Part 50 (2/2)

”I'm sure they know best,” Jarrod began soothingly and then changed his tack when he caught the look on her face. ”Well, I'll undertake to put on a brave show at Hall if you promise to behave yourself.”

She made a face. ”I don't have much of a choice do I?” she said with a trace of bitterness. ”The unspeaka- ble Jaffney won't let me do anything. Every time one of my factors visits, it takes a battle royal to get him ad- mitted. The harvest is in and all the s.h.i.+pping arrange- ments have to be made. We had a b.u.mper crop this year and the Isphardis are paying a decent price for a change.” She tapped the account book. ”If I can ar- range for quick delivery before the other Holdings get themselves organized, this will be the most profitable year I've ever had. I should be down at Seaport. Instead of which, I'm cooped up in this room.”

”Can't Sir Kerris help?” Jarrod inquired mildly. ”He seems to be a competent man.”

”Oh, he'll make a good enough Seneschal. He's well liked and he's honest. But he knows nothing about commerce. In fact he would be highly offended if I sug- gest that he get involved. My factors are good, but they need watching. If you don't keep a sharp eye on them, they'll rob you blind.”

Jarrod noticed that her explanation of her business difficulties had restored some of her good humor. 'The Oligarch Olivderval thinks highly of your trade ven- ture,” he remarked, ”and coming from her, that's quite a compliment.”

Marianna smiled. ”It doesn't stop her from driving a hard bargain,” she said. 'The men are far easier to deal with.”

I'll just wager they are, Jarrod thought. ”Well, I'm

278 t JOHN LEE

pleased to see that you are looking so well and I'm glad that I got here in time. And don't worry, I shan't let you down with the tenants.” He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead and then made his escape while she was still in a good mood.

The Lord Chancellor hesitated before entering the Privy Chamber. He had been announced and the Queen had to have his report, but he knew that she would be distressed by the news and, given the wrong royal mood, such distress could result in the removal of his head. The trouble was that Her Majesty had been in a series of terrible moods ever since the wedding. He drew a deep breath and plucked up the front of his robe. Whatever the outcome, he would make a suitable entrance. He cleared the sill and let the garment go as he advanced into the presence. The skirt of his robe swept the floor and gathered sweet herbs as he crossed the room. The Queen, dressed this day in an eye-disorienting combi- nation of plum and puce, sat waiting upon the throne while her ladies-in-waiting chatted quietly. He came to a halt and bowed deeply.

''My Lord of Brynhaven, we are pleased to see you,”

Naxania said, though she looked far from pleased.

He cleared his throat before speaking. ”I am here to report to Your Majesty upon a development in your realm.” He was nervous and he sounded stilted. Nax- ania had a very poor record of dealing graciously with bearers of bad tidings.

”And what is it that our Lord Chancellor has to tell us?” Naxania inquired.

”The Duke of Abercorn is dead, ma'am.”

He stood and waited for the tongue-las.h.i.+ng.

”It is not unexpected,” the Queen said mildly.

”Mage Courtak is his successor of record,” the Chan- cellor added.

THE UNICORN PFACE + 279.

”We know that. We do not like it. but we know that.”

There was no mistaking that tone of voice. She looked at him and Brynhaven felt a s.h.i.+ver of fear between his shoulder blades. ”What to you intend to do about it?”

she asked sharply.

”Do about it. Majesty? I do not understand. There is nothing I can do about it. There is no other direct heir.''

”Then find one.”

”I am sorry. Your Majesty, but there is no other di- rect successor, and, much as I would like to please you, ma'am, with Jarrod Courtak, the discoverer of the un- icorns, living, there is nothing that can be done.”

”Are you telling me, Chancellor,” she said with ter- rible quiet, ”that if it is our royal will that this Courtak be destroyed, or, more simply, deprived of his inheri- tance, that you would not obey us?”

Lord Brynhaven's chin descended to his chest and he swallowed. He did not think of himself as a brave man, but in this he knew that he would have to oppose her.

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