"Honestly, you have not been a topic of that many discussions" Renaud remarked dryly. "I suspect that she had more pleasant things to talk about than her ex-husband." But he made a note to ask her. If Romain truly had something that might be a cure, chances are he would need it sooner or later.

Right now he cursed the fact that he couldn't use the might of the navy and simply detain the man and take the cure. That would have been so much easier, and if he would disappear afterwards, who would care? He was a dead man walking anyway.

The Admiral gave Renaud an amused look. "My dear Grand Commandeur," he replied. "Are you suggesting that I'm unpleasant?"

"Oh, far from it, only that Iolanthe knows that the best start of a new marriage is not discussing the old one in too much detail. As far from that unfortunate detail of going around and shooting your grandchildren, you seem like a perfect gentleman." Renaud lowered his head slightly in a mock bow.

"I'm sure I would say the same, except that you don't have any grandchildren, do you?" the Admiral asked politely.

Renaud shook his head. "Not that I am aware of. The navy was always my family." He had never had the urge to raise one on his own, which was why being under investigation like this smarted so much. He had given his life to the Empire, only to have it rejected.

"Wonderful," answered the admiral. "Lots of fat, pompous uncles and sex-crazed nephews. I'm jealous of your family already," he teased. "So," he added, looking around. "Does the Missus have you on a short leash?"

"I was not aware that there needed to be any leashes involved. Perhaps we have yet to come to that stage in our arrangement." Renaud couldn't help but smile a little. "She is a rather remarkable woman after all." He had not planned for it, the marriage had been as much for conveniences sake as anything, but he had found more than he had bargained for.

"Remarkable?" The Admiral asked. "You think she's remarkable and you haven't reached the bit with the leashes?"

"To be fair, my health was not the best until recently" Renaud replied with the faintest of smiles. "I suppose she was afraid to have me die on her as well. Luckily, that has for the moment changed."

The Admiral gave the other man a mischievous look. "She likes being spanked," he advised. "Try it. So, what I was going to ask, is if you're not on a very short leash, I'll most likely be heading out again soon, but you can come to visit me at my inn for the time being, if you like," he offered. "Sign of the three acorns."