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"Beloved," he says

He passes the whip to the Senior House Steho dogs his heels, then strides across the expensiveher hands, he examines her face as if to assure himself that she is well and healthy or aze drops to the vast swell of her belly and he nods, acknowledging the obvious

She says, "Welcome home, my lord"

Her tone is as unruffled as the sea on a windless day She is the ocean, too deep to fathom

Father releases her hands as he turns to address the Senior House Steward "I require a bath, after which the Doma and I will dine in our private rooms"

Then, of course, he walks back to the entrance and sweeps the curtain aside to go in

Mother says, "My lord, your daughters await your greeting and your blessing"

He blinks, as if he has just remembered that we exist After a moment’s consideration, he walks over to us We line up in order of age

He kisses Maraya on the brow "Maraya, you are well?"

"Yes, Father I have memorized the fifth set of Precepts for the Archives exam Do you think the Archivists will allow lances down at her feet His eyes alhts off a frown

Of all of us girls, Maraya resembles Father most in looks except for the one accursed flaw: every other Patron man would have smothered at birth an infant born with a clubfoot When he is not hoht linen sock over the splint

"I alearas I hide the foot in public" I admire Maraya for the way she reh to actually listen to her She never shows the least sign of resentment "No suitable man can offer to marry me A position as an Archivist at the Royal Archives would be both respectable and secure"

"True enough You have studied diligently, Maraya I will think about it"

With that, she wins the first round