Page 7 of Tattle Tail
He smiled, tail still waving in amusement. “I appreciate your frankness. Then let me be perfectly honest: I have very little interest in taking another mate, but I find myself in need of an heir.”
His mate passed away some years ago, Peaceable recalled. It had been a loving union, though Peaceable’s memories of the female were faint.
A waiter arrived. Having missed her opportunity to leave, she ordered a light meal. Lord Resolve did the same.
“An heir?” Peaceable asked once the waiter departed.
“How closely do you follow the political climate on Talmar?” he asked.
“Not at all,” she admitted. Her parents were very much concerned about the old world, but she had spent all her life on Corra, or nearly all of it since she was a toddler. Corra was home.
“My title and estate have been restored.” He gave a much put-upon sigh as if the restoration of his inheritance was the last thing he desired.
Peaceable searched her memory for any clues that her mother may have dropped in conversation. Lord Resolve had no children. “You have a nephew. Is he not your heir?”
He made a dismissive noise. “That worthless male. No, he is unsuitable. Gambles and has a nasty temper. I do not care what he does with my credits, but the title has responsibilities to the tenants on the estate and the community. I have responsibilities.” He paused as the waiter arrived with two cups of steaming tea. “I can give away my wealth, but the title and the estate are entailed. It will go to him unless I produce a new heir.”
“Is adoption a possibility?”
“Not when there is a blood relative. It is a frustrating piece of legal antiquity.”
Peaceable turned over this information. “Wouldn’t it be easier to train him to be suitable, rather than make an entirely new person and hope they are suitable?”
“That male cannot change his stripes.” His ears went back in agitation. “So, you must forgive my bluntness. I cannot offer you a love match, but you are intelligent and attractive. I do feel fondness for you. I think we will be well suited.”
“I see—”
He continued, speaking over her, “I know you like to tinker and…” He waved a hand, unable to put what he thought she did into words. “I would not interfere with that until you become pregnant. Then I must insist that you rest and cease to work. A healthy kit is of utmost importance.”
“But how—”
“I will require faithfulness, if only so that the legitimacy of the heir cannot be questioned. My nephew is exactly the sort to drag old grudges through the courts. I know there are considerable years between us, but I believe I can keep a healthy young female like yourself satisfied.”
To his credit, he did not sound like a lecherous old male when he said those revolting words. If anything, he sounded bored, as if listing the terms of a contract.
And Peaceable understood that the marriage he offered would be little more than a contract.
Her mother knew all this, Peaceable had no doubt. Tolerance sent her daughter straight to a desperate male who needed to produce a kit as quickly as possible.
Because she believed it to be a good match or because she thought Peaceable would be desperate enough to accept a mating that was little more than a business transaction? Peaceable did not know.
Was she foolish for wanting a love match? To be wanted because her partner valued her for herself, perhaps evenlikedher, and not for her ability to produce a kit?
Some desires were impossible, it seemed.
Acting as if he realized his misstep, Lord Resolve reached for her hand across the table. His palm felt clammy against hers. “Forgive my inelegant proposal. No doubt you wish to be courted and wooed.”
She pulled her hand away, picking her next words carefully. “I appreciate your bluntness, but I must decline your offer.”
He took rejection with grace and dignity, sipping his tea as if nothing was amiss.
“Is it the age difference?” he finally asked.
“No,” she said, perhaps a bit too hastily. He looked unconvinced. She added, “You are very attractive, but I’ve known you since I was a kit. I do not regard you in that manner.”
This was mortifying. Peaceable wished for some way to make her mother pay for this agony.
“Is there no persuading you?”
