The Illegitimate Claim (57 page)

the look and knew what it meant. He looked a little too good to her at the moment. “I’m

not going upstairs. We’ll be in the kitchen.”

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The Illegitimate Claim

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Andru rested on his throne while Gilroy leaned against the broad windowsill. Beel

paced in front of them for a moment while he rubbed his chin.

“I didn’t think I would ever say this, but I’m going to claim Paleah.”

Beel took a step backwards, surprised, when Andru jumped up and clapped his

hands. He immediately turned to a back shelf and pulled down a fancy decanter and

poured mugs of Gothman wine.

“I don’t know that I feel like celebrating over it yet. I’m still at the crazy in the head

stage. I daresay that woman made me madder than I’ve ever been, and I was hell-bent

to have her out of my life. I left and just flew south. After a day, I ached for her so badly,

all I could think about was getting back here as quickly as I could.”

“It’s all downhill from there,” Gilroy snorted as he accepted the wine.

“I’m sure,” Beel mumbled.

Gilroy and Andru laughed, giving each other knowing nods.

“Did you know the River People have formed a new community just a few hours

south of here?”

“No, I didn’t. A new community, you say?” Andru frowned.

“Yup. Call it Bargstown, after the man who owns the three stores that make up the

place. But there’s a fair amount of people settling in the area and building houses. I

thought I might move down there for a while. Of course, I would take Paleah with me.”

“That might not be a bad idea,” Andru said, as he gulped some of his wine. “You

could keep me up on what’s going on down there.”

“It would be good for Paleah and me. No one will know her down there, and she

won’t be harassed. Damn, I should have known that would happen.” Beel shook his

head as he thought of Paleah being afraid to leave the house. “And of course, with a

salary from you we could build a nice house.”

“Salary?” Andru’s eyes narrowed. “Why would I give you a salary?”

Beel’s gray eyes twinkled. “Because you’ll pay me to keep you informed of the

goings-on down there.”

Andru rolled his eyes but Beel continued before his older brother could protest.

“Now, here’s the main reason I wanted to speak with you without the women

around.” He began to pace again and suddenly looked awkward. “Claiming Paleah is

quite a bit to take on in itself but I just can’t break the woman’s heart without at least

making the effort.”

“What are you talking about, man?”

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“I want to take Magi with us.” Beel almost looked sick as he spoke. “I’m not saying

I’m the fatherly type, but that woman loves that little girl. It’s all she talks about, and

the only time she begs for money is when she wants to buy some dress she saw for the

girl. And she can’t have any children of her own.”

Beel ran his hands through his long blond mop of curls and stared at the two men.

“Paleah could give that little girl what she won’t get here, Andru. And that means a lot

to her.”

Andru looked at Gilroy. “That little girl, Magi you say. Damn, I’d almost forgotten

about her.”

Beel frowned and stared hard at his brother. “Did you ever know a whore named

Magi?”

“I don’t remember.” Andru waved his hand. “Hell, I don’t remember being at the

brothel. Not for quite a few winters, at least.”

“Well, I do. She worked there for a couple of winters, pretty little thing.” Beel didn’t

look up as he swallowed the rest of his wine.

“Do you mean?”

Beel shrugged. “Probably. She could be yours or mine, who’s to say? It makes

sense, though. When that whore died giving birth, she could have told those people

anyone was the papa. Why choose me when she could choose you? That way she could

hope her daughter might have some kind of future. How do you argue with a dead

girl?”

“Don’t cut yourself short, man,” Gilroy scowled. “You have a fair amount of power

throughout Gothman, and you know it.”

Beel laughed. “It’s true. I don’t deny it. Couldn’t ask for a better life. It’s a damn

shame I’m going to give it all up.”

“Don’t try to make us think for a minute that you plan on giving up a thing.”

Andru slapped his brother on the back. “You plan on going down there and taking over

that town. I know how the blood runs through you. Don’t ever forget that.”

“And Magi?”

“Take the girl. You can go down there with a ready-made family.”

Beel groaned and the two men chided him with masculine pokes. They walked

toward the kitchen and then stopped dead in their tracks when they came upon the

women.

“What’s this?” Andru did his best to pull off a scowl although his joviality peeked

through his eyes.

Paleah looked up quickly, guilt spread across her face in a luscious hot pink. Meah

turned her head casually and looked completely indifferent to their presence.

“I did some research.” Meah turned back to her task at hand.

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“You did some research?” Andru moved casually to the counter where several piles

of frilly dresses were stacked neatly. He picked up a pair of tiny slippers and studied

them. “Pray tell, my lady, what research have you done?”

She met his gaze. “I couldn’t accept that a child of yours could enter this house and

you act so indifferent about her presence. I see how your papa treats Beel. It’s not in

your blood.” She shrugged. “So, I did some checking.”

Andru moved next to his claim now and he picked up the end of her braid and

twisted it between his fingers. “You did some checking?”

Slight color appeared in her face. “Well, actually, I had someone ask around for

me.” Meah’s expression turned stubborn. “And you haven’t been in that brothel for

quite a few winters. Of course, I’m sure someone in your position could have a whore

brought to you, but apparently those women don’t leave that place too often. However,

Beel here is quite a favorite among the women who reside there. In fact, they miss him

as of late.”

Andru looked down quickly to hide a smile, and Gilroy’s eyes twinkled as he

glanced at Beel who was looking hard at Meah. “What is all this stuff here?”

She smiled at her bastard brother-in-law. “Magi is your daughter, Beel. And I think

you know that. These are her things and we’re moving her to your house.”

“What? I don’t have the means to take care of her at my house.”

“I’m sure you’ll figure something out.” Meah turned away from Andru and took

Magi from Paleah’s arms. She walked over and gently placed the child in Beel’s

reluctant arms. He stared at the child in disbelief as the girl twisted and reached for

Paleah.

“I do believe my claim could be charged with attempting to trap a man.” Andru

tugged on her braid but then gently placed his arm around her when her hand went to

her abdomen.

“That would be her style,” Gilroy added, and she glared at the two of them as they

smiled over her.

“I’m not a man who can be trapped, my lady.” Beel walked around the island in the

middle of the kitchen and handed Magi back to Paleah. The little girl stretched her arms

around the young Neurian’s neck.

“I daresay, he doesn’t have enough scruples,” Andru added.

“So you deny the child is yours?” Meah’s temper brewed.

“Just because you try to pawn this one off doesn’t mean others might not show up,”

Gilroy chided as he reached for a loose strand of her hair and wrapped it behind her

ear. She slapped at him, which seemed to intensify the fire burning in his eyes.

“Not at all, my lady,” Beel said gallantly. “I’ve already suggested to his lord that the

possibility was strong.”

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He turned to Fulga, who held more of Magi’s things in her arms, and had pursed

her lips as she stared icily at Beel. He pinched her cheek anyway and ignored her

boldness.

“Be a sweetheart, Fulga dear, and bundle all of this stuff up. I daresay it will be

hard to take all of it in one trip.”

“You’re going to take her?” Paleah whispered in astonishment, then looked quickly

at the ground.

“Why not? Are you ready?”

Paleah showed her confusion when she met his eyes. He smiled gently and stroked

her cheek. “Meah, I’m afraid you’re going to have to find another nanny for your

children. My claim won’t be working here anymore.”

“You claimed me?” Paleah jumped into his arms and Magi squealed in protest.

“You surprise me, my lady. I swear you made it quite clear you weren’t the

claiming type.” Beel smiled lovingly at the black eyes that glistened up at him.

“That was almost a winter ago,” she whispered. “Things can change.”

Beel stared at her for a minute, then switched his attention to Magi and attempted

to put a wild curl back in place. He cleared his throat and attempted a roguish grin at

everyone in the room. His eyes were glassy and he failed to fool anyone.

“Take care, brother. I’ll let you know when we get settled.” Beel extended his hand

to Andru, who shook it willingly.

“Where are they going?” Meah asked after Beel and Paleah left.

“He’s got a leader’s blood in him, and I do believe he feels the need to put it to use,”

Andru said casually.

“I can only imagine what a town under his control would be like,” Gilroy snorted,

and Andru joined in on the laugh.

* * * * *

“How are you feeling this morning?” Andru entered their room and was pleased to

see Meah up and dressed. Fulga pulled sheets from the bed, and opened the doors to

the balcony, allowing the fresh spring breeze to cleanse the room.

Meah turned and smiled when Andru reached into the bassinette and scooped up