Jonathan was pleased as he finished the spoken code. “That is the truth.” He would have hated to have had to postpone the meeting if Jezebel had made an outward sign of recognition of the code, or had forgotten it altogether. This was one of the first tests for those newly initiated into the Order, and one that many people failed on the first try. It was imperative for the secrecy of the society that outside of sanctioned activities, its members did not display any recognition of each other, or their codes. The servant girl who had showed him in closed the door behind her, and Jonathan relaxed. She was a beautiful woman, and that made him nervous.
Jezebel was watching him expectantly now that she recognized him as a member of the Order, so he got right to the point. “As I told your maid, I am a friend of a friend, whose identity I will leave to you to infer for yourself. Suffice to say, we would like to invite you to join us in a very special mission.” By becoming a member of the Order, Jezebel had agreed to take on any assignment that they wanted to give her; Jonathan made sure that she caught this nuance of this ‘invitation’ by his tone. “Details will be sent to you shortly, and I will be in contact with you for you to report your findings. We shall have to arrange a reason for my frequent visits so that no suspicions are raised. Though I come and go through court, none will recognize me, so other than explaining to your ‘friends’,” he said the word with a silent snicker to himself, “you needn’t concern yourself. Next time I come, I will expect you to have this done.”
Jezebel's lips tightened and Jonathan could tell that she was not used to taking orders, and she was not at all enjoying it. He smiled to himself. She'll have to get used to it. She was useful to Master for sure, but not so important that if she forgot who was in charge that she would be above reprimand. She surprised him by admirably holding her tongue, though she did answer through clenched teeth.
“I'll make sure that it is.”
Jonathan rose abruptly and gave her a half-bow, “Then I will take my leave of you. I can find my way out.”
He showed himself out of the library, and hurried past the girl who was busy cleaning the hallway, careful not to meet her eyes. He smiled to himself once he had reached the safety of his carriage. He had startled Jezebel by his swift relay of information and unexpected departure before she had been able to ask any questions. She needed to learn that questions were not something that was permitted in the Order, only obedience of commands. Master may think she was useful, but Jonathan had no intention of treating her with any undue respect because of it. He did not like the woman and planned to make that fact known. Master wouldn't care as long as he continued to gather the information that was required of him.
He had now fulfilled the first part of his plan by introducing himself to Jezebel as her contact within the society. Jezebel would soon realize that he was the only contact, and if she wanted to remain an active member, she would have to learn to deal with him. The instructions he was sending her were worded in such a way which implied, perhaps not so subtly, that it was actually Devon who was worth something and that she was not. Jonathan hoped that she would pick up on it.
He had arranged another little message for her as well and had no doubt that this one would hit home with her.