Tehr finished his meal while he listened to Christina talk, nodding and glad he didn't have to respond so he could focus on eating his meal.  But when Angelique spoke he reached up to touch her hand and said with genuine love and affection in his voice, "I'm sorry my angel, there was a matter at the palace that demanded I stay."  He saw the look on both her and Christina's face, and quickly added, "It's not what you think..."  Then sighing nodded his head, "Well it's not JUST what you think.  I'm not at liberty to speak about it just yet, but suffice it to say that things are going to get very interesting at court in the next day or two.  So much so that I may be spending more nights there if the queen requests it."<br/><br/>He raised his voice so that Sarah Applemane would hear, "In fact, if the Dales are so bold as to approach you, I would warn against caution.  I don't think any of you should go out alone, make sure you are always with someone else."  Turning to Christina he added, "and I don't want you going anywhere without either Tera or the new young man we've hired on.  A halfling purportedly of martial prowess by the name of Luis who will be coming to stay with us if he passes Tera's muster.  As I rise in esteem, and our house does as well, you become a more and more tantalizing target."<br/><br/>He stood and said, "I must spend a few hours working on my artifice, it will be a needed source of income for some tasks our house will be taking on shortly.  But Christina would you join me in my workshop?  I have one or two matters of house business I wish to discuss while I set up for the morning."  Then turning to Angelique, "Wonderful breakfast as always Angelique, thank you ever so much.  This house is running like a fine foreign clock under you."  He leaned in and kissed her cheek affectionately before moving to his upstairs to his workshop next to his bedroom.<br/><br/>Once inside he would close the door behind himself and Christina and tell her the truth, "Tina, you must not share this information, it must be a secret.  But you need not worry about mother marrying you to ir'Dale.  We have proof that he was behind an attempt to assassinate the queen last night."  He paused as Christina gasped and covered her mouth in horror.  "Poison, and it would have succeeded too were the gods not on our side and luck flowing in our favor.  As it is, one of the queen's guard was injured and almost died.  She would have died had I not been there."<br/><br/>He turned and walked towards a window, shaking his head.  "Things are moving very fast in Londinium and I fear that my weeks absence has only opened an opportunity for them to grow more bold.  But the queen values me as an adviser and I must answer her call if it comes.  Which means I may be spending less time in this wonderful home then I'd like.  With only Luis and Tera here to protect it, I fear for you.  You must be careful, do not open or consume any gifts, especially if they come from house Dale."<br/><br/>"I was thinking of offering our home, for we have two stately guest rooms after all, to the duke and his daughter Rosalyn.  Do you know what lodgings they have?  I shudder to think of them in a hotel, even if it is a nice one.  An ally from outside of londinium, and immune to the machinations of Dale, would be a great boon.  I'd neither like to see them hurt nor run out of town."   He made no mention of the fact that Christina had practically asked him for more sex in the kitchen.  If she was interested she'd bring it up again, and may the gods damn him, but with the door shut, he'd fulfill her request.