They're talking about Marthe, Maître Gaultier's assistant. What's she like? Pretty?' 'She's pretty,' said the man. Philippa studied the taciturn face. 'Oh, I see,' she said. 'Mr Blyth wants her all to himself?' For a moment, she thought it hadn't worked. Then the man gave a snort. 'Mr Blyth want her? He held us up at Avignon for two days refusing to go on until she was sent back home, but Gaultier wouldn't do it, and he had to give in. Mr Blyth and Gaultier haven't spoken since. Aye,' said Jerott's man morosely. 'It's going to be a grand, sociable trip.
In this excerpt from Dorothy Dunnett's Pawn in Frankincense, Philippa questions a man about Marthe, Maître Gaultier's assistant, focusing on her appearance. The man confirms she is pretty, and Philippa interprets this as possibly indicating Mr. Blyth's interest in her, suggesting a romantic or possessive tension. However, the man's response reveals that Mr. Blyth was actually opposed to Marthe leaving, and Gaultier refused to send her away, leading to a period...
