Eventually, Martel decides he's left this long enough - too long, actually, but there hasn't been a good time. And if he's honest, there'll never be a good time. There wasn't a good time for him, either, but at least he knew halfway what he was looking for.

After dinner, he retreats to his study - he's thinking of moving it into one of the towers, where he'd have more space - and sends one of the maids (Elaia?) to fetch Eirene to speak with him.