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lowered his voice. "Since my House is renegade, I don't have to play silly
political games. Unlike some people I know."
Leto flushed, remembering the lessons his father had taught him.
Find love wherever you like, but never marry for love. Your title belongs to
House Atreides -- use it to strike the best possible bargain.
He had recently traveled to forested Ecaz to meet with Archduke Armand in his
provisional capital after the Moritani carpet-bombing of his ancestral chateau.
Under the Emperor's crackdown, sending a legion of Sardaukar to Grumman to keep
the fuming Viscount at bay, open hostilities between the two Houses had stopped,
at least for the moment.
Archduke Armand Ecaz had requested an investigation team to study the alleged
sabotage of the famous Ecazi fogtree forests and other crops, but Shaddam had
refused. "Let sleeping dogs lie" had been his official Imperial response. And
he expected the problem to end there.
Recognizing Leto's diligent attempts to calm the still-uneasy tensions, the
Archduke had informally mentioned that his eldest daughter, Sanya, might be a
marriageable prospect for House Atreides. Upon hearing the suggestion, Leto had
considered the assets of House Ecaz, their commercial, political, and military
power, and how they might complement the resources of Caladan. He had not even
looked at the girl in question. Study the political advantages of a marriage
alliance. His father would have been pleased. . . .
Now, Mother Superior said, "These young women are well trained in the myriad
ways of pleasing nobility. All have been chosen according to your profile,
Prince."
Rhombur approached the line of women and looked closely at each of their faces.
Blondes, brunettes, redheads, some with skin as pale as milk, some as sleek and
dark as ebony. All were beautiful, all intelligent . . . and all studied him
with poise and anticipation.
Knowing his friend as he did, Leto was not surprised to see Rhombur pause in
front of a rather plain-looking girl with wide-set sepia eyes and mousy brown
hair cut as short as a man's. She met Rhombur's appraisal without looking away,
without feigning a demure reaction as some of the others had done. Leto noted
the faintest smile curving her lips upward.
"Her name is Tessia," the Mother Superior said. "A very intelligent, talented
young woman. She can recite the ancient classics perfectly, and plays several
musical instruments."
Rhombur tilted her chin up, looked into her dark brown eyes. "But can you laugh
at a joke? And tell an even better one in return?"
"Clever wordplay, my Lord?" Tessia answered. "Do you prefer a distressingly bad
pun, or a joke so bawdy it'll make your cheeks burn?"
Rhombur guffawed with delight. "This one!" As he touched Tessia's arm, she
stepped out of line and walked with him for the first time. Leto was pleased to
see his friend so happy, but his heart was heavy as well, considering his own
lack of a relationship. Rhombur often did things on impulse, but had the
fortitude to make them turn out right.
"Come here, children," Harishka said in a solemn tone. "Stand before me and bow
your heads." They did so, holding hands.
With a paternal frown, Leto stepped forward to straighten Rhombur's collar and
brushed an offending wrinkle from his shoulder pad. The Ixian Prince flushed,
then mumbled his thanks.
Harishka continued, "May you both lead long, productive lives and enjoy each
other's honorable company. You are now bound. If, in years to come, you should
choose to marry and seal the bond beyond concubinage, you have the blessings of
the Bene Gesserit. If you are not satisfied with Tessia, she may return here to
the Mother School."
Leto was surprised to witness so many ceremonial trappings in what was,
fundamentally, a business agreement. By Courier from Caladan, he had already
agreed upon a range of prices. Still, Mother Superior's words imbued the
relationship with some structure and established a foundation for good things to
come.
"Prince Rhombur, this is a special woman, trained in ways that may surprise you.
Heed her advice, for Tessia is wise beyond her years." Mother Superior stepped
back.
Tessia leaned forward to whisper in Rhombur's ear, and the exiled Prince
laughed. Looking at his friend, he said, "Tessia has an interesting idea.
Leto, why don't you select a concubine for yourself? There's plenty to choose
from." He gestured toward the other Acolytes. "That way you won't have to keep
making eyes at my sister!"
Leto blushed furiously. His long-standing attraction to Kailea must be obvious,
though he had taken steps over the years to conceal it. He had refused to take
her to his bed, torn as he was by the demands of ducal duty and the admonitions
of his father.
"I've had other lovers, Rhombur. You know that. City and village girls find
their Duke attractive enough. There's no shame in it -- and I can maintain my
honor with your sister."
Rhombur rolled his eyes. "So, some fisherman's daughter from the docks is good
enough for you, but my sister isn't?"
"That's not it at all. I do this out of respect for House Vernius, and for
you."
Harishka broke in, "I am afraid the women we have brought here are not suitable
for Duke Atreides. These have been selected for compatibility with Prince
Rhombur." Her prunish lips smiled. "Nonetheless, other arrangements might be
made. . . ." She glanced up at an interior balcony, as if someone were watching
them in concealment from above.
"I am not here for a concubine," Leto said gruffly.
"Uh, he's the independent sort," Rhombur said to Mother Superior, then raised
his eyebrows at Tessia. "What are we to do with him?"
"He knows what he wants, but does not know to admit it to himself," Tessia said
with a clever smile. "A bad habit for a Duke."
Rhombur patted Leto on the back. "See, she's already giving good advice. Why
don't you just take Kailea as your concubine and be done with it, Leto? I'm
growing tired of your schoolboy angst. It's certainly within your rights and,
uh, we, both know it's the best she can aspire to be."
With an uneasy laugh, Leto dismissed the idea, though he had considered it many
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