Dance of Discord 7: An Assumption

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, May 31, 2025

La plus jolie femme de Paris James Tissot 1884 Wikimedia
La plus jolie femme de Paris, James Tissot 1884, Wikimedia

 Welcome back to our new serial story, The Dance of Discord.  It’s hard to believe we’re already up to episode-7.  Here is a link to the previous episode, which contains all the past links, plus a character reference list: Click here.   

The random reader things for this installment are from blogger, Rebecca Budd. Creatively, all of her things were adjectives.  Normally that would have made it too easy for me, but today I welcomed it.  I’m actually working on two music projects right now.  So an easier rout to this installment was a relief.  It’s also a short episode.   Anyhow, Rebecca’s things are vibrant, bustling, and aromatic.

Now to the episode.

Dance of Discord

7: An Assumption

Mansion people outside bright mauve sky Teagan via Night Cafe

The subtle interactions between the mysterious, amber-eyed Miss Jouret and the lawyer, Mr. Adler made me uneasy.  Was Milo Quick aware that what he didn’t know might cause him harm?  Particularly if an adversary mistakenly thought my young companion had discovered their secrets?

Milo Quick knows how to land on his feet, I told myself, resolving not to worry about him, and watched as he selected bowls of cold refreshing treats for himself and the Colombian ambassador’s daughter.

“Dutchess, there isn’t any more shrimp cocktail on this table,” he remarked to me, but his covert gaze went to Zola Jouret.  “Would you care for a Jel-O instead?” he added with a smirk.  “Sakes alive, they’re out of Jell-O too.”

I shot him an evil look.  The man knew very well how much I liked shrimp.  Indignant, I sashayed away.  Sure that no one noticed my intention, I silently made my way out of the room, through the conservatory, and outside.

Vibrant shades of mauvine stretched and glided across the sky.  It echoed the color of the remaining cherry blossoms.  It was a clear evening which I knew would hold the night at bay awhile longer.  However, there were enough shadows to offer concealment.  I hurried around the extended shape of the conservatory and then along the side of the mansion.  All the while, my ears were pricked, listening for the right voices.

There she is, I thought and stopped at an open window where I could listen to the amber-eyed Belgian and Adam Adler.

Young woman fan and man, by Teagan via Night Cafe

“Quelle est votre opinion?  Say you yes, or no?” Miss Jouret asked in a low voice.

“Honestly, I just can’t say,” was the reply.

“Mr. Quick understood the code of my fan.  I’m almost certain,” she explained hastily.  “He’s sure to decipher it.”

Gathering up the train of her glittering black skirts over one arm, Miss Jouret glided away.  Adam Adler rushed to catch up with her.  Together they danced through the crowd to the strains of a Strauss waltz.  I darted to the nearby French doors and wove my way through the bustling partygoers, not letting the pair out of my sight.

As they danced, Zola Jouret gave the lawyer a significant look.  He returned her gaze expectantly, his eyebrows raised.

“In a moment I’m going to faint,” she told Mr. Adler in a matter-of-fact voice.  “Please tell them to take me to the ladies’ dressing-room.”

“Huh?  Oh yes, I understand,” Adler replied quietly.

♣ ♣ ♣

1900s man reclines on velvet settee Teagan via Night Cafe

Knowing that Miss Jouret had some kind of deception in mind, I didn’t wait to see whatever show she provided.  I had no patience for such silliness.  Instead, I went in search of Milo Quick.  I found him in a quiet nook of the smoking room.  After a moment, his Secret Service bureau chief, Stuart Drummond, joined him.

The chief’s thick white moustache twitched as he poured himself a serving of aromatic cognac.  I scented complex notes of sandalwood and eucalyptus.  He held out the glass toward me to offer it.  I drew back to indicate that I declined.  Then he sat down in a wingback chair.  Milo raised his hand.  One of the servants, who had been brought in for the occasion of the ball, stood nearby.  He approached them.

“Bring us some lemon ice,” Milo directed, and the servant bowed and disappeared.  “That should keep him for a while,” Milo added, turning toward the chief, then he hastily scribbled something on a sheet of paper.

“Mr. Drummond, I intercepted this Morse code message.  But it seems to be unintelligible,” Milo explained.  “Is it a variant that you’re familiar with?  There’s so much locked away in that steel-trap mind of yours.  It’s as if your mind takes a photograph of everything you see.  One day they’ll have a word for that.”

Stuart Drummond read the code.  His moustache twitched and then began to vibrate.  I moved closer.  My fascination with his whiskers had not diminished.

“Mr. Quick, I’m surprised at you,” Drummond muttered glibly.  “I realize that you’re not exactly a rake, but I would have thought you would have gone to more trouble to learn the more subtle ways of the ladies,” he added, eliciting a put-upon noise from his young operative.

“Milo, you made an assumption.  You know how dangerous assumptions are.  This is not exactly a version of Morse.  No, what we have here is a version of fanology.  It’s an advanced letter-by-letter breakdown applied to the language of fans.”

“Land sakes, Chief,” Milo muttered.  “That part of fanology is obscure.  It’s hardly something every woman would know…  Although I suppose that’s the point, isn’t it?  Once again, I bow to your infallible memory.  What does it say?”

“Come to me when Q goes,” Drummond read the translation and Milo gave a harrumph.

With no word of explanation, the young operative rose and went out.  He paused at the door to take the ice from the servant who had just returned.

♣ ♣ ♣

End Episode 7

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 Well, not Morse code after all.  At least we learned that we were mistaken, and that’s something we didn’t realize.  It also seems pretty obvious that the American lawyer is involved in whatever Zola Jouret is doing. Then again, maybe they’re both up to their own individual shenanigans, but saw a purpose for combining forces.  Or maybe…

 I’ve also been leaving little clues relating to one character in every episode.  When that twist is revealed, don’t say I didn’t warn you!  😀  Stay tuned for the next installment of Dance of Discord.

♣ ♣ ♣

As a reminder:  Posts at this blog are not forums for critique or criticism. I freely admit to being a blog-tater.  This serial is extremely time consuming.  The reason why I stopped writing serials a few years ago is because some comments became contentious and otherwise difficult.  

Friendly comments are welcome.  Hugs!

♣ ♣ ♣

Of course, here’s the obligatory shameless self-promotion.

A Peril in the Vines

Universal Purchase Links

A Peril in the Vines

e-book:  relinks.me/B0DS4G7RSD

Paperback:  relinks.me/B0DS69GJDV

A Medium’s Peril full series link: relinks.me/B0CG2SXX24

♣ ♣ ♣

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2025 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.

 

53 thoughts on “Dance of Discord 7: An Assumption”

  1. Pingback: Dance of Discord 8: A Crack – Teagan's Books

    1. Hi, Teri. I probably should have used the word “hint” instead of clues… Even when that twist lands, I’m not certain my hints will have been clear — that will depend on the individual reader for sure. Thanks for following along. Hugs from the Scoobies and me to you and Bond.

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  5. I’m going along with the intrigue, and I won’t know if I picked up on the clues until “it” all happens, and they come into play. Hmm, you’ve got me quite piqued pink now, Teagan!

    Love the episode and HUGS all around to you and the Scoobies! Misha sends 3 meows.

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    1. I really should use the word “hint” instead of clue… Anyhow, thanks for following along, Resa.
      LOL, I take it that Misha tends to meow in threes. Daphne still doesn’t meow — just trills, squeaks, and chirps. Velma finally started meowing, but it’s high-pitched like a kitten. Anyhow, big hugs back to you and Misha.

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      1. Interesting about the meowing. trills, squeaks, and chirps … My Johnny did that for years. Then when he found his meow, It was insane…. all night long!

        Misha is a MEOWER!!! She is big, and looks like a Russian Blue. I looked them up, and they are very vocal, and bossy. YAY!!!!!!

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        1. I didn’t know that about Russian Blues. I do know from experience that Siamese cats can be extremely vocal. I used to call Crystal the “little bitty girl with a big meow.” When she wouldn’t stop, I would sing those words to the tune of Wake Me Up Before You GoGo. We had lots of songs… I’m so happy that Misha has finally adjusted. Hugs again.

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          1. Yes, exactly! I looked her up on line after saying to Norman, she’s like a Siamese cat, so vocal.
            She still has a way to go, but she’s living a good life, and we are happy.
            Misha gets a bit closer to us every day, but is still quite skittish. I love her lots! Hugs never ending!

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  7. I am hopeless Teagan in keeping abreast of your wonderful saga Episodes my friend… I miss many… But your wonderful writing skills and story telling, and brilliant imagination of webs of intrigue are always wound beautiful into your scripts… Know I send you much love my friend, and it is always a delight to come and read an episode, and see the delightful images created.. Sending lots of love and well wishes Teagan xx ❤

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  8. Teagan, thank you so much for using the words I shared—vibrant, bustling, and aromatic. You wove them into the story so seamlessly and beautifully! “Vibrant shades of mauvine stretched and gilded across the sky”—what a stunning visual. “A serving of aromatic cognac” was so perfectly placed, and I loved “wove my way through the bustling partygoers”—such a vivid scene. Your descriptions are brilliant – I felt that I was in the scene.

    Your stories are always uplifting, full of excitement and intrigue. They truly are page-turners, and I look forward to every new post you write. Thank you for continuing to share your imagination and talent with us!

    Sending many hugs on speedy wings to you and the Scoobies. Can hardly wait for the next installment.

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    1. Thanks for that great feedback, Robbie. This is only the second time I’ve used an existing outline for a 3-things serial. I feel like I’m only plodding through that outline, so your comment is reassuring.
      Sorry, Daphne is demanding to walk on the computer. Hugs!

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  10. I am 100% caught up in this story, Teagan. I’m probably missing some clues, but I trust you know where we’re going (or at least that you’ll decipher the code before I will). I love your characters, and I’m enjoying the party vicariously.

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    1. Haha! Me, know where one of these serials is going? Actually this time started as a rewrite, but it’s already way “off script.” Thanks for your kind words, Dan. Velma says “Good night.” She’s trying to take over the keyboard. Hugs.

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  11. I liked the idea of the Duchess eavesdropping on Zola and Adam. Their stry will continue I’m sure. Milo’s Chief has become quite a character. Quite erudite to know the language of fans. Well done, Teagan.

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    1. John, I have a feeling that Zola has a way of pulling others into whatever she might be up to, but not sure how much of a part Adam has to play. 😉 I’m glad Chief Drummond has a friend in you. I learned that they didn’t have the term “eidetic memory” until several years after the (general) timeframe of this story. And “photographic memory” wasn’t a term until the 1970s. So, your use of “erudite” is a good description. Thanks for following along. Hugs.

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Tim. I’m glad you didn’t assume.
      My reference for that paragraph is actually a system of communication developed in the 1790s by Charles Badini’ “Fanology or Ladies Conversation Fan.” The letters of the alphabet were divided into five groups of five, for some reason J was omitted, and each group was assigned a particular hand position. I took liberties with that book and made it a variant for this story that would rely less on hand position and more on taps.

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    1. The Dutchess seemed to have lost interest in Zola, once she knew where she would be. Perhaps that personality trait is a clue? Or maybe a thread I should have followed instead of Milo…

      Seriously though, it does get difficult to have the Dutchess everywhere. LOL. I don’t want this to turn into another year-long serial, or even 6 months… It’s hard to choose what details to describe and which to skip. I could go into a lot more if it were a book. Anyhow, your comment meant a lot to me, Noelle. Thanks very much. Hugs.

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  17. I love fans although I’ve never learned their language. Stuart Drummond is a fantastic character and I’m wondering about his past as well. How many stories he must have to tell! Today’s episode raised the intrigue even more, and the images were fabulous. Thanks, Teagan, and good luck with all your projects. Big hugs and love to the Scoobies! ♥

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    1. Thanks very much, Fraggle. I hope all is well with you and yours. I know you have a lot going on.

      I guess I’m being wicked, talking about clues. The twist is not the usual kind. It’s a twist, but not necessarily a plot twist. Basically I’m letting readers know that, when we get there, the twist truly didn’t come out of nowhere. Big hugs.

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  20. Pingback: Roberta Writes – Thursday Doors, last challenge entries #poetry #photography #ThursdayDoors

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