Whimsy takes a long bath that morning, dresses nicely in a way that emphasizes her attractive points but maintains an air of conservatism. (No cleavage showing, but hair not in a bun.) She has Elaine pack a light valise for her and announces that she needs to visit someone in the Courts and may be gone for a day or two.
Then she sits down and makes a trump sketch of Edwin...and shortly thereafter trumps him.
He takes the call, then has a rather stunned expression on his face when he realizes who has trumped him....
"Good day, Edwin. I would speak with you on a rather important matter. Would you consent to bring me through to the Courts?" Whimsy asks.
She extends her hand, and noting his hesitance, adds "I give my word as a subject of Emperor Nicholas and as a Duchess of Amber that I will attempt nothing ill towards you or yours."
"Er, I hesitate, Duchess, only because I am not in the Courts at the moment," he answers.
"How very inconvenient, Lord Edwin," she replies. "I had hoped for you assistance in a matter relating to Jesby."
She pauses a moment...there is a softening to her expression.
"Edwin...I wish to speak with someone of Jesby about...reparations...for my actions. I believe you understand," she says, faltering somewhat.
"It is time for me to atone for the sins of the past."
"Really?" he says, looking surprised. "Well, I believe the best person to talk to would be my mother."
Whimsy flinches almost imperceptibly at that. "Would you be willing to make arrangements for this, Edwin? I do not feel it would be appropriate for me to approach her alone."
"I would be happy to. Shall I assume you'd like to see her as soon as possible?" he asks.
"Yes, please," she replies. "I'd like to arrange to meet with her before I get roped into other matters." She pauses. "And I'd like to be done with this."
He pauses in pulling a card out of his vest pocket just long enough for an inquisitive look at her last sentence, then continues and focuses on the card.
"Yes.... Hello Mother. I've a request of you. No, no, not that. It's more of a request for Duchess Dahlia. Yes. No, no. She'd like to speak with you. About the matter of Wesley's death. Yes.... Yes. At your convenience. No, no. Now? Are you sure? All right, I'll let her borrow my card. Yes Mother. Thank you."
He passes his hand across the card and then hands it to Whimsy.
Whimsy takes the card, her expression unreadable.
It is a formal portrait of the woman Whimsy has already met, with the insignia of House Jesby on the back.
"His name was Wesley. I'd never even heard the name until now," she says quietly. She shakes her head slightly and moves on. "Forgive my forgetfulness, but I cannot recall your mother's name and title."
"My mother's name is Claire," he replies.
"My thanks for your assistance, Edwin."
He nods.
Whimsy cuts the contact. For a moment she sits down in front of her vanity and regards herself....
"Am I strong enough to do this?"
"I must be."
She glances at the note on her dresser, which explains where she has gone and why. Elaine has the next few days off, and so it will be a bit before anyone will discover it, should things go poorly...as she planned.
Rising to her feet, she steels herself, and trumps the Edwin's mother.
The trump card animates and the woman waits for Whimsy to speak. Whimsy clears her throat and begins, her tone formal and polite, doing her high-psyche best to mask her nervousness.
"Lady Claire of Jesby. I am Duchess Dahlia of Helgram. We have met and spoken once before, some time ago in the Courts I am sure. Edwin has recommended I speak with you on an old matter of some importance. Would you be so kind as to bring me through to the Ways of Jesby that we might speak further?"
"Of course." Lady Claire holds out her hand to Whimsy.
And Whimsy steps through, her valise in her other hand.
She steps into a parlor of sorts. There is one servant present, who is preparing a tea. Claire smiles. "Do have a seat and take refreshment." And upon noticing the valise. "Do you plan to stay for awhile? Should I arrange for rooms?"
Whimsy curtseys to Lady Claire and takes a seat.
"I am not certain that will be necessary, but I did want to bring a few things in case matters required I stay longer than originally anticipated."
She sets her valise aside, and takes the cup of tea offered her by the servant. She sips it slowly.
"There is a matter of some justice that I need to address with House Jesby. I am not entirely certain to whom I should speak, whether that be the head of House...or someone else." She pauses a moment. "I contacted Edwin and he recommended I speak with you."
"As current head of house I should be able to help you, yes," Claire answers calmly.
Whimsy smiles politely. "Ahhh. I was unaware that you were head of House Jesby. Edwin did not inform me of that fact."
She looks at her hands a moment, and then lifts her chin and gazes directly at Lady Claire.
"I am here to make reparations for the death of Wesley and the subsequent atrocity subjected upon House Jesby."
She adds a bit more quietly. "I...I...thought that he was Edwin."
"I see," the Head of Hosue Jesby says as she sets her tea cup down. "I'm not sure that I find the fact that you were intent on killing one of my sons over the other any more comforting."
"That is not my intent; it would be ludicrous for me to attempt to offer comfort in regard to this," Whimsy replies. "I felt you had a right to know the truth. Regardless of how it makes me appear in your eyes, I will not shy from the fact that my atrocity was worsened by the fact that it was directed against a man who had not even so much as spoken a harsh word to me."
She continues on quickly.
"I'm not here to offer justifications for what I did...nor to lay blame upon Edwin or anyone else. There was a time when I felt quite justified for what I did. I now realize that there was no justice in it whatsoever, only mindless brutality. I don't wish to dwell on what motivated me to behave thusly...," she falters.
"There is no excuse."
"And having come to that realization, you are here to make reparations?" Claire asks.
"Indeed, I have," she replies firmly.
Claire looks merely thoughtful at first, then a smile begins to spread slowly across her face. "And said reparations are entirely up to me?"
"Not entirely, your grace," Whimsy answers. "I have come to atone for my actions, not to commit further acts of barbarism."
She frowns. "Pardon me, that was not well said."
"If you ask me to atone in some fashion that is dishonorable, or disreputable, I will refuse. If you have some vendetta in the Courts with which you see fit to involve me, I would ask that you reconsider. I am here to make good my wrongs, not to add to them. Beyond that, it is your decision, your grace."
Claire chuckles. "No, no vendettas. We are a peaceful House, after all, and I had nothing of the sort in mind. And while I might have other ideas of my own, I am a mother and mothers are often motivated by their children's needs and desires. Your attonement to House Jesby will be a simple affair. Renew your marriage vows to Edwin and give us a heir that may walk the Pattern and your past crimes against us shall be forgiven."
"More tea?"
"Yes," Whimsy answers with a slight frown. "I must admit that I had expected something along those lines, though I fail to understand why you would choose to bind your son to someone who does not love him and never will."
Before Claire can reply, she continues.
"I will do as you command, Lady Claire, but there is something you should know about my situation. There is a man who has developed an attachment to me...a man of the caliber of my father and mother...a very powerful man. Though I will do what I can to ensure that he does not interfere in my atonement, there is only so much I can do to protect your son. Given our history, this man may interpret the renewal of my vows to Edwin as something more than a reparation for past sins, and see fit to remove Edwin from the picture."
"I see. It would be most helpful to have said person's name then," Claire comments, with a slight frown.
"His name is Vincent," she says quietly. "Of course, it may be that I misjudge him. He may behave in a perfectly honorable fashion in reponse to my situation. Certainly, his past actions do not indicate a predisposition towards anything but civility, but still I worry. I am not, however, the best judge of character; I tend to perceive uncharitable motivations where they do not exist. I worry because his passions are strong...and his response to adversity is untested."
"Lady Claire, I am not saying this to find an easier penance," she adds, taking a deep breath. "I have taken one son from you; I do not wish to be responsible for another loss in your family. Regardless of who you choose, I will speak with Vincent firmly and explain to him that I choose this as a matter of honor."
"Very good. I shall speak to the Lady Ariana as well," Claire responds.
Whimsy nods.
"I will be allowed to terminate my marriage with Edwin once I have delivered you the child, correct?" she asks. With a slight smile that masks she sour taste in her mouth, she adds, "Assuming that I am inclined to do so."
"I would prefer you stay married. Accidents do happen, after all, so the more children, the better," Claire says, sipping her tea.
"Indeed, Lady Jesby, accidents do happen, but I am certain that no accident will happen when my child is given unto your care," she replies. "I will return a life for the one I have taken, and thus fulfill my obligation. I will not, however, pledge myself into life-long servitude as a brood mare for any Chaosian House. My responsibilities in Amber preclude such an option."
Whimsy sips her tea, and enjoys its bitter aftertaste.
"I have no intention of taking your child away from you, M'lady, nor would I presume to tell you how many children you should have. That matter is between you and Edwin. There is hardly cause for you to think of yourself as a 'brood mare', unless of you wish to. I will mention that divorce is very uncommon, and frowned upon in the courts. By remarrying my son, you will not only repay your debt, but restore his status," Claire says.
"I appreciate your willingness to allow me to raise my child, Lady Jesby, but I have absolutely no interest in doing so. A child should be raised in a less fractious environment than I can provide. If you do not wish the burden of a child, however, I am certain that I can make the appropriate arrangements for nannies and such," she comments.
"As you see fit. I have no need to raise the child here," Claire adds.
Whimsy pauses, as if re-considering something.
"'Restore his status' you said," she continues. "I am afraid I do not understand. Has our divorce somehow lowered his status within the Courts?"
"Indeed it has, so much so that he has removed himself to Amber to serve the Emperor quietly. A wife demanding a divorce is simply unheard of here," Claire explains.
"And are husbands allowed to divorce their wives with impunity?" Whimsy asks, her tone cool.
"That's just as rare, actually. Marriages are made for reasons, after all," Claire responds.
"And a marriage made for love has every reason to endure for all time. This is not that, however," Whimsy comments.
"Marriage for love? I'm afraid that's rather rare as well. Love is a fleeting thing, after all."
"In order to make reparations, I am to deliver you an heir who may walk the Pattern and remain joined to Edwin for the rest of my immortal existence. Pardon me, Lady Claire, but you ask a great deal...but perhaps no more than I owe to your family," Whimsy says.
"Only in that you are alive, yes," Claire responds with a tight smile.
Whimsy's face is calm and expressionless.
"Shall we have the wedding in the Courts or in Amber?" she asks. "I would prefer Amber, personally. As it will be my responsibility to arrange the wedding, I would like it to be someplace familiar."
"As long as our priest can be present, that is fine," Lady Jesby replies.
"We are agreed then," Whimsy replies. "I will return to Amber and speak with my Aunt Florimel about wedding arrangements. I will also speak with Vincent, and I would ask that you speak with Edwin to be certain he is willing to go through with this."
Claire nods.
"One last detail," Whimsy says. "If you would be so kind as to send a letter to the Emperor explaining our agreement and its purpose, then I will sign it in his presence, for which both of us will be bound to it."
"I will do that," she replies.
"Then this discussion is concluded," Whimsy says. "I cannot say it has been a pleasure, Lady Claire, but I thank you for your courtesy and your compassion, and I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to atone for my past actions against your house."
"I think we have come to a satisfactory resolution, at least in Edwin's eyes." She nods to Whimsy before Whimsy trumps out.
Whimsy uses a trump to return to Amber City.
From there she secures a carriage to take her to the castle, returns to her room, drops off her valise, and receives the note from Nicholas.
Not wishing to lose her momentum, she then immediately heads to his office to speak with him.