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“But I don’t want some foolish knave!”
“I’m not speaking of knaves, but virile men.”
Only now was the girl’s interest roused. “And who might they be?”
“What kind would you like?”
The maid considered a moment.
“One who is constant, strong, determined—and very attractive.”
“And you care about his fidelity?”
“What is fidelity but a joke in this country? Just as long as he doesn’t lie. Most importantly, he must adore me.”
Charlotte’s face lit seeing the conversation going exactly as she hoped.
“Well, then, why not seek the most profound of all Ilusian men, Mountbane himself? I’ve even heard the lord raves about your beauty!”
“He does?” she looked shocked.
“Yes.”
“But he is your husband,” Rosaura reminded her.
“Yes, and we’ve been estranged for some months. Our marriage has hopelessly disintegrated.”
“Then how would you know his fancy now?” Rosaura asked suspiciously.
“In some matters I still have his ear. And, I know the man’s mind and cock very well. I can tell when he’s smitten.” She whispered this news quietly as though someone would overhear.
“A Lord of Ilusia smitten by a woman! They use women, they don’t love them!”
“But that doesn’t make them beyond love. They are human, strange as it seems. And they have feelings—though they might be hidden deeply.”
“This is difficult to believe.”
“You’re much too young to be so cynical.”
“But Lord Mountbane?”
“Yes, even he. And think what a fine man he is, what power, what handsomeness! He is the most ardent lover.”
“And yet, he requires such submissiveness.”
“In which there is such beauty,” Charlotte swooned.
“I have yearned for these things,” Rosaura said with a shy blush.
“Have you?” Yes, this was good.
“I know the desire of my kinsmen, but I know so little. Father has kept me cloistered so I pant with need sometimes. I would have with Leonas… ”
“And you’ll have much more than you would have had with Leonas when you have a man, not a boy.”
“But can I make myself to Mountbane’s liking?”
“You can learn. And the learning would be simple if you have the temperament for submission.”
