Lunch ended up being an overly formal affair with pretty, lukewarm food and stilted conversation. No one discussed their work. No one discussed any rivalries. No one discussed the potential theft.

  Instead, they spoke in veiled terms about collaborations happening with other organizations and some charitable events they were going to host later that year. Backhanded compliments and well-veiled insults were traded back and forth with smiling faces and glaring eyes. I found myself wishing we had an excuse to leave early so I wouldn’t have to keep dealing with the drama, but Maguire wanted the affiliation and I wanted to be his backup.

  Plus, Genevieve’s work being potentially stolen had me nervous, as well as what exactly it was she was working on. Someone was trying to interfere with the upcoming assessment, either increasing or decreasing the odds of someone being recognized by the Mayfairs as an alchemist. I didn’t know enough about the full social structure to gauge who might be on what side of whatever was going on, but I had some ideas for how to figure it out.Maguire, for his part, kept asking questions that gave people the opportunity to brag, which I appreciated.

  “Most of our Society is attending to obligations elsewhere, including assisting with the spring seminar at the Academy,” Tiffany said. She’d been off working on some correspondence when we arrived, so we’d only just met. She seemed nice enough, if a bit younger than the rest. “Have you been invited to the Academy yet, Maguire?”

  “He has just begun the study of alchemy, dear. I highly doubt he’s caught the attention of the Academy,” Elmer muttered, earning a poisonous look from Geneveive.

  “I have visited the Academy a handful of times over the years, both as a student and as a teacher, courtesy of my previous employer’s affiliation. I did consider attending full time, but I have yet to find a compelling reason to do so,” he responded, simply.

  I hid my smirk behind my glass.

  “And who is your former employer?” Elmer pressed.

  “He used to work up north,” I interjected, “before I recruited him to join the Society of Jacks. He did a wonderful job there and he has done even better as a Jack. He is a very quick study in all things so far.”

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  “Why thank you, Claudia. You deserve some of the credit for that. You make a wonderful teacher.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that but I do have a unique approach when it comes to teaching. Some things can only be learned by doing.”

  “Did you teach him alchemy, then?”

  “He already knew the art. I just helped him continue to explore it, mostly providing a second set of eyes on his work and a sounding board. I consider myself a proficient hobbyist, but Maguire has a real gift for it.”

  “Are you looking to join our society?” Hieronymus asked.

  “I am not currently in a place where I can do such a commitment justice, though I hope to maintain a positive relationship with the society and its members. I know I yet have much to learn when it comes to the art of alchemy and perhaps I have some things of my own to share.”

  The tone of the attention shifted slightly at this, the alchemists eyeing Maguire with curiosity and respect. He had their interest, and I had an idea.

  If there really was someone looking to benefit off the work of others or sabotage their rivals, Maguire could prove to be the perfect bait. From the glint in his eye, he had the exact same thought. We’d have to work out the details, of course, but there would be time for that after lunch.

  We settled back into general pleasantries as the last course was served, followed with a tiny cup of coffee. One of the servants noticed the brief flash of disappointment that crossed my face and she slid me a note with directions to the kitchens.

  “I find I quite enjoy taking a stroll through the gardens after lunch,” Geneveive said, eyeing Maguire pointedly. “Would you care to join me, sir? You might be quite impressed with what we have cultivated.”

  I nudged Maguire’s ankle with my foot, tapping my toes on his in what I hoped he would interpret as encouragement. I’d have his back if he didn’t feel comfortable dealing with some overly-polite attempts at flirting. He knew that.

  “That sounds absolutely lovely,” he replied, side-eying me. “I will gladly accept this invitation.”

  “If my hosts allow, I may explore some of the open areas to see if I can help find those misplaced papers. Otherwise, I am perfectly capable of entertaining myself. I can always retire to the library if I need a rest,” I said.

  “But of course. As a member of the Society of Jacks, we know you are trustworthy. If you have any need of assistance, feel free to find one of us,” Marguerite said. She gave me a look that said she had an ulterior motive for her suggestion. I wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up in the library around the same time I did.

  In the meantime, I needed to run by the kitchens to see what kind of gossip the servants had for me.