Page 93 of My Five Daddies

“What else can I say?” She shrugs and sighs. “I’ll believe it when I seeit.”

“There’s a maid here, an American girl named Hazel. I offered her the standard dowry if she’ll agree to marry me and have mykid.”

That gets her attention. “A marriagedowry?”

“Mistress dowry,” I correct with a grin. “We’ll marry, but the terms will be more like amistress.”

She hesitates for a second. “Interesting,” she admits. “You want to have a political marriage. Honestly, Nolan, I didn’t think you were capable ofit.”

“What do youmean?”

“That sort of thing is a classic example of castle politics.” She smiles and gestures for me to sit. I join her back on the couch reluctantly. “You haven’t exactly been interested in playing ball at court for a longtime.”

“I may be late, but you now I’mcapable.”

“Oh, I know,” she says. “Truthfully, I like your plan. It’ll show your father that you’reserious.”

I look at her, a little surprised. I expected her to disagree with me, try and get me to find a woman that I really love to marry. She’s always supported me that way, always wanted what’s best for me. But if she’s accepting this political gambit, things must be pretty bad rightnow.

“But why an American girl?” she asks me. “Why not a good Poloviangirl?”

I laugh and grin at her. “She’s great, mother. You’ll likeher.”

“Did sheagree?”

“Not yet,” I admit. “But shewill.”

“Careful, Nolan. American girls aren’t like girls from around here. They’re not impressed by fancytitles.”

“I think you’re right about that,” I say, smiling to myself. “But maybe I like that abouther.”

“Don’t get too attached,” my mother warns. “You’re in for a war. You can’t afforddistractions.”

I nod and drink my vodka. “You’re right about that.” I stand up and put the glass back on thetray.

“I’m glad you’re back,” she says. “Things haven’t been the same at court since you left. And I’m sure your father is happy about it,too.”

“Is he?” I ask her. “I doubtit.”

“Your father loves you,” she says, a little exasperated. She’s been in the middle of our relationship for a very long time, and I’m sure she’s sick of it. “Even if he loves you in his own way. He wants what’s best for you, like Ido.”

“I’m sure,” I say, and turn toward the door. “I’ll come visit again soon. I want to go see Andrew about drawing up somepapers.”

She smiles and nods, standing. “Good luck with the girl,” shesays.

“Thanks,mother.”

I open the door and leave. That went better than expected. I honestly thought she would try and talk me out ofit.

I have an ominous feeling as I pass through the halls. My mother clearly thinks something is going on with Julian, something she doesn’t like, and she’s willing to let me make a political marriage if that means I can combat whatever it is he’s doing. It must be bad if she wouldn’t even talk about it to me. I’m going to have to do some research and get to the bottom ofit.

I stop outside of Andrew’s door and knock loudly. I don’t wait for him to respond before pushing open the door and steppinginside.

He looks up from his desk with a frown. “I have no privacy in this place,” hemutters.

“I need your help,” I say tohim.

“Of course you do.” He sighs and leans back. “What’s up,Nolan?”

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