A Brother's Price

had placed a marker, scanned the page, and caught where Ren had underlined the name of Whistler, then skipped on to a passage Ren had purposely not underlined. “ ‘As I hoped,’ ” she read, “ ‘the Whistlers have found ways to come and go unobserved into the castle. Their intelligence indicates that we will not be able to take the castle by honorable siege, but will have to resort to mayhem. Fortunately, the Whistlers excel at mayhem.’ ”
    Ren had chosen to ignore the passage. Acknowledging it could only make things worse. “I visited the wall of sorrow this morning. The Whistlers all bear a striking resemblance to Prince Alannon.”
    “I see.” Her mother set the memoirs down beside her own book. It was titled, Ren noticed now, Breeding for the Success of Pest Resistance — a Study in Genetics . Had her mother picked up this passion for breeding before or after the princesses’ marriage to Keifer? Most likely before—whatever her mother thought of Keifer, she couldn’t fault his breeding. “I suppose one could argue that knighthood and a royal husband eliminate all black marks against a family.”
    Ren struggled to find the thread of the argument she had hammered out over the last five days. “His family has maintained the status of landed gentry since the war. Their farm is well ordered and bountiful.”
    “No crimes, lapses into thievery, or joining the army?”
    Ren was not sure if this was a truthful question or a sarcastic comment on the Whistlers’ background. “No.” She returned to her planned discussion. “He is one of four sons, and has three uncles.”
    “Seven males in two generations?” her mother asked with sudden, sharp attention.
    “I’ve checked the best one can, and his three uncles and one set of split-off aunts all have sons, somewhere between a confirmed two and a rumored five.”
    “You argue your case well.”
    “He has thirty-one sisters and brothers, all healthy as horses, sharp-eyed, quick-witted—sound teeth—pretty enough to put most of the peers to shame, hardworking, polite—”
    “Enough, enough.” Queen Elder held up her hand. “You said ‘chaste’ earlier. Are you sure?”
    “‘Perhaps it is my vanity speaking, Mother, but I cannot imagine him refusing me after accepting another woman.” She caught her mother’s look, and found herself blushing hotly. “I wanted him, and pressed him close. He allowed kisses—no—he delighted in kisses, but for his family’s sake held the line on further pursuits.”
    “Dear, how many times have I told you? Don’t dabble before marriage, or you’ll be blinded by your heart. As Eldest, you have to be the clear thinker now.”
    “He was very sweet. With his father gone, he tends the babies as if they were his own, and he is gentle, firm, and loving with them. He understands honor, pride, and loyalty. He can withstand the pressure of a wanton princess when he is but poor landed gentry.” She found herself scrambling for more, for her mother’s look was hardening. “He is the one that went down to the creek and carried Odelia home because his younger sisters left him and his baby sisters alone.”
    “And you’re already in love with him.” The look was stone-cold now.
    Ren closed her eyes, hoping her mother would not deny the suit based on that alone. “Yes, I believe so.”
    “And what does Odelia think of this wonderment? Did she meet him? Kiss him?”
    “She lay in bed an extra day in hopes he would come nurse her through. I don’t think she managed to obtain a kiss; I think she would have gone on at great length if she had.”
    “I see.”
    “Please, Mother, let us consider him. He is almost sure to throw healthy children with good chances for a boy or two. He would certainly be a good father. His royal blood balances the thieving soldiers turned landed gentry. He seems to have the strength of will to be the royal husband—he can resist temptation and do the right thing. He is beautiful—very, very beautiful.”
    “Let me consider.”
    With the statement. Ren fell silent. Any further ar-guing would only damage her cause. After that royal decree, one could only retreat, wait, and hope.
    Queen Mother Elder gave her verdict later that night. “If your sisters agree, you can marry him. I will send for him, on pretense of a reward for saving your sister. There is no need to taunt his family with hopes of a match that might not come about.”
    “Thank you. Mother.”
----
    Chapter