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“That good, huh?” Ianthe grinned, taking way too much pleasure in her discomfort.
Drifa thought about lying, but what was the point? “I do not consider myself naïve, but I never imagined!”
“I, on the other hand, can imagine. The dolt should know better than to try such nonsense on an inexperienced woman.”
“I’m sure he just wanted to shock me.” And shock me, and shock me, and shock me.
“Were you shocked?”
“For a certainty. Do normal women enjoy such things?” I certainly did, to my shame.
“I am not about to ask you what things you refer to, but I will say this. If two people care about each other, and no one is hurt physically ...” She shrugged. “The things my husband and I used to do! I still blush. And we were virgins together when we wed.”
The difference was that she and Sidroc didn’t “care” for each other.
Or did they?
Rather, did she?
Even if Sidroc did have some faint feelings for her, how would that change when he found out she withheld knowledge of his daughter? She wished there were a way to find out how he would react regarding the child. Certainly, he would be happy that she was still alive, but the big question was whether he would insist on raising her himself. Without her. If only her sisters were here to help her decide the best course to follow!
Hesitantly, she said, “Ianthe, I need your advice about something.”
“Of course.”
“You must promise not to repeat what I tell you.”
“Of course.”
Drifa explained everything, with Ianthe interrupting her with pertinent questions here and there. When she was done, Ianthe summed the situation up succinctly. “What a mess!”
“Do you see what my problem is?”
Ianthe nodded.
“Will Sidroc be so joyous over Runa’s being alive that he will want what is best for her?”
“Meaning: allow the child to live with you?”
She nodded eagerly.
“You cannot be serious.”
Her shoulders drooped. “He will kill me.”
“He will consider it, at least at first.”
“But it was just a misunderstanding.”
“One you have failed to rectify since you arrived in Constantinople.”
She had hoped that Ianthe would reassure her, not be so judgmental. Her sentiments must have shown on her face because Ianthe reached out and squeezed her hand.
“Look at the situation from Sidroc’s perspective. Yes, he insulted you by his marriage proposal, but you struck what could have been a mortal blow to his head. Then when he very well might have been facing death, you left for what he believed was a pleasure journey. After that he discovered that his daughter was gone ... to him, that meant dead. Now, five years later, he meets you again, and the first thing out of your mouth is not, ‘Sidroc! What good news I have for you!’ as it should have been. Now you want him to hand over his daughter to you.”
“That is not the way—”
Ianthe held up both hands to stop Drifa. “Wait. I have spoken of Sidroc’s possible view of the situation. Now, let us look at your view.”
