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He grew suddenly more somber "It is unfair in some ways, Nevare I know that To be absolutely correct, he should have returned her letters, unopened, to me To have read them and to have them about the barracks, well, it exposes her reputation to dispute I’m a bit surprised that he would accept such tokens of affection from a mere child But it does speak well of his intentions that he asked his brother to approachthe et our letters, yours and et the letters fro Lord Kester is a response to his request that his soldier brother be allowed to court hter But I will also de to young Spink, to incite such a battle frenzy in Daraleen I should have sensed there was so behind her sudden de school And Mistress Pintor’s Finishing Conservatory at that! It is very expensive, despite its remote location And I shall sit doith Epiny as well, to explain to her the courtesies that are proper between a girl and a young man, for I’m sure she has no concept of what she has done Doubtless she thought to befriend him and no more than that If all is as I expect it is, I myself will contact Colonel Stiet, to see that Spink is restored to his good standing at the Academy Does that put your mind at ease?"

I scarcely could say yes, for I feared what he ht find in Epiny’s letter to Spink I had not yet knownto persuade her father that she was far too young to be considered a young lady But I kept that thought to myself and only thanked my uncle and shook his hand Before he released e, I ht even look favorably upon a suitor of Spink’s quality He see man, and that is a trait I think my Epiny will sorely need in a husband" But even as my spirits rose with hope, he added, "But he would not fit at all with my lady’s political ambitions, I fear I doubt she would ever assent to Epiny becoed to any new noble’s son"

I was incredulous "My aunt has political ambitions? I do not understand" How could a woman hope to coht she would seek a wealthy suitor for Epiny, or someone of a fine old family-"

I think my uncle sensed the whole of my question for he shook his head at me "And you think that is social rather than political? You have much to learn, Nevare Or would, if you were a first son Soldier sons are blessedly immune to such machinations Here in Old Thares and especially at court, the wives of lords have a society of their oith a hierarchy of power and alliances that seem far more complicated to me than the simple politics of the Council of Lords chamber Epiny and Purissa are the coin my lady will spend to secure her position, if you wish to put it crassly With them, she will buy alliances with other noble houses There have already been inquiries about both hters I have made it plain that I choose to wait until they are women before I decide I would have them marry well, but also to men whorow to love Colonel Stiet has irls as a match for Caulder But Lady Burvelle hopes to find first sons for both of them, and as determined is she is, I suspect she will succeed"

"But-" I began, but my uncle held up a hand

"It’s too cold out here to discuss anything er than I intended, and you’ve givento bed If I’hts-out in the halls Clear your mind of your worries for now, or rather, think only on preparing for your exa about Write to me, and rest assured that if I do not hear from you on a daily basis, I’ll be back"

And with that he was gone, sta his feet to ware I becaone numb I hurried up the steps of Carneston House and reported to Sergeant Rufet on the desk, for I was returning to the dormitory a bit late He excused me when he heard I’d had a family visitor, and I hurried up the di, I found Spink perched on his chair, holding his math text to the wall sconce He looked ten years older than he had at the start of the year

"My uncle summoned me," I said without prea my letters"