Nickoladze nodded slowly. "Tomorrow morning I would be sure to ask around, unless you have some one to recommend?" He asked lightly.
Antony smiled at Lyra and waved a little before sipping his wine some more. His cheeks were all ready getting rosey, and Nickoladze noticed this, putting a gentle hand over his cup wordlessly while talking, signally he couldn't have more until dinner came.

The earl thought for a moment. "I will have Lain ask her brother for you," he said. "He knows most of the town."
Lyra smiled a bit wider at the boy and brushed her fingers off over her small plate. The maid then brought out the main course for them, setting it out. Trevisan did the dishing himself.

Nickoladze smiled, releasing his hand to eat. He waited for Lyra to take her first bite politely before starting his on his own. It was roast with gravy, mixed greens including green beans, peas, and asperagus, and mashpotatos with spice.
And like every boy his age, Antony dove into the meat and gravy, ignoring the greens completely.
Nickoladze took a bite of his meat and smiled. "Very tender, excellent."

Trevisan smiled a bit and nodded. "Was this one Lain or you, Lyra?" he asked, finally addressing his daughter.
"Guess," was her response, slowly cutting a few slices of her meat with a small smile.
The earl smiled wider at that. He took another bite. "Lain."
Lyra glanced at him with a mischievous smile.
The earl chuckled. "Well, daughter, you are getting much too good in the kitchen."

Nickoladze murmured in delight. "If this is your doing, Lady Trevisan, then I am impressed! I might just have to marry you myself just to put you in my kitchen." He chuckled, joking of course and making it obvious that he was with a sideways glance to the Earl.

The earl laughed a bit, glancing at him, and then his daughter, as if half considering the option.
Lyra though, quickly dropped her gaze. "Thank you, your grace," she murmured. But she didn't really find the joke very funny.

Nickoladze sensed that that joke, although funny to both the Earl and himself had been inappropriate, at least in the presense of the Lady. He wiped his mouth wwith a napkin and smiled. "Of course, a woman's place does not always belong solely in the kitchen." He corrected easily. "My late wife was actually a carpenter. Do you believe it? She was very talented, and insisted that it was an art not a craft. I was hesistant, but, what she said was very true I came to find out."
He hoped that digression was enough to return things to their normal pace. "Of course, she was also a very good cook."
Antony nodded in response, focusing on his meal and enjoying his wine. He was all ready showing tall tell signs of getting a bit sleepy from the alcohol.

The earl smiled and nodded. "That's very interesting," he said smoothly. Lyra stayed quiet though, concentrating on eating.
After a little while, Lain brought out the cake Antony had helped frost. She had touched it up a little bit, but the kid had actually done a pretty decent job.

Nickoladze leaned back and put a hand on his thin stomach. "I'm not sure if I could have anymore, My Grace." He smiled a little, looking to the cake.
"But you have to. I frosting-ed it." Antony said.
"Did you now? Well in that case, I might be able to find some room." He chuckled. He looked to Antony and took away his wine though before he could finish it.
"I do not mean to be a bother but do you have some milk for my boy perchance?"

Lain nodded quickly and slipped back to the kitchen, returning with a glass. She took the wine glass off the table for him as well.
The earl looked to the cake and dished up the already sliced pieces, passing a plate to everyone. "And this, Lyra?" he asked lightly.
"Lain did the baking tonight," she answered obediently.

"And I frosting-ed it." Antony added again, just in case no one heard the first time.
"You helped frosting it." Nickoladze corrected the second time, seeing how his son made the same mistake.
"Frost-ing...ing it." Antony tried to say. He stuck out his tongue, expressing his literal 'tougue tiwsting'.
Nickoladze smiled a little. He really did love his boy. He was very well behaved; well, for an eleven year old. He supposed he was blessed in that regard. He picked up a smaller fork and sliced off a bite of cake, letting it melt in his mouth seconds later. He murmured his approval once again.

Lyra smiled at the boy and slowly ate her cake.
The earl chuckled a bit, finishing his serving. "Well, thank you for joining us this evening, your grace," he said. "I do hope you stop by again. You, and your son, are welcome any time."

Nickoladze smiled. "As soon as my house is in order, I can say the same for you. But, allow me to be so bold as to say; as long as you do not mind hearing business at the table, that I am looking for a job. Preferably in political affairs, or perhaps even public affairs as well. I was quite the esteemed politician and negotiator in Nallswell." He said easily. "If you wish I could bring my proofs and papers tomorrow."
Antony yawned and began to slouch, and Nickoladze put a gentle hand on his son's back, holding him up.

The earl smiled a bit and shook his head. "I'm sure that won't be necessary," he said. "And I'm certain we can find a place for you. Or perhaps you could simply take over your uncle's job."

Nickoladze nodded and smiled. "Yes, if I only knew what his job was." He admitted softly. "My great uncle and I have only met once. I suppose I was rather surprised when his will left me the deed to his estate." He admitted.
He finished the cake and looked to his son. He stood slowly. "Perhaps, though, we will discuss the details another time. Antony looks a bit tired from the wine." He chuckled a little, picking his boy up. Antony curled his head into his father's shoulders, falling asleep that instant.