Niabheara blinked in surprised, leaned back to study his face? "Really?" It was hard to tell which fact was more surprising. "How is he? And why on earth would they have the scrolls in Common? I mean, I don't doubt they do if he says they do, but I should like to see them."

"He seems...well, much nicer than my first impression," Marcello replied. "Actually, i quite like him. And he said Fiona's promised a set to Goneril; it's just a question of him finding another set." He gave her a crooked smile. "And I don't think you're going to have problems with him and my sister."

"Oh re-ally?" She crooked an eyebrow at him. "What did you do to him, you terrible man?"

"What?" Marcello looked mortified. "Nothing. I had a glass of wine with him and we chatted about my sister and our families, really."

She seemed surprised. "Really? He seems so . . . chilly. And I don't like the way he hovers around the Queen, although I understand why he might." She frowned. "Did you tell him Goneril and I had a fight?"

Marcello laughed. "Goneril got to him first. And he didn't seem put out about it. He said that it sounded like you acted like a Countess and she didn't like it. I think he and the queen are extremely close," Marcello answered. "And he cares about her." he flashed her a smile. "Same reasons I hover over you."

Niabheara's nose wrinkled. "Of course I acted like a countess. How else am I supposed to act? I couldn't condone it. Your mother would ne'er forgive me."

"My mother has apparently been talking to him quite a bit," Marcello replied. "And I know. I think he agrees that you were in the right."

Niabheara looked a little embarrassed for someone who had just been vindicated. "But you said there isn't going to be a problem with this? He . . . he seems all right? I mean . . . paugh." She rolled her eyes frustrated. "I just don't want anything like what happened with Mira to happen."

"I know," Marcello replied. "None of us do. I think he genuinely likes her but realizes this can't really amount to much. And he's acting with that in mind."