Heart Dance (37 page)

If she could do it with one disease, she could probably do it with all. That wasn’t what she’d intended, but if it was a big enough victory, it might get the ban on experimenting with time lifted, and that’s what she wanted most. She could continue her previous work on actually reversing the growth of the virus later. And figure out how to make a time tube that everyone could use. The work of a lifetime.

Two. Her father’s and her own.

It was a victory. But she knew she couldn’t proclaim it to the world, couldn’t even tell Saille and get a good reaction. So the triumph wasn’t as wonderful as she’d always thought it would be. Not sharing the joy with Saille made it less.

He’d grown important to her.

Too important. She couldn’t visualize a future without him in it.

And he disapproved of her Flair.

Saille waited a good three days, during which time he and the household renewed the search for his MotherDam’s personalmemorysphere journals, before T’Yew contacted him.

The man’s cold, set expression told Saille everything. “I have scried to give you one last chance to fulfill your obligationsto the Yew Family.” He didn’t use Saille’s title, which fired a spurt of anger. Saille hadn’t wanted to confront another FirstFamilyLord in the first months of his career, before he had solidified his own base, but there was nothing to be done. With a slow inhalation, he kept his face as impassive. "GrandLord T’Yew.” Saille inclined his head slightly. “I have double-checked the Willow business records. They show no transaction between yourself and the former D’Willow.”

“The current D’Willow.”

Ignoring that, Saille said, “I have only a brief notation that you both went from a casual alliance to swearing formal alliancetwo years ago.” Two years and four months ago. Saille didn’t miss the shifting of Yew’s eyes, the sudden flash of wariness.The man’s reaction only confirmed Saille’s impression that the exchange of initial favors had been on the shady side of legal. Surely his MotherDam had left
some
record of the alliance.He’d wager that she would have transcribed any ill she knew of him, too.

A muscle in Yew’s jaw jumped. “Then you are worthless to me. I hereby cancel my alliance with the GreatHouse Willow. I will inform the FirstFamilies Council clerk that there is an outstandingdebt of six hundred thousand gilt to Yew from Willow.”

Cold chilled Saille’s gut, but he smiled pleasantly. “Please do that, I will file a formal request for all reckoning from you to verify the debt.”

Fury contorted Yew’s aristocratic features. “You do that,” he rasped, but Saille sensed the man couldn’t provide what would be necessary. That was the problem when two immoral people made a deal. “I will ruin you,” T’Yew said.

Saille didn’t know if he could, but wouldn’t put it past Yew to use underhanded methods. The problem with dealing with an immoral person. “If you wish to claim insult, I am happy to meet you on the dueling field, or we can formalize a feud.”

Yew jerked in shock, masked it. “Worthless.” Strong fingers snapped, and he cut the scry connection.

After blowing out a breath, Saille said, “Residence, inform the clerks of the FirstFamilies Council, the Noble Council, and the AllClass Council that the formal alliance between the GreatHouseWillow and GrandHouse Yew has been severed at the requestof T’Yew. That Yew states there is an unpaid debt from Willow to Yew but has provided no proof, and the Willow Familyrecords state nothing.” He was sure there must be something,but what? And what harm would it cause the Family that was now his responsibility?

“Done,” said the Residence. It hesitated. “The FirstFamilies clerk states that Yew is now transmitting the same information.”

“Let me know if the debt is stated.” Saille’s mind raced. He’d bluffed, and he’d pushed. He’d do more. “Tell the FirstFamiliesclerk that I will open the Family business records for review if a debt is claimed in the interest of fairness.” That would definitely ruin the Family, a gamble.

“A debt is noted by Yew. One million gilt,” the Residence said hollowly. “The review of the records is accepted by Yew, and the FirstFamilies’ clerk will schedule an auditor. Probably GreatLord Reed.”

“Then also request in the interest of fairness that T’Yew open his Family business records to T’Reed.”

A minute’s silence while the Residence, the clerk, and T’Yew consulted outside of Saille’s hearing.

“T’Yew refuses.”

“Request that T’Yew’s refusal be noted and passed on to all the Councils and a request for a legal determination as to whether his records should be reviewed.”

Saille waited tensely, watching an antique timer tick away the seconds.

“T’Yew withdraws the request that the Willow records be reviewed.” Thirty more seconds. “T’Yew withdraws his claim.” Ten seconds. “The FirstFamilies Council clerk cancels the reviewof the Willow records.”

Saille sank to the chair behind his desk, his muscles tremblingin reaction. There should be some way to ensure the safety of his Family until he discovered what his MotherDam might know of Yew. He rubbed his temples, unsurprised when he found his scalp damp with sweat. Slowly he said, “Inform the FirstFamilies Council, the Noble Council, and the AllClass Council clerks that there is conflict between the former allies Willow and Yew and that Willow stands ready to defend his House and position with his body in duel or feud.” He leaned back in the comfortchair, let the spells on his shirt and the chair take care of the sweat on his back.

“That is done,” the Residence said, tone richly satisfied.

Saille wasn’t pleased. He was young and had some arms training, Yew was old. Both of them had older, female Heirs who probably would not fight. Though from what he’d seen of YewHeir, she was a prideful woman who might very well carry on a feud, or hire mercenaries.

If Saille had had any allies formally sworn to
him
, they would have backed him, fought with him, feuded for him. Probablybest that he brought no one else into this matter, but he felt as if he were a lone man fending off a snapping, rabid wolf.

For anyone else but an arrogant FirstFamily Lord, the precautionshe’d taken would stop any further action. It wouldn’t stop T’Yew.

Saille had made an enemy. He just didn’t know how bad.

Twenty-eight

Over the next eightday, Dufleur worked in her laboratory at least two septhours a day as soon as she arose.

Now that she was doing verification experiments, her work went faster. She’d repeated the experiment with five rats, then seven, found that a future-then-past jump was the quickest and most effective way to kill disease, using the least Flair and disruptingthe Time Wind the least. She could pinpoint the bacteria or the virus, infuse their cells with the Time Wind, move them through time, and eradicate them.

The effects of the disease—various diseases infecting the rats—remained, but some of those could be Healed, as demonstratedby a reluctant Danith D’Ash.

Dufleur was sure the same procedure would work on humans.

The social season picked up pace, with more than one event in the evening and night. Passiflora’s gentle politicking had also increased as the date for the vote, the next full twinmoons,the first day of Saille’s month, Willow, approached. So his household was preparing for the full twinmoons ritual and the holiday of Imbolic, which fell during his month. This would be his first month as the spiritual leader of the FirstFamilies.

She saw Saille at social functions and spent sensual nights with him in her bed or his. Something was bothering him, but a coolness had come between them, and since she valued her own privacy, she didn’t ask. Though she found it a thorn in her heart that he didn’t reveal his concerns and let her comfort him. Nor did he ask about her work other than the timer alignment or her embroidery.

She didn’t tell him how an inimical Agave watched her, either.

Saille had, one wintry afternoon, requested she take a formalSabbat meal with his Family. It had caused her much dampness of palms until Arbusca had welcomed her with warm smiles and offered her timer for Dufleur to set. After that, it was easier, and oddly soothing to be in the midst of so many interesting and cheerful women, fulfilling a need in Dufleur that she hadn’t realized she had. All of them must have known she was Saille’s HeartMate, but only the keen excitementin their gazes pressured her. By the time she left, after catching several significant looks among them, she had the nervous feeling that they were going to plan an Imbolic wedding,too.

The thought both tempted and scared her. With the success of the last experiment behind her, one she’d meticulously recorded with an expensive memorysphere, it was time to make a decision on how to proceed.

She wanted to talk with Saille about it. She wanted more than just sex and affection and passion.

“Dufleur, dear,” Passiflora D’Holly said, in a tone that told Dufleur the GreatLady had tried to get her attention more than once.

“Yes?” She looked at D’Holly, who had stress deepening the lines around her eyes. “I’m sorry, I was daydreaming.”

Passiflora’s mouth quirked. “It’s nice to know you
can
daydream.”

Heat rose to Dufleur’s cheeks.

“I was saying,” Passiflora continued, “that I believe the Birches’ ball tonight will be the crucial event.”

Dufleur’s mind went blank.

Continuing, Passiflora explained, “My Family will be at the ball, even Genista. She’s becoming slightly more social. T’Hawthorn will be at the Birches, too.” She shifted. “I think the matter of the Captain of the Council will be settled.”

Staring, Dufleur said, “In the Birches’ ballroom?”

A long ripple of laughter came from Passiflora. “Yes, indeed.All the FirstFamilies will be there, so we can see the shifts in the groupings—a straw poll, as it were.”

“Oh.” Dufleur drew her cloak closer. “I’m glad it’s you who needs to do all this.”

“Yes, I know,” Passiflora mocked gently. “You hate the socialscene.”

“T’Ash will be there, too?” Dufleur had come to think of him as an indication of those events that were absolutely necessary.He wouldn’t attend otherwise.

“Everyone.” Passiflora smiled. “T’Ash is formally allied with us for three generations. My dear Holm called to remind him and D’Ash of the gathering.”

“Ah.”

“Anyway, you will be more on your own tonight. I just wanted to let you know.”

“I’ve been doing all right,” Dufleur said stiffly.

Passiflora squeezed Dufleur’s hand. “Yes, you have.”

Then the glider pulled to a stop and the footman lifted the door. Passiflora slid out, and Dufleur followed, smiling at the Holly who held the door.

He winked at her.

So Dufleur entered the ballroom with a dignified step.

As usual, she danced with all the younger men and Saille. His body was more tense than usual, and she saw him watching T’Yew and the more conservative set.

The energetic country dance ended, and she began, “Saille—”

He flashed her a practiced smile. “We’re parched. I’ll get us something to drink.”

Well, that was true. He read her well physically, and emotionally,and she was learning to do the same, she just wasn’t sure how to interpret her knowledge or act upon it.

A feeling still lurked inside her that she was going to wreck this somehow.

While Saille crossed to the snack table, she observed the flow of people around her.

Passiflora was taking a break from her gentle persuasion to lead the small orchestra in another dance.

Near Dufleur’s corner, T’Holly and T’Hawthorn drifted together.

Everyone seemed fascinated to see the old archenemies in conversation. Power and great Flair radiated from them.

T’Hawthorn swirled brandy in his glass and glanced at T’Holly with a mild expression. “Well, Holm, do you intendto put your token forward to become Captain of the Councils?”

With equal mildness, T’Holly said, “Yes.”

A rare smile graced T’Hawthorn’s lips. “Then I will leave it to you.” He shook his head slightly. “The Captaincy was a heavier burden than I’d anticipated, especially with those murders a couple of months ago.” He frowned, and lines dug into his face. “Filthy business.”

“You handled it well, Huathe.”

T’Hawthorn shrugged. “I much prefer my business, cinnamontrading. At least people do as I say when I request it.”

The man was formidable, Dufleur couldn’t imagine anyone with two brain cells to rub together going against him.

“You’ll have an easier time of it, Holm. More diplomatic.” A rare smile softened T’Hawthorn’s face. “My Son’sSon has passed his apprenticeship and will be studying as a journeyman with me.”

T’Holly smiled, too, genuinely. “A blessing for you.”

“Indeed.”

The two men separated, because grief shadowed their Flair. T’Hawthorn had lost his son in the feud he’d started with T’Holly, killed by one of T’Holly’s son’s, a bitter blow. T’Holly had lost his first Son’sChild in the womb because of his pride . . . all stemming from the Hawthorn-Holly antagonism.

Now the men were on an even footing and linked by a HeartMatemarriage of their children, but Dufleur sensed they would never be more than distant acquaintances. Too much past and grief and Flair for each.

Passiflora had been right. This was a decisive moment. T’Hawthorn would not oppose T’Holly’s bid to become Captainof the Councils. Probably none of T’Hawthorn’s allies would do so, either. Dufleur hadn’t heard of any other FirstFamilyLord or Lady who wanted the job.

When the FirstFamilies Council voted, T’Holly would be Captain of all the Celtan Councils, the most powerful man on Celta.

Dufleur’s purpose in providing a front for Passiflora was no longer necessary, but the pretense would have to remain. She would be expected to finish the social season.

"GrandMistrys Thyme?”

Blinking, Dufleur smiled in the direction of the thin man who’d addressed her. It took her only three seconds to identify him as one of the Examiners in the Winterberry case. She was getting better at this social business.