* Fuchs watches Molly closely,  followed by a scrutiny of the way they are holding hands. Molly becomes a little tenser, though her grip remains intentional but not too tight. Morgan could easily separate their hands if he chose to. Fuchs takes and bows over her left hand, though it is slightly awkward as it is a gesture always done with the right. Concern is starting to appear in his expression
(Fuchs) I am at your service, my Lady *he briefly looks at Morgan's expression*
* @Morgan watches him calmly
(Fuchs) Molly: I am thinking of having a couple of dresses made before we leave Fischler, now that it appears we shall be detained here for several more days. I would like your wife to be the one to make them, if you think she would consider it?
* Fuchs nods, looking both surprised and proud as he releases her hand "I am sure she would be honoured, my Lady"
(Fuchs) *Molly nods, a hint of more measured formality in her.body language, tone and expression* Good. I will write a note to that effect and have it brought to you to take to her when you go home this evening *he frowns very briefly before smiling* I am looking forward to making her acquaintance as I am told that she is lovel
(Fuchs) Lovely*
* Fuchs 's expression flashes with an intense, fiery jealousy before he rapidly stares to the mid-distance. Molly nods to herself slightly.*
(Fuchs) "She is. She has always been a good and loyal wife. "
(Fuchs) **Molly glances at Morgan a moment, expression implying she found his answer puzzling and intriguing, before giving Fuchs a smile. Though it's warm, it's less so than she normally would.* That is praise we women dearly like to hear, Colonel. *He nods, then looks to Morgan, clearly trying to change the subject*
(Fuchs) Did you see the jeweller about the money? *He hesitates* We can discuss it when it is convenient, if you prefer.
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) I did. Most interesting, I have to say
* Fuchs nods, interested. Molly watches them, a hint of wariness
(Fuchs) I will be around all afternoon... *He watches them both, a little unsure how excluded from the investigation Morgan intends her to be kept*
(@Morgan) I'll come find you after we've seen Dreschler
* Fuchs inclines his head to Morgan. He holds out his left hand to take Molly's to bow over, which would usually make the woman have to give her right hand. The nonchalance with which He does it is fake, and he's more watchful than he's trying to appear*
(Fuchs) I'll be in the guardroom
(Fuchs) **Molly hesitates slightly. Her grip tightens on Morgan's hand a little. She gives Fuchs her left, even though it is technically incorrect.  He bows over it appropriately, with a fraction of a smile.  He then releases it*
* Fuchs watches Morgan as Fuchs leaves.
(Fuchs) I do not think I have ever seen such an intensely jealous look on a man's face before as he had when I said I'd been told she was lovely.
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) see what I mean?
* Fuchs nods thoughtfully
** You're now known as Molly
(Molly) It is very odd. It was not the sort of comment or action that would usually inspire jealousy
* Molly slightly loosens her grip on his hand, but doesn't let go
(@Morgan) Thats what makes their... distance even stranger
(Molly) Perhaps he has a naturally strong jealous streak? Some men have, I am told *she almost smiles but manages to contain it*
* @Morgan shrugs
(@Morgan) maybe
(Molly) And how he said she had always been a good and loyal wife... that was odd too
(@Morgan) very strange wording
(Molly) Oh intensely strange. It's not what you'd say is it? The normal response would be about her as a woman, not her achievements as a spouse.
(Molly) It'd be "She's very kind" or "yes, she's beautiful" *her frown ends almost as soon as it begins, and she smiles* Praising her loyalty seems very odd.
* @Morgan nods
(Molly) Does she talk about him so oddly?
(@Morgan) Not really, though we didn't really talk much about him... 
* Molly tilts her head
(Molly) Perhaps tomorrow I will see if I can steer her onto the subject...
(@Morgan) if you wish
(Molly) You would prefer I do not?
* @Morgan shrugs
(@Morgan) I'm not fussed, though if it helps explain things I'm not likely to object
(Molly) Unless you prefer to speak to her about it yourself?
* @Morgan shakes his head
(@Morgan) I doubt it'd get me any answers
(Molly) Not everyone is as shockingly bad at keeping their secrets from you as I!
(@Morgan) Its not the sort of thing most women would want to talk to a noble man about
(Molly) Matters of the heart, or the intimacies of their marriages?
(@Morgan) either
* Molly sighs slightly
(Molly) I doubt most common women would speak of such to a veisgrafin either
(@Morgan) we'll see won't we
(Molly) Indeed we will.
* Molly watches as Katherine approaches, one of the maids who helped Morgan . She curtsies, but seems to mostly be admiring Molly's dress, and it makes him think of the wistful way the servant women talked about never being able to own dresses as fine as hers.
(Molly) K: Good afternoon, my Lord, my Lady
* Molly watches the girl with a smile, inclining her head briefly  before looking to Morgan
* @Morgan inclines his head 
(@Morgan) Katherine
(Molly) K: Anything I can get for you, my Lord?
(@Morgan) Could you get some tea sent to wherever we're meeting with our solicitor? 
(Molly) K: *she nods* Yes, my Lord. *she curtsies again, once more looking slightly wistfully at Molly's dress. Then she disappears towards the kitchen. Molly smiles at Morgan*
(Molly) Befriending the maids, liebes herz?
(@Morgan) always
(@Morgan) If you need to know what goes on in any household, the serving staff are the ones to ask
* Molly bites her lip, eyes sparkling
(Molly) **she speaks quietly** Horrendous gossips are household staff. Why I once knew a maid who delighted in gossiping dawn til late at night with the house's master-at-arms...
* @Morgan nods solemnly
(@Morgan) terrible behaviour
* Molly opens her mouth to say something, then blushes and closes it again.
* Molly inhales slowly, choosing a more appropriate response
(Molly) Did you discover any interesting gossip here?
(@Morgan) Naturally. They're a good group of people
* Molly looks excited, brows rising
(Molly) Is it scandalous?
(@Morgan) oh absolutely
* Molly bites her lip to prevent her squeal of delight
(Molly) That's my favourite sort of gossip!
* Molly squeezes his hand a little with a playful eye roll
(Molly) It would probably be awfully frowned upon to duck into a quiet little room on the way to our appointment, wouldn't it?
(@Morgan) absolutely
(Molly) What a pity!
(Molly) But later, liebling? *she smiles*
* @Morgan nods
* Molly looks at him a moment before looking in the direction of the library
(Molly) **A minute later they arrive. Dreschler rises, looking a little surprised* Good afternoon, my Lord, I was not expecting you
* @Morgan nods to Dreschler
(@Morgan) well, given the.... occurrences, I thought it best to accompany Molly
(Molly) **He nods** Yes, things have been very dangerous in Fischler this week. Still, at least the killer of the guards is under arrest now.
* @Morgan nods
* Molly lets go of Morgan's hand, and takes a seat cross from Dreschler.  There is a tap at the door and Katherine brings in the tea and serves it before leaving them alone. Molly glances around the room. Dreschler gets two folders open in front of him.
(Molly) D: Have you discussed the situation with the wills? *He looks at Morgan*
* @Morgan nods briefly
(Molly) D: I can have the wills rewritten for signing tomorrow, my Lord
* @Morgan picks up his tea, leaning back in his seat
(Molly) D: *He sits still, waiting for Morgan's instructions *
(@Morgan) Since you were not expecting me, do feel free to deal with my wife while I drink my tea
* Molly looks at him momentarily with a smile that conveys both affection and gratitude
(Molly) D: Of course. My Lady?
* Molly neatly lays out their exact requirements, managing not to sound as sore as she feels about having to relinquish her plans for raising Varick alone on Innesbruck.  Dreschler makes notes, nodding along.
(Molly) D: Very good. *He looks to Morgan* You are happy with that?
(@Morgan) Would you be sending me a note to ask that were I not here?
(Molly) D: Of course
(@Morgan) Then by all means... its a suitable plan
* Molly sips her tea  watching them.
(Molly) D: Good. *He inserts the notes into the thinner folder* The next matter is far more sensitive.
(Molly) D: *He sips his tea, once more addressing Morgan primarily* We need to discuss Grafin Seeufer
(Molly) D: I am in a position of conflict. I am his  Grace's solicitor, and by extension the Konigsreich's solicitor.  I am also your solicitor, your father's solicitor,  and also, due to Schulzs death, Varick's solicitor. This means I should relinquish some of these duties to other solicitors, should any of those parties come into conflict with the Konigsreich.
** You're now known as Dreschler
* Dreschler looks at Morgan as if seeking confirmation of understand, or any questions
(@Morgan) I don't see there is any conflict
(Dreschler) D: That depends on how your father will react to his Grace's choice to execute her for her crimes
(@Morgan) Leave my father to me
(Dreschler) *Molly watches Morgan with interest, but says nothing*
(Dreschler) D: You do not think he will object to the choice that has been made?
(@Morgan) He'll object, I think. The law is the law...
(Dreschler) D: **Morgan sees a quick flash of disgust that becomes a light frown* It is... legally speaking.
* @Morgan sips his tea
(Dreschler) *Molly leans in a little, interest clearly piqued*
(Dreschler) D: Your father is a man of fairness...
(@Morgan) I don't see how his being a man of fairness has any sway on the Eisenfursts choice
(Dreschler) D: The laws relating to the murder of one's spouse are thought of in some circles as unfair.
(@Morgan) I've no issue with the final outcome of the law. Its the method I object to
(Dreschler) D: The punishment for Petty Treason being burning at the stake for a woman who kills her husband, but hanging for a man who kills his wife... Eisenfurstin Posen abolished this disparity three years ago, and many forward-thinking lawyers and judges would like to see the same done inn the other six Konigsreichs
(Dreschler) *Molly sips her tea, quietly watching them*
(@Morgan) I see
(Dreschler) I, and a few close friends, have been working for this goal in our Konigsreich.  However, this current case has complicated matters.
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) to change it now would imply favouritism
(Dreschler) *he nods* His Grace has the evidence to confirm Athos De La Fere was paid by Alarice to startle his mount with the aim of killing him. There's her letter to him, and his signed testimony, as well as you, I and he as witnesses should your father push for any form of trial
* @Morgan tilts his head
(Dreschler) *Molly frowns briefly*
(@Morgan) She had him killed... she didn't kill him...
(Dreschler) D: *He sighs* There is just enough evidence at present that it should be treated as murder. But it is nowhere near as solid as I would like
(@Morgan) murder by proxy
(Dreschler) Murder by proxy, providing there is strong evidence of admission to the crime, is murder here. Some.other Konigsreichs differ. What is ideally needed is an Eisen-wide codification of criminal law. But I digress. This is why your father's reaction could be of an issue. It is uncommon, as it would set the family at odds with the decision of the Eisenfurst, but has happened where the accuseds family have demanded a trial by jury
(@Morgan) I don't think its a trial we would want.... just a different method of execution
(Dreschler) **Molly frowns deeply, looking unsure* Surely a trial by jury is risky, given her... skills of persuasion? *she looks to Morgan *
* @Morgan nods
(Dreschler) D: *he watches them interact before looking solemnly at Morgan* Exactly what is your ideal solution to this problem?
(Dreschler) **Morgan sees a flick of anger and distaste in Molly's mirco expressions**
(@Morgan) Punishment other than burning
(Dreschler) D: But still execution?
(Dreschler) **Molly inhales deeply before sipping her tea**
(@Morgan) That is the same punishment regardless of who murdered whom...
(Dreschler) D: *He nods* I am not questioning that, my Lord, I was merely pondering the options.
(@Morgan) the end result isn't my objection
(Dreschler) D: *He looks thoughtful* There is a possible route to hanging, or even beheading...
* Dreschler looks at the table a moment, not speaking
* @Morgan waits quietly, sipping his tea
(Dreschler) ((Ffs.  Molly, not dreschler)
(Dreschler) D: It would depend on how quiet the charge of murder has been kept, and how willing Molly is to make trouble *He smiles slightly*
(Dreschler) **Her eyes rise quickly, surprised. She looks to Morgan with concern*
(@Morgan) What did you have in mind?
(Dreschler) Attempted murder of a Veisgraffin in a hanging offence, often delivered as beheading when the perpetrator is a noble woman also.
(Dreschler) **Molly sits very still,  her face carefully neutral. She watches for signs of Morgan's reactions*
(@Morgan) So...
(Dreschler) So if Molly was to push for her crime to be given priority, as she is still alive and will benefit far more from the justice than Karsten would, his Grace would need to consider having Alarice executed in our preferred manner.
* @Morgan nods slowly
(@Morgan) I see
(Dreschler) It is possible that you as her husband could bring some charge against Alarice, but it would be  Attempta Deprivus Ex Uxor Proportè, which is a crime only incurring flogging
* @Morgan shakes his head
(@Morgan) That charge is both unacceptable in terms of punishment and offensive
(Dreschler) D: *He frowns* It is a very old statute. Many wives bring significant financial value to a match, and compensation both monetarily and in justice is a prized asset to most noble husband's in these situations. You could pursue such a charge alongside Molly's,  of course.
(@Morgan) No.
(Dreschler) *Molly stands up, pushing her chair back in a way that makes it scrape the floor. Her expression is tight, cool.* You will both excuse me. *She doesn't even stop to curtsey before walking out of the library*