A feeling of helplessness swept through Regis, so intense he thought he would choke on it. Finally he managed to speak.
“Rinaldo, Grandfather tried for years to induce me to marry. I am not indifferent to women. As all the world knows, I have done my duty in producing sons and daughters for Hastur. Unfortunately, almost all died or were killed by the World Wreckers assassins. In the end, it seemed wrong to continue to father babes with such a fate. But I tell you now what I told him then: I will not marry a woman I cannot love.”
“Love? Love comes after marriage more often than not. When it comes before, the illusion of happiness ends when lust burns itself out,” Rinaldo commented with a faintly lascivious glint in his eyes. “Do you seriously mean that you have nevermet a woman you could marry?”
A quick retort rose up, but Regis knew it for a lie. He could say nothing, and that would also be untrue. “I have, and I have asked her to marry me. She refused.”
Rinaldo’s expression wavered between surprise and triumph. “You said nothing of this before.”
“Should I have offered her to Valdir’s ruffians as another hostage? Even if I no longer cared for her, I would not do such a thing.”
Regis prayed that he had not made a colossal blunder in revealing Linnea’s existence. Now the only way to ensure her continued safety was to change her mind, and that was as poor a way to begin a marriage as any he could imagine.
“You must ask her again,” Rinaldo said, clearly pleased. “You must be persuasive. You must woo her.”
Regis shook his head. “That would only jeopardize what good will remains between us.”
“Come now, I cannot believe that a man of your physical attributes—you are very handsome, if one cares for such things, which I do not—your wealth and lineage, cannot secure the affections of any woman you desire. Who is this obstinate female? She must be of high rank. I know so little of our caste . . . but I did notice one very pretty woman on the day of my ascension. An Alton, I thought, but Valdir said they are all off-world. She was watching you.”
The truth would come out, one way or another. Frankness might be the best policy, and Rinaldo valued honesty.
Taking a deep breath, Regis admitted that the lady Rinaldo had noticed was indeed the one. “Linnea Storn-Lanart was trained as a Keeper and served in that capacity at Arilinn. During the World Wreckers crisis, she gave up her work to bear me a child and now carries another. A son, she believes. Rinaldo, I beg your patience in this. I hope that, given time, she and I may find our way back to one another.”
“With your—the other one—out of the picture, I should hope so.” Regis felt his face harden. “ DomnaLinnea is not a woman to be seduced or coerced. I would rather set her aside then see her harmed. I fear that in naming her, I have placed her at risk. I have opened my heart to you, trusting you not to abuse the confidence. For the sake of the love you bear me as a brother, for the sake of my children, I beg your protection for her.”
Without a moment’s pause, Rinaldo replied, “Set your mind at rest. Your lady will be safe in my care.”
“Thank you.” The words came out in a whisper.
“ DomValdir is a man of few scruples, and I cannot condone his methods. I know you think I am his servant, but it is the other way around. My allegiance is pledged to a higher master. As for Lady Linnea, I promise you I will not expose another innocent to Valdir’s schemes or let her be used against you. Some provision must be made for her, one way or another, for it is not seemly for a mother to be unmarried.”
“I intend to have both children legitimized, as is the custom,” Regis protested.
“The matter of yourmarriage is too important to leave to a woman’s uncertain favor.” Rinaldo looked down, his brow furrowed in thought. Clearly, he was weighing whether to demand that Regis find another bride or whether to concede. Did Rinaldo believe a man’s affections could be easily shifted to another? He had already expressed his belief that marriage need not include love.
Regis thought spitefully that his brother would be satisfied with a wife who was no more to him than a dutiful bed partner.
At last, Rinaldo made up his mind. “You have one month to either persuade this lady or find another. You may suit yourself. If it is not to be DomnaLinnea, then I will make other arrangements for her.”
“But—”
“I promise you, my brother. On the day you wed, I will secure the release of Danilo Syrtis. You may depend upon it.”
I will depend on it when I see it done,Regis thought. Yet what choice did he have?
Rinaldo was not finished. “Once he is no longer under guard, will you give me your sworn oath you will make no attempt at private communication with him? No secret assignations? No stipulations in the transfer of his services to me?”
Levelly Regis met his brother’s gaze. He saw no deception there, only a frank and ardent desire to do what he saw as good. “Will you in your turn treat Danilo with honor? Will you defend him as your sworn man, as I do?”
“I will deal fairly with him, acting in accord with his highest welfare.”
Regis felt his mouth go dry. From this point, there would be no turning back. Gods, what would Danilo think? That he had been bartered like goods in the market? Like a horse or a fine sword, without feelings or honor?
And Linnea? How could he possibly propose to her again in any way that would not be an even graver insult than before?
“If these are truly your terms,” Regis said at last, “then I must accept them. But I swear by all that is sacred that if you play me false, Rinaldo, you will die by my own hand.”
“Never fear, little brother,” Rinaldo said, giving him a brilliant smile. “I too am a Hastur, and my honor is as precious to me as yours is to you.”
“It is done, then,” Regis said, wanting it finished before he lost his nerve.
“It is done.”
Solemnly, Regis took his leave, knowing that he had bartered away the best part of his soul for the two people he loved most in the world.
20
Regis paced the length of his townhouse parlor before a hearth as cold and desolate as his heart. One of the servants would have rushed to light the fire, but he had stormed in and locked the door behind him. What was a little cold, a little dark, compared to the monstrous action he had just taken?
He was equally furious at Valdir Ridenow and Rinaldo but most of all at himself. He had saved Danilo’s life but sold him into servitude. He had kept Linnea as safe as he could at the likely cost of a final refusal and then no option but to chain himself to another. That he had not been given a choice was of no importance. He should have found another way to save them. Now he had made his bargain and must live with it.
It was impossible to think clearly when all he wanted to do was hit something. Sick and trembling, he lowered himself to one of the chairs. Not the one he usually sat in, just the nearest. Its unfamiliarity felt right. He did not belong here, in such comfort, in his own home.
Stop it! Self-p ity helps no one!he railed silently. He must bide his time, wait for a chance . . . outlast Valdir’s ambition— as if that were possible!— reason with Rinaldo when they were both calmer . . . get Linnea safely out of the city— No, don’t even think about her or Stelli!. . . and find a wife.
He slumped against the rigid chair back. A wife.Wouldn’t the gossips of all seven Domains be thrilled with thatnews?
A month. A thrice-damned month. Where was he going to come up with a marriageable woman by then? Javanne would be happy to suggest someone. How she would relish it!