For the first time in his life, Inglorion is entirely love-struck. After one evening in Virginia’s company, he’s gone from finding her intriguing and feeling excited about the possibility she represents, to the conviction that he must have her, and that he’s willing to remove any obstacle, overcome any objection. He wakes up the following […]
Inglorion is unusually nervous when he presents himself at Virginia’s suite the following evening. He feels guilty and anxious, but he’s drawn forward by anticipation. When her maidservant admits him to her private parlor, he’s surprised by the force of his desire — he’s almost bashful in her presence. At the same time, her manner […]
The next time Inglorion visits Lucius’s dressing room, Lucius says, “I think it’s time we had a little field trip. My mother is in town, looking into her business interests here. She owns a modiste’s shop, Madame Etoile’s. They have the usual stable of wealthy clients, but they also make women’s clothes to order for […]
Soundtrack: Adam Ant, And the Horse You Rode in On After a few more rounds of drinks and banter, Aramil proposes going to see a cabaret act. He knows a place nearby — he’s heard that there are several excellent performers on the bill that very night. Valentine says that he doesn’t know, he might […]
Late that afternoon, Inglorion walks over to Artemisia’s house, still feeling cheerful and bubbly. She receives him in her sitting room. “What’s got you so chipper?” she asks, in a voice that implies a willingness to wipe the smile off of Inglorion’s face. “I’ve finally managed to find a proper situation for my valet, Ajax. […]
Soundtrack and Video: Adam Ant, “Wonderful,” 2011 live acoustic Aramil and Valentine are gathering up practice weapons and boxing gloves, and preparing to spar in the atrium. As Valentine unlocks the French doors that lead from the armory to the garden, they hear someone singing, first softly, then at full volume. Valentine recognizes Inglorion’s voice, and is […]
The next morning Valentine wakes up feeling stale and weighed down, though he doesn’t remember why. He spends the morning reading correspondence from his estate agent and lawyers, and consulting with Ajax about household matters. Valentine is forcibly reminded of his sorrow when he meets Inglorion in the atrium, where they’ve marked out a boxing ring. […]
As promised, Inglorion introduces Valentine to his intelligence sources in Amakir. It would be unjust to call Inglorion a honeypot, but he does count several attractive, unattached women among his professional acquaintance. After a few weeks in Amakir, it’s obvious to Valentine that his older cousin freely mingles business and pleasure, and can’t imagine operating […]
They’re silent for a time. Marcus feels remorse, so he says, “I don’t mean to give you a hard time about your daughter and her mother. It’s not a conversation I would have opened with our father. You may not care what I think, but you do care about being kind. And as the head […]
As he walks over to Shelawn House, Inglorion’s mood is defiant. He and Marcus have enjoyed cordial, if distant, relations as adults. They each acknowledge that the other is a decent, honorable fellow. That said, their habits, values, temperaments, and modes of life could hardly be more different. They share a father, and some family […]
