Keira Adams (keiraadams) wrote in shadowlands_ic, @ 2018-02-21 09:29:00 |
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Entry tags: | cassius corbet, keira adams |
Who: Keira and Cassius
What: Business Proposition
When: February 21, 1889
Where: Hidden Treasures
Warning: None
Cassius stepped inside the door of Hidden Treasures with much the same air as he had the first time, one of casual interest as his eyes swept first over the rows of cakes, and then over the proprietress, who was as flame-haired and spirited as he also remembered.
"Ah, Mrs Adams," Cassius said by way of greeting. "How pleasant to see you again. I hope I find you well? Business profitable? Even split by half," he added, with put-on sympathy. "Tell me, does the co-owner work here, or simply reap the benefits of your labours? For shame, if they do," he tutted, clucking his tongue. "You could do far better."
Keira was in the midst of placing a tray of cookies in her display case when the jingle of the bell announced she had a guest. "Welcome to Hidden Treasures," she called out before standing straight and turning to see who her guest was. Lord Cassius Ravensworth. Of course she would come to face him again, and so soon after her run in with his wife.
"Lord Ravensworth," she greeted with a smile and a small curtsey. "A pleasure to see you again." She took a breath and clasped her hands in front of her. Her eyes narrowed at the mention of a co-owner and she tilted her head slightly to the side. His wife had hinted at such, by asking if her business were independent but she hadn't been sure. "I do not have a co-owner," she said with a shake of her head. "I am sole owner, I do not even have a silent partner. Why would you think I would have a co-owner? Because I am a woman?"
Now that was interesting. Cassius raised an eyebrow. “No. Because someone claiming to be so came to my home, to tell me you were unavailable for other ventures.” He laced his fingers over the head of his walking stick. “You wouldn’t happen to know why that might be? If it isn’t true, then it seems someone else is looking to profit from your interests. You should take care.”
Keira felt her shoulders tense. Someone was claiming that they owned half of her shop? That did not sit well with her at all. “I can show you the documents,” she said. Not that she had to prove anything, but her owning her business mattered quite a bit to her and if someone was claiming it she wanted to know who. “Who? Who would tell you that they own part of my business?” She was confused by this and angry. “No one profits from this but myself.”
"No," Cassius agreed. "Indeed, I think they were very foolish, to make such a claim."
Did DiPalermo believe that he wouldn't follow up on her story, or did she consider herself so untouchable that she simply didn't care? Waiting to see what conclusions Mrs Adams drew herself, Cassius offered, "When you spoke of someone else who might provide answers about your...unusual habits...I believed you in earnest. I still do, in point of fact. Unfortunately, rather than answers, I find I'm left with more questions." Cassius paused delicately before prompting, "Questions, and a - contested - claim that your business is not, in fact, your own."
“Lady Di Palermo?” Keira gasped in shock and then leaned against the counter. “She staked claim as co-ownership to my business? To Hidden Treasure? She didn’t explain?” She took a calming breath and looked at Cassius, meeting his eyes. “It’s all untrue,” she said grumpily. “I, and I alone, own Hidden Treasures.” Yes it was true that Chiara had paid a year's worth of rent, a gift for being faithful to the sisterhood, but that did not mean she had any claim to her business. “I had thought I understood that she would explain, that she would even like to make an ally of you. I’m sorry that, instead, she told an untruth and left you with more questions,” she sighed. “Questions that I cannot answer, I’m afraid. What else did she say?”
Cassius wasn't surprised to hear that Di Palermo had lied. He was far more interested in seeing whether that marked the beginning of a crack, into which he could drive a wedge to pry them apart and reveal all of these well-guarded secrets.
"That you belong to her," Cassius replied mildly. "That you ran the bakery as a front for her when she could not, and that she supported you with family money. Because she owns you, as well as your business." He raised an eyebrow. "Should I assume this is something you'd like to dispute?"
The look that passed across Keira’s face should have told Cassius everything he needed to know. She was pale, shocked, and angry. How could...she trusted Chiara! Why would she...how could she...she wanted to weep and hurt something/one all at the same time. She gave everything to the Sisterhood. Everything but her shop. She was starting to wonder if she were being controlled by Chiara as her late husband had tried to control her.
“Yes,” she said, her voice like steel. “You assume correctly. I belong to no one, the shop is mine and mine alone. I have…allowed her to use the business as a front for certain things, as I also work for her, but she does not own me!”
Cassius couldn't have been more pleased with the news, although he kept the satisfied smile from his face, as in this mood, he couldn't imagine it would be well-received. Di Palermo had hung the noose around her own neck, and it had just been waiting there for Cassius to tighten it.
He nodded gravely instead. "My apologies, Mrs Adams," he told her. "I was misinformed. I beg your pardon for any insult."
“It is not you that has insulted me,” Keira said after a moment, followed by a sigh. “I apologize for my...behaviour. I am upset,” she looked away for a moment. How could Chiara do that? What had she been thinking? Did she think that Cassius wouldn’t come asking? Would not wonder? And had she thought that since Keira would not give up the sisterhood, that she would let the woman take credit for what she had worked so hard for? “Forgive my rudeness,” she then looked to him once more, realizing she hadn’t offered him anything. “Would you like a tea? Or something to snack on?” Did he eat food? She knew little of vampires other than that they drank blood.
Cassius offered a brief smile at last. "I require nothing, though I thank you for your hospitality. Would you care for some tea, however? If I may be your excuse, you are welcome to use me as such. I would welcome your company, if you are still inclined to share it. I have caused you to be upset--as the messenger, if nothing else," he clarified, forestalling any further protest. "It is the least I can do to try to improve your mood before I take my leave."
“I’m unsure my mood can be improved on,” Keira said, though she gave Cassius a bit of a smile. She went about making herself some tea and then moved from around the counter and gestured for Cassius to join her at a table before she took her own seat. “I don’t know what I am to do now,” she murmured.
As an opening, it couldn't have been more perfect. Cassius had intended to wait before making his offer, but if Mrs Adams was thinking of her future, then Cassius would give her something to think about.
"I might have a suggestion," he remarked, waiting a moment for Mrs Adams to settle in her seat before he joined her. "It was why I came to pay a call, actually. I was uncertain whether or not you might be...free...to entertain such a proposal."
He waited for tea to be served, and inclined his head in thanks. "When you say you work for her...? and that she uses your shop...as a front?" His tone made only polite enquiry, inviting her to share his confidence if she would.
Keira served the tea and then looked at Cassius warily. She was quiet a few moments, taking time to put a bit of sugar and honey in her tea and stir. When she was done, she lightly tapped the tiny spoon against her cup and then laid it down so she could use both hands to bring the tea cup to her lips.
“I have...moved items when the need arose,” she said cautiously. “No one expects anything from a shop such as mine, or from the innocent-looking proprietress,” she said with a sweet smile. “You would like to use my shop, myself, for the same sort of deed?” She asked, lifting an eyebrow. Was she really willing to jump from one figurative bed to another in illegal doings?
That answered quite a few questions, even if the details were only implied. Cassius sat back in his chair, satisfied. "Not at all," he replied, the same enigmatic smile on his lips. "My interest is more in the proprietress, rather than in the shop. As you say..." He raised his teacup to her in toast. "You do excel in seeming innocent."
Keira rose her eyebrows before giving him a sweet smile. Yes, she had the innocent role down. It was easy, considering. “What would you have me do, Lord Ravensworth,” she asked before lifting her tea cup. “If it consists of using me and claiming things that do not belong to you, then I am not interested.” She needed to figure out what she was going to say to Chiara, if anything at all.
Cassius set down his cup and folded his hands. "In point of fact, it consists of you aiding someone in watching those who might be using and claiming things which do not belong to them. Nor me, and I would not stand to claim them," he assured, "but I do have an interest in seeing an end to any illicit activities. I won’t benefit in any event, and may in fact lose some capital; however..." He shrugged mildly. "Some ventures are more valuable than mere money."
Reaching for his cup, he took another sip of tea. “I could not tell you more in detail until you were in my employ, but if you have general questions, I will answer them if I may.”
An end to illicit activities would probably be an end to most of Chiara’s activities, she thought with a chuckle. Not that Keira knew all of what Chiara had her hands in, but she was sure if her level was just pickpocketing and moving certain items, then the upper levels did much more in criminal activities.
But did that mean she needed to switch from one side to the other?
“You are asking for me to join up with you?” Keira asked. “To see an end to illicit activites? Isn’t that what the police are for?” She asked with a small smirk. “And you...are you on the up and up? I don’t know why, but I wouldn’t peg you for an upstanding citizen,” she teased him, giving him a smile to show that she was. “I’m not sure you could afford my services,” she then said. “I have to pay for this, as well as finish school…” she trailed off, realizing she just gave him more information on herself. Dammit! She knew entirely nothing about him, and yet he knew quite about about her. “Tell me why I should trust you, Lord Ravensworth.”
Cassius raised an eyebrow. "We would be in a position of needing to trust one another, Mrs Adams, and I believe I have a great deal more to lose than you, should my confidence be betrayed."
He toyed with the signet ring on his finger for a moment before speaking again, more slowly and cautiously. "I may yet involve the Night Watch in this matter, but at the moment, the agent already acting on information would be put at risk through any official inquiry, and I suspect nothing would be gained from it. Those responsible hold a great deal of power, and a great deal of money. And they have kept this secret for what seems to be...quite a long time."
Cassius' attention had gone distant; now it returned to Mrs Adams, attentive again. "I can tell you the nature of the crime, but I would prefer to keep it private unless I know you might seriously consider taking on such work. Not without risk," he warned. "Though you have some experience already in that arena."
The nature of the crime, he guessed, would be what swayed her in the end, if she could be swayed. The crime, the opportunity, and the novelty of undercover work for a vampire earl who would be in her debt. Money hadn't even entered into his list of potential concerns.
"You would be well-compensated," he assured her. "It would be legitimate work, with a decent salary, and I could offer you additional payment for the danger to your welfare."
“You may have a great deal to lose, yes, but what little I have to lose is everything to me,” Keira responded in kind. Her eyes trailed to the ring on his finger that he played with it for a few minutes, then she gave herself a mental shake and looked back to him.
“I have to say that I am intrigued,” she admitted. “But I can’t make any decisions right now, not while I’m upset. Any decision I make will affect my future,” she sighed. “I can’t deny that Lady Di Palermo has been there for me, helped me get on my feet and has taught me quite a few skills,” not to mention that she had paid her way through university. She was torn with what to do, but still angry at Chiara. “Can I have a few days to think upon it? We could meet again, at the end of the week and I can give you my answer then?” She was quiet for a second before adding. “If I were to make a decision now, it would be in the affirmative, because what you have said and you yourself intrigue me,” she looked down at her tea and tried to keep the flush from staining her cheeks. “But I need to know that I my thoughts are level and that I do nothing rash that will come back to bite me later.”
Cassius nodded his agreement. "It isn't urgent. Shall I return in, say, a week's time, and we can speak again? I should wish for you to go into this arrangement clear-headed as well, and with a clear conscience."
He had her, nearly, he thought; Di Palermo had wagered badly, and it would cost her. There was, however, a great deal to Mrs Adams--ambitions in education, for one, and criminal connections for another. If Cassius could turn her, she would make a valuable ally.
"I'm not looking for a tool, Mrs Adams," Cassius told her before he let the subject go. "I'm looking for an agent. I recognize the two may seem similar from a certain perspective, but I hope you will allow me the chance to show you their differences. Next week, perhaps, when I visit again. I can answer any further questions then, once you've had time to consider my offer."
Keira was relieved that Cassius would give her a few days to think on everything. There was a lot she had to think over and she would have to speak to Chiara as well. Maybe Chiara had a good reason for claiming things that did not belong to her, but Keira couldn’t think of one.
“A week’s time will be enough,” she nodded, giving him a smile. “Thank you.” She was sure she would know the answer soon than that, but she would take the week and wait for his next visit to give him an answer. “And in a week’s time, I will definitely have questions that will need answers.”
“If I choose to change a few things in my life, I will have to move quickly,” she told him. “I will have to find a new place to live as I will not be welcome where I am at any longer.” And she would have to set up precautions to watch her back. Chiara might let her go without words, but Keira wouldn’t put it past the leader of the Sisterhood to put someone on her to follow and watch what she was up to.
Cassius considered the implications of that statement. Di Palermo was not entirely a fool; by keeping her assets under obligation to her, she assured it would be difficult for them to leave her service. Mrs Adams was a courageous woman indeed.
"I would be willing to discuss options for your future, should you seek my assistance," Cassius replied, knowing that Mrs Adams might prefer not to make the same choice twice, and put herself in Cassius' power to any degree. "Or, if you prefer, I'm certain the Countess would also be a valuable resource, and willing to aid a fellow woman in need." Cassius smiled faintly. "Particularly one who runs her own business, attends school, and manages her own affairs with such skill. Indeed," he remarked, shaking his head slightly in amusement, "should she learn the extent of your pursuits, she might very well make a better offer than I have myself."
Cassius finished his tea and set the cup down. "I leave it to you, Mrs Adams. And I look forward to meeting with you again next week."
“You are kind, Lord Ravensworth,” Keira nodded. “I will just have to run the numbers and see what it is I can do for myself.” Yes she worked for Chiara and lived in the home for the Sisterhood, but she’d made sure to save her money and only spend when needed and splurge little. She could take care of herself, but she would need that little bit of extra income for just in case.
“I promise, you will have your answer by the time of your next visit,” she gave a nod of her head. “Tell Lady Ravensworth hello for me,” she then said.