Page 33 of Bloody Business

“No, see you donate food or clothing to a good cause.You don't marry killers,” she explained, as if he were a little slow.“How did she try to kill you?”

“The balcony again.She wasn't an original thinker, and I made sure to stand next to the rail as often as possible.It took her forever to screw up her courage.Very tiresome.I was plotting ways to make it easier for her, like appearing drunk.”

She opened her mouth, slowly closed it again.“How...?”

“She rushed me when my back was turned and I stepped out of the way.Her momentum carried her over the edge,” he said helpfully.

“No, I was wondering how anyone could be that cold-blooded.She really tried to kill you?”

“She killed all kinds of people.Mostly servants, but no one was safe.Her mother spoiled her and let her do whatever she wanted.”

“Wow.If I ever had kids...”Her voice hitched as she remembered that wasn't likely.

He'd never get a better opening.“I wanted to talk to you about that.You're familiar with the goblin custom of fostering?”he asked gently.“I've made arrangements to foster a child.Well, two, actually.The children are unrelated.”

Children were often targeted in goblin warfare.It had become custom to foster them anonymously to preserve the next generation and build camaraderie between powerful houses.Alliances were often made before children were even born.Julep thought it was a horrible custom, but so was child murder.“Two kids?How old are they?”

“One is seven.Her mother is dying of a wasting disease.They aren't of a particularly powerful family, but her father was an amazing mage.He died in my service last year.”

“Poor kid,” Julep murmured.

“Tragic,” he said briskly.“The other is a boy.He's born of rape, his father is dead and his mother wants nothing to do with him.He was born this morning.”

She winced.

“She's a nobody, but the father belonged to a powerful house.They don't want the kid, but finding him a proper house is part of the restitution.They won't ever claim him, but they will owe us a favor.”

“That's very calculating of you,” she observed.

“I'm a goblin,” he said without apology.“However, the children will benefit from it.You've seen how I treat the children in my house.”

She looked thoughtfully out the window of the carriage.

“They will have nannies, of course.You won't be troubled unless you wish to be.”

She glanced at him.“Is that so?”

“I should also warn you that there will eventually be others.I don't mind children, and they are an easy way to make alliances.”

She sat up straighter.“Really?”

“Really.”He kissed her hand carefully, unsure of her mood.It wouldn't do to take her for granted, but charm rarely hurt.

“And when will these children be arriving?”

“The girl's mother isn't dead yet, of course, but I've transferred them to our house so that the mother can receive care while her daughter gets acclimated.it will be easier for her if we're not strangers.The mother is Va and the girl is called Noemi.

“The boy should be at the house by now, with a nanny in the nursery.He doesn't have a name yet.”

She was cautiously optimistic about meeting the child, but as soon as they got out of the carriage a servant ran up.

“Sir!Rooster is sick.The doctor thinks he's been poisoned.”

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