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"Thank you," Pia said. "Would you like to see the sitting room while the men finish whatever business they have? There's no need for us all to stand in the hall."
From the other side of the crowd, Talin spoke up. "She doesn't leave my sight," he told his mother.
"It's just the drawing room," his oldest sister countered.
Talin shook his head and lifted his hand, summoning me back to his side. "Sorry, Lina. Take Mama to sit, would you, and we'll stop by in a minute."
I made my way back to my guardian like a called dog. But he surprised me when he wrapped his arm around my shoulders so casually. His brother noticed, but they weren't the only people in the hall. There were at least three other women and two more men. All of them had paused to look at me.
"Talin," Tath said, "does this mean you'll be locked away with the women all week?"
"Of course not," Talin assured him. "I was actually going to suggest we find the study." Then he looked down at me. "Whiskey, my dear?"
"I'd love some, unless there's port?"
"There's always port," he promised.
Tath just stared at me in awe. "Have you experienced either drink before, Priestess?"
I glanced back, making sure that all of the women were heading into the room at the end of the hall. "Lord Ranndor," I said, looking back when I was sure my words wouldn't be overheard, "I am a priestess, not a lady. I live with three men. I can drink my partner under the table. I assure you, I am neither frail nor easily shocked."
"I see." He lifted his eyes to Talin. "And you have no problems with your ward knowing our family business?"
"I actually think she may have insights," Talin assured him. "Nari, it seems my brother's worried about making a proper marriage for my youngest sister."
I nodded. "Well, Yamina is beautiful, and young enough that she's not ready for a man's bed. I'd suggest introducing her to society, though, since she seems to be flamboyant enough to draw attention. Allow her to gather a collection of suitors, use those relationships to increase the business contracts, and then encourage her to marry either the most wealthy - depending on the house financial status - or the most powerful."
Tath smiled at me, not afraid to show he was impressed. "No thoughts about her marrying for love?" he asked.
"Love is a thing that cannot be predicted, Baron. It happens or it does not. It also is quick to fade and easily confused with lust." I lifted my chin, holding his gaze. "And men are just as susceptible to it as women. Usually when chasing something you cannot have. The more you're teased with the thing you desire most, the more you decide that it's a challenge. The sort of thing based in pride, not love. The end result is still the same. Your sister will marry for love if you allow her to be seen. I promise that any man who lays eyes on her will fall fast, and she will then be able to pick which one best suits her family's needs."
Tath chuckled. "Port, you said?" And he gestured to the side room. The one visible through the open archway. "Talin, I had the staff put your things in your old room. Should I have the Priestess roomed beside you?"
"With," Talin said.
That made one of the other men suck in a breath. "That's improper," he grumbled.
"Thiemo, did you not notice that our brother is now a eunuch?" Tath teased.
"Oh, I assure you he's not," I said without stopping.
The study was an elegant room decorated in wood and leather. The paintings on the walls were mostly of hunting, but nothing was graphic. On the near wall, lining the entrance, was a massive fireplace with multiple logs crackling inside it. Set before it was a trio of couches with a table between them. On that was a silver platter with three crystal decanters.
"Sit," Talin told me, reaching for a glass to pour me a drink. "Whiskey, brothers?"
"Port," the one named Thiemo said.
The other two agreed to the whiskey. As Talin poured, he introduced them. Tath was the oldest. Thiemo was a bit less than a year younger than him. Talin was the third oldest, and Kanten had only just turned eighteen, making him the baby.
"Ran out of names that start with T?" I teased him.
The young man laughed. "I think so," he agreed. "Although, in the five years between myself and Talin, Mother lost three boys. All were named, so most likely."
"Our father," Talin said, claiming the place beside me, "was Tarben. It's tradition in the family for the heirs to have some aspect of their father's name. My grandfather was Arben, so it's not always the first letter."
Tath just waved that away. "Back to your room. Priestess, wouldn't you rather have a space to yourself? Someplace where you won't have to listen to my brother fart in his sleep?"
"But then who would listen to me fart?" I asked. "Lord - "
