to scare her. 'What you say is not exactly unknown to me,Jiro, at least in general. Surely your father need not have sent you from your important transaction to tell me these things,' she ventured, testing. 'A bonded messenger might have sufficed.'
Jiro returned a detached poise. 'This is a family matter,'
he replied. 'My father wished you to understand that the plot within the council is deeply disguised, and clever. He would not compromise his sources by trusting a hired runner. The sending of a bonded guildsman would remain on public record, and watching enemies would know. Desio has paid to have every guildbook in Sulan-Qu open for his inspection. A message from Anasati sources would be too obvious.'Jiro inclined his head with the barest suggestion of irony. 'But none would question an uncle who stops to visit a fatherless nephew.'
'Not even one who interrupts an important transaction to pay social calls on a three-year-old?' Nacoya interceded politely.
Jiro did not even blush, which required commendable control. 'We are none of us in a position to trade accusations, as the First Adviser to my brother's widow should remember. Besides, what harm if Desio thinks we share secrets? He can only imagine what they may be.' His look at Mara was a disturbing mix of covetousness and hatred.
Mara regarded Jiro with a searching stare until he could not but feel uncomfortable. His family had treated Buntokapi as an awkward afterthought; it had been their own neglect of his education that had permitted her an opening to exploit. Although the fact that she had taken advantage of a man's frustrated desires and clumsiness did not make her proud, Mara had reviewed the situation through eyes tempered by regret; she knew she did bear all the guilt by herself.
Tired of Jiro's intensity, and more stung than she dared to admit at his implied slander of Kevin, Mara prompted an end to the visit. 'l thank you for the news of Desio's compromising the commercial guilds - that is valuable to know. And of the Omechan willingness to pander to the Minwanabi. You have done your duty by your father, none could say different. I would not delay you from completing your important transactions in Sulan-Qu.'
Jiro returned the driest smile, and anticipated her closing line. 'Unless I should wish to stay for a meal, which your servants would take elaborate and lengthy pains to prepare?' He inclined his head in the negative. 'Your company has no compare. But I am forced by circumstances to decline. I shall be on my way.'
'Without so much as setting eyes on the fatherless nephew you came to visit,' Nacoya interjected. More pointedly dry than usual, she turned shrewd eyes on her mistress. 'Your guest sets great store by your security, my Lady, that he feels confident no rumours of this will reach the wrong ears.'
Now Jiro did change colour, but his pallor was more due to annoyance than embarrassment. He rose and bowed shortly to Mara. 'I see that the regent for the Acoma heir learns much by keeping the company of sour old women.'
'They keep impertinent young men in their places far more readily than their younger, prettier sisters.' Mara rose also. 'Return my regards to your father, Jiro.'
The fact that the young noble bore no title before his name plainly vexed him no end. Given this insight into what might have motivated his bitterness, Mara saw her guest to the door. He climbed into his litter without once looking back at her, and snapped his curtains closed the instant she completed the obligatory words wishing a departing guest safe journey. As the bearers bore up their haughty burden, and the Anasati soldiers formed into columns and began their departure down the lane, Nacoya sighed with relief.
'Thank the gods you did not marry that one, daughter of my heart. He is much too clever for his own good.'
'He bears me no friendship, that much is certain.' Mara turned back into the cooler shadow of the house, her brows tightened into a frown.
Nacoya regarded her mistress keenly. 'What did you expect, after you chose his younger brother over him ? From the first instant you and Tecuma agreed to your handfast with Buntokapi, that boy began to hate. He considered himself the better candidate for your title, and he will carry that grudge to his dying day. More, he hates doubly because at the root he desires you. He would take you still, should you but allow him your