is agreeable, you move her with you to Warrington and give her the option to seek new contracts for you. Could see the office grow even more if she is attractive enough," Jane batted her eyelids at the pair of them.

"Clyde has a mate you know..." Ruth started trying to change the subject.

"Which means diddly squat if she doesn't find out. For all you know he may have the same freedoms you have," Jane interrupted, "Always wanted to try a marsupial in bed you know!"

"Had," Ruth stated.

"Oh? Something change your mates mind?" Jane continued pouncing on the morsel of possible gossip.

"Yes, her pregnancy. I have no more freedom except in company now. It never bothered me before, so I won't miss it. I have all I need from Jessica anyway. I will insist that if I end up in Australia on set up, Jessica must accompany me," Ruth answered, this time trying to keep his face straight.

He either succeeded, or Jane didn't notice his sidestepping, "I am sure that finance would authorise that, the hotel would be the same cost anyway apart from the food. It would just be the plane tickets."

"I gather you do not have a mate then Jane?" Felix asked distracting her further, as he didn't want Ruth's privacy invaded more.

"No. Had a stag at home once, but he couldn't put up with my late nights. He found himself an accountant somewhere and left me. Didn't exactly miss him as you can gather. Maybe one day I will settle down, but while I still can, I handle some of the regular client renewal. Did I hear you mention Ruth that you had freedom in company?" Jane asked, sipping her water again.

"Well yes..." he paused as Jane was staring at Felix who had turned a funny shade of pink.

"You, your mate and your boss, and his mate as well I assume?" Jane said grinning.

Ruth glanced at Felix then nodded.

"You surprise me more and more Mr Ruatha! When did that happen?"

"Last night, at the Draheal," Felix responded quietly.

"Enjoyable?"

"Very..."

"Your mate enjoy it?"

"From her reaction yes after he healed her," Felix answered quietly, glancing around to try and ascertain if anyone else could overhear them.

"Healed her?" Jane pressed.

"There is a size difference you know Jane between Ruth and I. Jessica had to heal me as well after she had finished with me."

"Thought you were walking funny," Jane grinned.

"Stop it please now. Do they not have sexual discrimination laws around here down south?" Ruth asked starting to get annoyed.

"Try going to court and saying you were harassed by a woman. Your reputation would be shot, and you would lose. It's all fun amongst friends anyway," she grinned again, running her tongue out and dampening her nose. She glanced at the clock. "Well it is time to resume the meeting soon gentleman and I must go and see my staff. You are staying at the Draheal you said?" Ruth and Felix nodded, "Well I will meet you in the bar at eight tonight. I am guessing that Felix and his mate are not up for a second round, so I will take that test drive mentioned earlier if your mate agrees to it Ruth and find out what your secret is," Jane finished, standing to dump her plate by the hatch before he could refuse.

Ruth turned to Felix who just shrugged. "Hope she doesn't mind an audience, I have a feeling that Charity will hold you to the demonstration that was implied this morning."

"I am more worried then that Jane will not approve of Jessica's participation. She won't just sit back you know," Ruth said thoughtfully, "We know she will be coming alone."

"I have a feeling that she will be surprised then. Be nice to see how that frowzy little tart handles a real male...and female!" Felix replied laughing.

"Wonder if she has had a dragon before?" Ruth pondered grinning.

"We will soon find out if Jessica agrees," Felix said, taking his plate to the drop area.

****

Lance and Elizabeth looked up from the pile of box files as Malaprop entered the study with two trays on a tea trolley. Lance glanced at the clock and stretched. "That time already?" Lance commented absentmindedly, "The time seems to blur when you are reading the same things over and over."

"The letters have been dispatched via courier as requested Sir. I considered that it was time for your lunch, so I prepared something light for you and Lady Elizabeth," Malaprop replied, choosing not to answer what seemed to be the previous rhetorical question.

"I heard the gate buzzer, and as you didn't fetch me I assumed that was the case. What else have you been doing while we have been in here?" Lance asked as Malaprop served the sandwiches.

"I have been cleaning the kitchen, and helping to get the supplies ready for the lodge and Lady Gertrude. Owen and Heather are airing it out as we speak." Malaprop replied glancing at Elizabeth, who was watching him. HE winked when Lance turned to take a bite from the proffered sandwich.

"Mmm, good thinking...Can you clear the dining suite for me after. There is too much in here for the others to look over. We would never be able to fit comfortably. You can transfer it over onto the table in sections tomorrow. Oh, and can you call the gardening team to come and mow and weed the borders. I want the place looking as well as it can do considering."

"I will do so Sir, do you need a hand in here?" Malaprop replied starting back towards the door.

"No...It is best that Beth and I sort this out. After last night, could you prepare dinner for seven this evening? I, for one, wish to retire early. Anything that we don't get done here today can be done tomorrow and Thursday," Lance finished as an afterthought.

"Very well Sir. Will steak tartar do with a salad?"

"Sounds good to me...make sure you season it well though."

"I always do, Sir." Malaprop replied shaking his head as he left the study. All these years and Lance still tried to tell him how to do his job. Guaranteed he had only handled the cooking for the last four, since Alison the cook had retired and had not been replaced due to finances, but no complaints had ever come of his preparations.

Lance sat back in one of the wing-backs with his sandwich and looked across the cluttered table at Elizabeth. "What do you think we will do if all this comes to naught?" he asked waving at all the bulging boxes.

"We always have my family Lance if you back off from you choices about Jessica," Beth replied taking a sip of her tea.

"What do you mean if?"

"I will not approach them if only you and I will be the beneficiaries. It will be a different matter if my parents are asked to support their granddaughter and her offspring." Beth stated flatly.

"But surely they would help you?"

"Not if I don't ask them for it Lance. I will not go with a begging bowl to them to save my skin. We can live quite happily in the lodge. Most of this place is empty now anyway now that you don't allow social gatherings here anymore."

Lance grumbled to himself, knowing that he couldn't bypass her decision. "We will just have to see then," he muttered.

"Your family will not let the villa or the contents go, so we will just have to live more frugally for a few years more. Things will pick up eventually in time."

"I hope so Beth, and I hope I will be around to see it." Lance placed his plate back down on the table, and the gate buzzer sounded again. He heard Malaprop walking towards the gate and a muffled conversation through the hallways microphone followed by the buzz of the lock. "Wonder who that is?" Lance questioned himself.

Beth shook her head, shrugging to say she had no idea. The front door opened and a few words were exchanged between the butler and the arrival, then the door closed again followed a few seconds later by the alarm pads reactivation. Malaprop's footprints headed over towards the study and the door opened again. "Who was that?" Lance asked as the black dragon gathered the plates and cups back onto the trolley.

"Just the Overland courier sir. Alan asked the hawk who delivered his message to return flight his answer that he will be here on Friday," Malaprop answered.

"Good...The old army boy was always prompt in his responses. No need to let me know if anyone else responds." Lance replied turning back to the table.

"Very well Sir, I will be going out this evening after eight. I am meeting with someone and it has been arranged for a while," Malaprop said as he wheeled the trolley back towards the door.

Lance nodded after a second, considering asking if it was a date, then changing his mind as he didn't want to know really, "Owen will have to settle me then," he responded instead.

"I will inform him Sir," Malaprop said closing the door behind him.

What the real message that had arrived from Alan was, that he wanted to meet with Malaprop in The Bent Wing's pub at nine to discuss Maurice and Aisling, but he let Lance think what he wished to avoid revealing that...