Page 2 of Holiday Cheese and Capers
“I do.” Zephyr shook his head. “But at our age, and at the holidays… I’d just hoped she’d have a change of heart.”
“She’d need more than that to take two weeks off from her work with The Society, I’m afraid.” Bayard sighed and Minerva noted the wistful, faraway look in his eyes.
“I must admit, I’m disappointed not to get to meet her,” Minerva said gently. “I was looking forward to seeing what Zippy calls ‘the old gang’ back together again.”
“Quack,” the duck added sympathetically, as if in agreement.
“Ah! I almost forgot to introduce you to my familiar!” Bayard exclaimed. “This is Fred.” He gestured to his companion. “He’s also my research assistant, closest confidant, and occasional voice of reason. He’s a Call Duck.”
Fred, a perfectly groomed petite duck with pristine white feathers and bright orange feet, gave Minerva an appraising look, then nodded at her as if she’d passed some test.
“He’s magnificent,” Minerva said sincerely.
“Uh… Mr. Fontaine? Sorry to interrupt but I think these sign-up sheets are supposed to be alphabetical, but someone organized them by cabin number instead, and now I can’t find the Andersons, and also should the cheese samples be refrigerated? They’re looking a bit warm, and—oh!”
A young man with tousled brown hair and an abundance of nervous energy had appeared at Bayard’s elbow, clutching a clipboard and looking thoroughly overwhelmed. He couldn’t have been more than twenty-five, with the eager-puppy dog quality of someone desperate to be helpful but unsure how.
“Jasper, don’t forget to breathe,” Bayard said kindly. “The Andersons are in cabin B-7, the sheets are fine as they are, and the cheese is meant to be served at room temperature.”
“Right. Yes. Of course. Room temperature. For the... the flavor profiles.” Jasper pushed his glasses up his nose. “I knew that. I definitely knew that.”
“Jasper is studying Magical Hospitality in Edinburgh,” Bayard explained to Zephyr and Minerva. “He’s been invaluable in helping me prepare for this lecture series. He’s also working as an intern here on the ship during his school break.”
“Is this your first cruise, then?” Zephyr asked the young man.
“First cruise, first real hospitality job, first time working with a celebrity guest lecturer,” Jasper said, his words tumbling out. “Not that you’re a celebrity, Mr. Fontaine—I mean, you are! In polymath circles. Which are the best circles. The most important circles, when you think about?—”
“Excuse me?” a clear, professional voice interrupted. “I’m Wren Connelly, travel blogger forEnchanted Journeys. I was hoping to meet Bayard Fontaine? I’m working on an article about the Magical Cheese and Waterways tour.”
Minerva turned to see a striking young woman in her mid-twenties, long, auburn hair in a practical braid. She carried a small, lightweight leather satchel and a notebook. She had the crisp, efficient air of someone who took her work seriously.
Jasper’s mouth fell open. His clipboard tilted to a dangerous angle and the pen rolled right off it. He lunged to retrieve it before it rolled away.
“Yes! Right! You’re on the list!” he said breathlessly, a little too loudly. “Wren Connelly. Travel blogger. VIP.Very important.We’re so honored. Not that other guests aren’t important! Everyone’s important. But reviewing us is... you’re reviewing us. The tour. With words. That people read.”
Wren’s lips twitched with amusement. “That is generally how reviews work, yes.”
“I’ll just—let me find your—” Jasper frantically shuffled papers, dropping several. “Your cabin assignment is—Fred, could you not?—”
The duck had waddled over to Wren and was now sitting on her foot, looking up at her with adoring eyes.
“Quack,” Fred said admiringly. For such a limited vocabulary, the small duck was remarkably expressive.
“Well, hello there, handsome,” Wren said, her professional demeanor softening as she crouched down. “Aren’t you a charmer?”
Fred preened, fluffing his feathers.
“Oh, my. He really likes you,” Bayard observed. “And Fred is an excellent judge of character.”
“I’m a sucker for familiars,” Wren admitted, gently stroking Fred’s head. “I have a cat at home—just an ordinary one, though. He hates traveling, unfortunately. I miss him already.”
“CABIN B-14!” Jasper announced triumphantly, holding up a paper like he’d discovered gold. “You’re in cabin B-14. Which is a very good cabin. Probably. I mean, they’re all good cabins. But yours is... it has a window.”
“Most cabins do,” Wren said gently and stood up. Fred promptly sat back down on her foot, in a bid for her attention.
Bayard caught Minerva’s eye, and she could see him trying not to laugh.
“Jasper,” Bayard said kindly, “why don’t you take Fred for a little walk around the deck? I think he needs to stretch his legs before the welcome reception. His harness is in my bag.” Bayard pointed to a leather backpack beneath the table.
