The Will of the Empress - By Tamora Pierce Page 0,34

the subtlety to appreciate the artistry in this. But do you know, I am virtually certain the Yanjing ambassador is someone of culture and wit. And he — it's a he?" Rizu and Ishabal both nodded. "I'll bet the ambassador misses Yanjing," Sandry continued. "A noble from their realm ... well, he's probably the best person in Namorn to appreciate this cloth. I am certain he would be deeply grateful if Your Imperial Majesty would grant him this piece of his homeland as a sign of affection." Sandry didn't have her old connection to her friends, but she didn't need it to feel them relax around her. They, too, had sensed that something about the cloth was very wrong.

Berenene laughed and clapped her hands as Ishabal nodded to Sandry. "Wonderful, Cousin! You have solved our dilemma most delightfully. Rizu, see it done right away." As Rizu left them with the cloth, the empress told a young man who hovered nearby, "Jak, you silly boy, stop pretending you aren't interested. Clehame Sandrilene fa Toren, may I present Saghad Jakuben fer Pennun? Jak is one of my dearest young friends. He's also your neighbour, near your estates outside the town of Kilcoin."

Sandry knew she had passed the test. She smiled and extended her hand to a very attractive young man. Big, broad-shouldered, with crow's-wing black hair and bright chestnut eyes, he was delightfully handsome, with an infectious smile. He kissed her fingertips. "Hello, fair neighbour," he said in an engaging, boyish voice. "If you ever wish to borrow a cup of honey, I will be glad to oblige, though a creature as sweet as you will probably never run out."

"I know what that is," Sandry retorted, having heard variations on this theme since she had moved into her uncle Vedris's home. "That's flattery. Don't do it again, please."

Jak pouted and looked at the empress. "Great lady, you said I did flattery well."

"You did before today," Berenene told him with a catlike smile. "I fear our cousin has bowled you over and made you clumsy."

"But I can't admit to it," protested Jak. "She'll just say I'm flattering again."

Sandry giggled and retrieved her hand since Jak had yet to let go of it. "Don't admit to it," she advised. "You've almost returned to my good graces."

As if responding to an invisible signal, others moved in to be introduced, including more handsome young men who had paid attention to Jak's greeting and avoided his mistake. Everyone also greeted Daja, Briar, and Tris. Berenene watched them all with the amusement of an aunt supervising beloved nieces and nephews. When the noblemen began to argue over who would bring Sandry tea and who could fetch her a plate of delicacies to nibble on, Sundry curled her lips in a wry smile. If only Uncle could see me now, she thought. Not that he'd have much use for these pretty courtiers. When Uncle sees a strong young man idling about, he puts him to work. And only think, a week ago I was riding in the mountains, wishing I could sew my sisters' and brother's mouths shut to stop them from arguing!

As Jak brought her tea, Berenene ordered Quenaill to fetch Sandry a chair. Once Sandry took her seat with a word of thanks, Finlach fer Hurich offered her a plate of tiny dumplings, fresh strawberries, and marzipan roses. Redheaded, with a handsome face composed entirely of carved angles, he rivalled Jak for looks. As he and Jak hovered around Sandry, she noticed that they glanced frequently toward Berenene. She was about to demand that they decide who they wanted to talk to when she saw the mage Ishabal and another older woman whispering together and looking in her direction.

It hit her like fireworks: These are my cousin's choices, Sandry realized. She's picked Jak and Finlach as the ones she wants to court and marry the heiress if they can. Uncle warned me she'd try this. If I wed a Namornese nobleman, I stop taking my income to Emelan. My wealth stays here.

Sandry veiled her eyes with her lashes as she bit into an early strawberry. So the summer's game of snare-the-heiress begins, she thought cynically. It will be interesting to see how they try to do it, especially now that they know I don't care for flattery.

She sighed. I hope they're entertaining, at least. Otherwise I'm going to be very bored until it's time to go home.

*

After an hour of further mingling, Berenene proclaimed it was too