Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale (The Bane Chronicles 3)

She must have come to London because shed found the suitors available in Wales not to her taste, and was on a quest to find a husband to take back to Wales with her.

She had come to London in search of love.

Magnus could sympathize with that. He was aware that love was not always part of the bargain in high-society marriages, but Linette Owens seemed to have a mind of her own. He thought it likely she had a purpose-the right marriage, to the right man-and that she would accomplish it.

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"Welcome to London," Magnus told her.

Linette dropped a small curtsy in the open carriage. Her eyes traveled over Magnuss shoulder and softened. Magnus looked around, and Edmund was standing there, one whip curled around his wrist as if he were comforting himself with it. Magnus had to admit it was a feat to look so gloriously handsome and yet so woebegone.

Linette visibly yielded to a charitable impulse and stepped out of the carriage. She made her way across the cobblestones and stood before the forlorn young Shadowhunter.

"I am sorry if I was uncivil, or if I in any way implied I thought you were a . . . twpsyn," said Linette, tactfully not translating the word.

She put her hand out, and Edmund offered his, palm up and whip still curled around his shirt-sleeved wrist. There was a sudden hungry openness to his face; the moment had a sudden weight. Linette hesitated and then placed her hand in his.

"I am very much obliged to you for saving me and Angharad from a dreadful fate. Truly I am," said Linette. "Again, I apologize if I was ungracious. "

"I will give you leave to be as ungracious as you choose," Edmund said. "If I can see you again. "

He looked down at her, not making play with his eyelashes. His face was naked and open.

The moment turned. Edmunds serious, humble honesty did what eyelashes and swagger had not, and made Linette Owens hesitate.

"You can pay a call at 26 Eaton Square, at Lady Caroline Harcourts," she said. "If you still wish to in the morning. "

She drew her hand away, and after a single uncertain instant, Edmund let her.

Linette touched Magnuss arm before she ascended into the carriage. She was just as pretty and amiable as before, but something in her manner had changed. "Please come pay a call on me as well, if you care to, Mr. Bane. "

"Sounds delightful. "

He took her hand and helped her into the carriage, giving her away in one light graceful movement.

"Oh, and Mr. Herondale," said Miss Owens, putting her lovely laughing head through the carriage window. "Please leave your whips at home. "

Magnus made a small shooing gesture, minuscule cerulean sparks dancing between his fingers. The carriage set off driverless in the dark, down the London streets.

break

It was some time before Magnus attended another meeting about the proposed Accords, in the main because there had been disagreements about the choice of venue. Magnus himself had voted that they meet somewhere other than the section of the Institute that had been built off sacrosanct ground. He felt that the place had the air of the servants quarters. Mainly because Amalia Morgenstern had mentioned that the area used to be the Fairchilds servants quarters.

The Shadowhunters had resisted the idea of frequenting any low den of Downworlders (direct quote from Granville Fairchild), and the suggestion of staying outdoors and going to the park was vetoed because it was felt that the dignity of a conclave would be much impaired if some oblivious mundanes had a picnic in their midst.

Magnus did not believe a word of it.

After weeks of wrangling, their group finally capitulated and trailed dispiritedly back to the London Institute. The only bright spot was a literal bright spot-Camille was wearing an extremely fascinating red hat, and dainty red lace gloves.

"You look foolish and frivolous," said de Quincey under his breath as the Shadowhunters found their places around the table in the large dim room.

"De Quincey is quite right," said Magnus. "You look foolish, frivolous, and fabulous. "

Camille preened, and Magnus found it delightful and sympathetic, the way a small compliment could please a woman who had been beautiful for centuries.

"Exactly the effect I was attempting to produce," said Camille. "Shall I tell you a secret?"

"Pray do. " Magnus leaned in toward her, and she inclined toward him.

"I wore it for you," Camille whispered.

The dim, stately room, its walls cloaked in tapestries emblazoned with swords, stars, and the runes the Nephilim wore on their own skin, brightened suddenly. All of London seemed to brighten.

Magnus had been alive hundreds of years himself, and yet the simplest things could turn a day into a jewel, and a succession of days into a glittering chain that went on and on. Here was the simplest thing: a pretty girl liked him, and the day shone.

Ralf Scotts thin pale face turned paler still, and was set in lines of pain now, but Magnus did not know the boy and was not bound to care overmuch for his broken heart. If the lady preferred Magnus, Magnus was not inclined to argue with her.

"How pleased we are to receive you all here again," said Granville Fairchild, as stern as ever. He folded his hands before him on the table. "At long last. "

"How pleased we are that we could come to an agreement," said Magnus. "At long last. "

"I believe Roderick Morgenstern has prepared a few words," said Fairchild. His face was set, and his deep voice rang hollow. There was a slight suggestion of a kitten crying all alone in a large cave.

"I believe I have heard enough from Shadowhunters," said Ralf Scott. "We have already heard the terms of the Nephilim for the preservation of peace between our kind and yours-"

"The list of our requirements was by no means complete," interrupted a man called Silas Pangborn.

"Indeed it was not," said the woman at his side, as stern and beautiful as one of the Nephilims statues. Pangborn had introduced her as "Eloisa Ravenscar, my parabatai" with the same proprietary air as he might have said "my wife. "

Evidently, they stood united against Downworlders.

"We have terms of our own," said Ralf Scott.

There was utter silence from the Shadowhunters. From their faces, Magnus did not think they were preparing themselves to listen attentively. Instead they seemed stunned by Downworlder impudence.

Ralf persisted, despite the utter lack of encouragement for him to do so. The boy was valiant even in a lost cause, Magnus thought, and despite himself he felt a little pang.