No Words Alone (23 page)

“Youth must be trained to replace
experience,” the lady declared. “And one day
you
will be
experienced and training youth. It’s a very tidy circle, you
see.”

Xera frowned, her head already buzzing with
endless lists of details. “You’re not planning to kick off anytime
soon, are you? I mentioned I’d been in charge of cleaning maids,
not the whole inn. My sister Gem could likely do the whole thing
without losing sleep but….”

Tessla waved her hand. “You admit the skill
is in your blood. You will adapt.” She smiled. “You’ll have to. We
have events of this magnitude at least once a month, with smaller
dinners weekly. Now that Ryven is married, he can finally set up a
proper household and entertain.”

Xera sighed. So, she’d become a hostess of
what was essentially a rotating dining hall. She supposed there
were worse fates. It did throw a damper on her plans for a
part-time job. Apparently being married to Ryven was employment in
itself.

“Your friends will want to reciprocate, too,”
continued Lady Tessla. “I imagine you’ll find yourself with more
invitations than you can accept. You begin to see why I exercise
diligently.”

Xera shook her head, smiling. “You’re turning
me in a politician’s wife.”

Tessla smiled in return. “Only showing you
the path, dear. You’ve already arrived at the door, you see.” She
patted Xera’s arm. “You’ll be wonderful. Now, about this
menu....”

To Xera’s surprise, her sisters-in-law
privately confided their thanks for taking on their terror of an
aunt. When she just smiled and said she didn’t mind a bit, that it
was actually enjoyable at times, they were even more impressed. Her
status rose within the family hierarchy.

From her point of view, she was doing nothing
to advance it. But Xera soon observed that those in charge of
social activities were greatly respected; provided they did a good
job, of course. Nobody esteemed a miserly or awkward hostess. Xera
had never been shy, however, and understood that adequate portion
size and an abundance of good drinks made for good business. It was
the same when planning a party: treat the guests much like valued
customers, remain formal with staff and rake in the admiration. She
had to be satisfied with that, since they certainly weren’t raking
in coin. She was staggered by the amount of money these functions
cost.

“I’m amazed that you’re spending so much on
entertainment,” she admitted to Tessla. “How does the family keep
from going bankrupt?”

Tessla looked surprised then laughed. “Have
you no idea of your husband’s income? What has he given you for
allowance?”

Xera told her and then added, “He’s been
generous, and there’s no way I can spend it all. I like to go out
and shop now and then, but I just can’t see throwing money away on
frivolous stuff all the time. Value for dollars and all that. It’s
a business class thing,” she finished wryly.

Tessla studied her thoughtfully. “This is not
such a bad thing. It requires no apology.

“Regarding the entertainments…my daughter,
you’ve married into a wealthy house. These gatherings cost no more
for us to give than if you’d invited one or two friends to share
your own dinner; perhaps even less. Once you have become familiar
with the process, it takes only a couple of hours to plan. Staff
handles the rest, though of course you must oversee their work, for
any flaws in the engagements will be attributed to you. From
conception to the moment you farewell the last guest, all eyes are
on you.”

Xera nodded. That, too, was just like running
an inn. If the staff made a mistake, management took the heat.

“As for your concern about money, I think it
will be well for your husband to sit with you and discuss his
finances and business affairs, since you are competent with such
things. Many women are not and could care less where the money
comes from, as long as there is plenty of it. Be assured that Ryven
has an astute financial mind and will not impoverish his
household.

“As for your allowance, I suggest you learn
to enjoy it. If you don’t wish to spend it all on yourself, then
use a portion to support charitable endeavors. I favor those that
train the poor in profitable skills, but there are many to choose
from.” Lady Tessla smiled and squeezed Xera’s hand. “Yours is a new
life, but it can be rich and full. That is what I want for you.”
She patted Xera’s hand and leaned back. “Besides, it will benefit
Ryven if you are happy, and I do like my family taken care of.”

Xera laughed, touched by Tessla’s concern.
“I’ve noticed.” She was silent for a moment as she considered
whether she’d enjoy the role Tessla offered. At length she decided
to give it a fair trial. While it wasn’t the life she’d thought
she’d lead when she’d left home to start her career with the GE, it
had its challenges. If she tried it and didn’t like it, she could
always find something more interesting to do. Besides, the things
she’d learn in this role were bound to help when she put on her
ambassador hat…when there were actually humans to represent, that
was.

She frowned. There had been no pinbeams from
the GE or IC for her. Had Ryven known how little she’d be called on
to do her job? She remembered his comment about her moving into an
“advisory position” and wondered. At the time she’d had other
things on her mind and thought he’d meant one day in the future,
but perhaps she’d misunderstood. Had he known all along, even from
the beginning, how little she’d be called on to perform her duties?
But that made no sense. Why would he have wanted the position for
her, if that were the case? They were going to have to talk about
it very soon, but it would have to wait until he got home. This was
not the sort of conversation she wanted to have over email.

She dreamt of autumn. Leaves fell all around. Bright
and beautiful shades of bronze and gold, they evaded her fingers
and fluttered to the ground, forming a soft carpet under the trees.
Xera spun with delight and fell into a pile. The leaves felt as
soft as thistle down.

She was not alone. The sun blinded her to the
man above, but she knew his voice. Ryven had come home. His lips
caressed her neck and praised her softly scented skin. His fingers
slid into her hair, enjoying the silk of it. His body settled over
hers….

She awoke with a start, and froze. There was
a man in bed with her. “Ryven?” she whispered, spooked.

He laughed, his breath a soft puff against
her mouth. “Did you think they would let anyone else in?”

She pushed him back so she could breathe. She
sat up. “You scared me!”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, and stroked her
back. “I meant to surprise you.”

“You did. I’m not used to men crawling into
my bed at all hours.”

His voice held a smile. “Saints be praised
for that.” He reached over and turned on the bedside light. “Is
that better?”

She let out a sigh, surprised at how tense
she was. “Yes, thanks.” The reality of his presence hit her.
“You’re really home!”

He smiled. “Yes.”

She laughed. “Well, then…” She tackled him.
He went down easily, a willing victim, and laughed at his
surrender.

Ryven glanced ruefully over his shoulder the
next morning as he was getting dressed. His first attempt at rising
hadn’t been successful; they’d ended up back in bed before he’d had
his shirt fastened. Not that he minded; his wife had a delightful
way of making a man feel welcome. They had business to attend this
morning, however.

As soon as Xera was up and dressed, he led
her into the next room to eat breakfast. After she had caught him
up on the family doings, he gave her an overview of their finances.
And his aunt had been right; he should have done so sooner. Xera
seemed amazed and reassured by what she learned. He hadn’t realized
what a source of concern it had been for her until he saw her
shoulders relax. He was also pleasantly surprised by her astute
questions. Her intelligence was pleasing…but he was not as thrilled
when she mentioned running a business again.

“Why would you want that? We don’t lack for
money, and my aunt has ensured you have plenty to do.”

She studied him. “Arranging a couple of
parties a month is hardly a drain on my time. I’m used to doing
a lot
of work, Ryven. I’ve got a lot of energy.”

He scowled. “Tell that to my sisters. For
years they’ve complained that the burden would crush them.”

Xera shrugged. “They just don’t have the
knack, is all. It’s not that different from running an inn. You
just have a different customer base.”

He stared at her. “You’ve forgotten what will
happen when we have children. Raising them properly is very time
consuming. I won’t have them brought up by servants.”

She considered that. “They could always go
into the family business when they’re old enough. I was helping in
the kitchen when I was five. It builds work ethic.”

Those brimstone eyes of his heated ominously.
“I won’t have my child working like a servant.”

“Not like a servant; like a member of the
family.”

He took a breath, calming himself. “I
understand your point of view on this. I know you were raised to
see things differently. I also know we are not relocating to
apartments above a business so that you can spend your waking hours
directing it.” He watched her blink, saw the frown start between
her eyes. “As interested as I am in your happiness, you will have
to find another way to pursue your interests. I am not an
innkeeper. I command a starship and am a noble. My father is the
Lord Governor of Rsik.” And that was that.

Xera pursed her lips and willed herself not
to comment on her husband’s haughtiness. It was an integral part of
him, and unlikely to be cured in a morning, if ever. Besides, he
was unwittingly playing into the real argument she had coming. It
would be interesting to see how he acted when she brought up the
ambassador thing. She could be devious when necessary. She took a
breath herself. “Okay. No lowbrow establishment for you. Do you
have a more genteel option in mind?”He looked off to the side as if
searching for patience. “Let me share with you my dream of family,
instead. I had envisioned myself coming home from work to find my
family content and happy to see me. I work hard so that my wife can
spend her time making our home pleasant and seeing that our
children are raised right. I have no objection to her having
hobbies, but I don’t want to see her so consumed that she has
nothing left for her family. I would hope to see her put her family
first, yet find a way to fulfill her own needs as well. I can’t see
how running a business would leave room for this.” He looked up,
clearly watching how she reacted.

She considered him. “Do you feel the same
about my ambassadorial duties? After all, you arranged for me to
have them. Went to a great deal of trouble, in fact.”

“They were not intended to last longer than
our wedding,” Ryven said, frustrated, then froze as he realized
what he’d revealed.

Too late. She pounced on his words. “Of
course, being an ambassador is a highly respectable and genteel
occupation. If only it took up more of my day, I’m sure I could be
content.” When he remained mute, she added sweetly, “Of course, it
would help if the IC and GE would communicate a bit more often.
There haven’t been any pinbeams from them, have there?”

He studied her a long moment, his expression
a mix of frustration and stubbornness. At last he admitted, “As I
said, your duties were not arranged for the purpose of supplying
you with an
occupation
. I could not wed you if your rank was
not closer to my own.”

This was interesting. She digested that, then
said slowly, “Let me see if I understand what you’re saying. You
planned to marry me all along, and went to a great deal of trouble
to make it happen. Why? What was I to you but an alien?”

He refused to answer, simply tapped one hand
on the table in silent aggravation.

She could hardly contain her glee. He might
not admit it, but he was neatly trapped. Just to torment him, she
said, “Well, now that I
am
an ambassador, I find I like it.
I would like to see any communication from the GE and IC, please. I
can’t do my job if I’m not informed.”

He was silent for a time. Finally he said,
“Have you ever run an estate?”

She cocked her head, wondering at his change
of subject . “My sister has one, but I don’t know much about it. I
don’t see what this has to do with our discussion.”

He nodded. “We have one with several dozen
tenants. Many of them grow produce for the fresh market: flowers,
spices, fruit. A few of them produce livestock or farm crafts. Do
you know how to judge superior produce?”

She frowned. “Are you really that desperate
to change the subject?”

“You didn’t answer my question,” he said
doggedly. It was clear he was determined to ignore anything he had
no wish to discuss.

How annoying. Well, she could circle back to
her point later. She, too, could be stubborn. Just to show that
she, at least, was cooperative, she said, “I didn’t work in the
kitchen much, but sure, I could tell good stuff from bad. We
couldn’t accept goods from bad vendors.”

“Excellent. And your knowledge of
farming?”

She looked at him suspiciously. “I have none.
Are you suggesting I might want to…what? Oversee this business? I
don’t see how I’ll have time. An ambassador is a busy women…when
she’s allowed to read her mail.” She’d thought about it after her
talk with Tessla and decided there must have been communication
between the two groups. If nothing else, the IC would be very
curious about the Scorpio. When word got out, the people back home
would want to know everything they could about the “mysterious”
race. She’d tell them for nothing that they were uncommonly
stubborn.