Tehr smiled and caught her hand, capturing it and pulling it to his lips for a brief kiss on the back of her knuckles.  "Excellent, and I promise that should you ever find my company intollerable, you shall be released from any service.  I have no desire to cage a beauty like you, simply to hope that you'd choose to find employ with me something you'd enjoy.  I know I enjoy your company immensley, and you're not the sort that seems jealous, as I am unable to tie my affections to just one woman."<br/><br/>He kissed her hand once more, this time on the soft underside of her wrist, then let it go.  "One woman, no matter how fair she is.  Both of form and of mind."  Tehr smiled and then turned the discussion to more practical matters.  He explained that currently they would likely only need one other guard, and would have little room for any others.  As it was, the servants quarters that Angelique once held to herself would now be bunking three women.  While she, Heidi, and Tera seemed to get along all right, he had no desire to add any more strife to his household.  He also knew that most women in the city of common birth would consider such accommodations still to be quite luxurious, he had no desire to see his servants treated in any way other than fair and comfort.  For obvious reasons if Tera could not find a trustworthy guard that would not require lodging, she would have to find a trustworthy woman.  As liberal as Tehr was sexually, he wasn't about to quarter a male servant alongside three beautiful women like Tera, Angelique, and Heidi.<br/><br/>Tehr asked the driver to take a detour and drive by the abandoned mansion that the master mage had mentioned.  They couldn't get close due to the fact that the iron gates were closed with a large chain and padlock, both of which were showing signs of rust.  But as he gazed through the bars he saw great potential in the property.  He made a mental note to bring it up to the queen that such a property going to ruin right in Londinium was a shame.  He even considered trying to scale the twelve foot brick walls and exploring the abandoned home.  But he wasn't sure if the property was actually owned by anyone and didn't want to risk making enemies when he didn't have too.<br/><br/>Setting out for home, he kept his eye open for the urchin lad that he'd used as a messenger in the past.  If he spotted some other boy he'd call down to the child and ask if they were mates.  He'd give the child a copper to keep an eye open for the boy, and would give a description of the youth he had in mind, and a promise of a warm meal and a silver coin if the boy could find the urchin that Tehr saught.  All he'd have to do is show up at the Wynt House with the urchin and Tehr would make sure that the youth would be fed and paid.<br/><br/>These actions brought Tehr well into the afternoon and he decided he'd get a little rest before the ball.  Taking a short nap before arising to groom himself, dress, and prepare for the ball.   He'd make sure his body was prepared with the elven smoothness spell.  He didn't know if he'd be escorting the Queen to her private chambers tonight, but she had hinted that such a thing was possible.  He hoped that he hadn't ruined things with Emily d'Ravos.  She seemed displeased that he wouldn't be escorting her home that night.  But the needs of the kingdom came before personal desires.   He also made sure that Tera was appropriately garbed and ready for the ball.  That she understood she was to escort Emily d'Ravos home safely and hopefully put in a good word for him at the same time.   He couldn't afford to lose her as a friend or her house as an ally.  Not with House Dale moving against him now.<br/><br/>Also, a small part of him was excited to see his sister again.  He loved his sister, and Christina and he had a very strong bond.  No doubt she'd tease him for surrounding himself with three beautiful women, and he couldn't help but wonder if she'd moved out of her 'naturist' phase yet.   It was one thing to run naked through the woods when you lived in the country and lounge around with nothing but the sun on your skin... but here in Londinium he hoped she'd show more discretion.  A part of him wondered if it had something to do with their past, but they never talked about that... such relations were inappropriate.  Plus, as he had told Tera, he was far from a one woman man.<br/><br/>