Deathstalker 04 - Deathstalker Honor

duty to a Family that had never really wanted him. Someone was going to pay for what he was going through, and it sure as hell wasn’t going to be him. He’d play their bloody game, but he’d play it his way, by his rules, and the good God help anyone who got in his way. He realized Baxter had stopped talking, and looked around sharply.
    “Sorry, I was just resting my eyes. What is it? Did I miss something? “I was inquiring about the small portrait to your right, sir,” said Baxter. “It is the only portrait you brought with you. A most lovely young lady. Is she who I think she is?”
    “Yes,” said Robert. “That’s her. That’s Letitia.” He stared expressionlessly at the portrait in its silver frame, one of the few personal possessions he’d brought with him. All that was left from the last time the Family had intruded into his life. “She was very lovely. I suppose everyone knows the story. It was a big enough scandal in its day. I almost married her. An arranged marriage, but I was fond of her. Given time, I might even have loved her. But at our wedding it emerged she was already pregnant, by one of her guards. And Gregor Shreck murdered her rather than let the wedding go ahead and dishonor his Family.
    I would have saved her, but my Family held me back. I think that was when I learned to hate the Families. All of them.”
    “Family honor is… a tricky business, sir. It is often difficult to know what to do for the best.”
    “Gregor killed her right in front of me. I would have killed him then if I could. I may still.”
    “Then I fear you’ll have to stand in line, sir. Gregor Shreck is not the most popular member of Society just now. In fact, I would venture to suggest that genital warts are probably more popular than he is.”
    Robert had to laugh. “Good to see some things never change. And I suppose a Society that hates Gregor Shreck can’t be all bad. He can wait. Rebuilding the Clan has to come first. That is why I came home.”
    “Indeed, sir. And if I may be so bold, I am sure there are many young ladies of good standing who would be only too happy to make a contract with a rising young gentleman and war hero such as yourself, sir.”
    “No,” said Robert sharply. “No more arranged marriages.” “Pardon me, sir, I quite understand your feelings in this matter, but if you are to lead your Clan, it will be necessary for you to marry at some point, to produce heirs to carry on your line.”
    “Yes, I know. But not yet.”
    “Don’t try to pressure him, Baxter. Robert can be as stubborn as a deaf mule when he puts his mind to it. It’s a Campbell trait.” Robert looked around smiling as the owner of the carrying strident voice strode over to join him. As soon as Adrienne had heard he was back, she had arranged for him to stay with her while she arranged the details of his introduction back into Society. Robert hadn’t argued. One didn’t with Adrienne. And he’d been glad of somewhere secure and friendly to lay his head. His old Family home, Tower Campbell, had been taken over by the Wolfes. He had no rights to it anymore. So he and Baxter were currently camped out at Adrienne’s somewhat crowded house, and trying to get a word in edgewise now and again. Adrienne had all but taken over the running of Robert’s life. He didn’t mind, really. It reminded him happily of his time in the military. She waved the hovering tailor away with an imperious gesture, and he practically broke his back bowing his way backward across the room.
    Adrienne looked sharply at Baxter. “Well, how’s he doing?”
    “As well as can be expected, ma’am. He has a regrettable impulse toward truthfulness and sincerity, but nothing that can’t be overcome. A few carefully arranged appearances, just to test the waters, and then he should be ready to make a more public splash in Society.”
    “At least now you look the part, Robert.”
    “I feel like an idiot.”
    “That’s how you know it’s fashionable, dear. You should have seen some of the things my Finlay wore in his days as a fop and a dandy. People would complain of eye strain for days after he unveiled a new outfit.” “We need to talk about Finlay,” said Robert. “Have you seen him recently? Is he going to make problems over my being the Campbell instead of him? He does have a better claim to the title.”
    “Trust me, dear, Finlay doesn’t want to be the Campbell. He never did. Finlay wouldn’t know what to do with