Marco Domici: Quincy has a new role

"Hello, m'lady." Quincy formally took the proffered hand and bowed to it, as required. Her hand remained in his.

"It is good to see a Knight of the Confederation so genteel, Q. How have you been?" Susan Rialdon let her hand remain in Quincy's.

"It is rare that a Knight of the Confederation gets to have a quiet word with a Baroness."

She smiled, and finally removed her hand. Her eyes remained on Quincy's as she spoke over her shoulder. "Ghuives, please close the door as you leave. Force Commander Cochran and I must discuss matters of state."

The servant nodded knowingly and ensured the latch made a solid sound as it caught in the antique oak.

"I did not want to correct you in front of your servant, my love, but my rank is but a captain. For the moment." Quincy stepped closer and the baroness did not move away. He remembered the smell of her hair and enjoyed it again.

"That would be a good, thing, Force Commander, since you would have been wrong." She smiled at him. "You have not seen the approvals my cousin has sent, I suppose? He needs a military man on his staff, I have heard. One who truly understands how things work."

"I am still attached to the brigade, Susan." Quincy lifted her hand again and gently kissed it. "Unless your cousin asks that I retire?"

"No, not yet." She lifted her hand a little and one finger stroked his chin. "Not yet. But certainly he has taken an interest in someone with such a commanding record! I have told him about your bravery defending Steel against incredible odds." She looked at him. "What? Was that wrong of me, Q?"

"No, my love." Quincy shook his head. "It is as you say. Just another medal, really. All in a days work."

"And modest, too." She laughed. "Seldom does one find so many wonderful traits in a single man."