An Indecent Proposal

by Jaleta Clegg

  "Thank you, my day sounds so much better."

  "You don't have to be sarcastic."

  "Don't they ever get tired of gossiping?"

  "It's their reason for getting out of bed in the morning."

  I sighed. I had a job to do. I had a part to play. And I had to play it well. I reached for the inner balance I'd found that morning. I could do this. "What do you suggest I wear?"

  "The gold and peach dress for lunch," Hester suggested. "And the blue for the shower. Tonight you need to wear something formal."

  "My uniform?"

  "Or the black dress. Except it isn't fitted yet. I'll find you a retired admiral's stars." She turned to leave.

  "Thank you, Hester."

  She stopped and studied me a long moment. I'd meant it when I thanked her. I'd never survive in this vicious social circle without her help.

  "You're welcome," she said with a smile.

  I ate the rest of my breakfast in solitude.

  I was combing out hair wet from the bath when Hester knocked at my door again.

  "You have a visitor."

  I stopped, the comb raised to my hair. Not Vance or she would have said. He probably would have followed her up to my room, despite the possible scandal.

  "He's waiting downstairs."

  "Is it someone I want to see?" I couldn't think of anyone who would come calling, not at this unfashionable hour of the morning. Most of the people I knew would still be sleeping off last night's party.

  "I can't answer that for you." She opened my closet. She pulled out the peach dress and held it up.

  I took it and pulled it on. It was closely fitted, with a high collar and short sleeves. The skirt was embroidered with delicately twining vines picked out in gold. It was tight and long, with a slit up the side so I could walk. I fastened the looping fasteners, twisted gold cords, down the front. Hester handed me a pair of embroidered shoes that matched. They fit, they should after the amount of money I paid to have them custom made.

  Hester pushed me back into the chair and quickly pulled my hair into a knot on top of my head. She skewered it with long polished sticks made for that purpose. I spent the briefest amount of time I could brushing colors over my face. I used as little makeup as I could, mostly because I didn't really like it, partly because I wasn't that good at putting it on. But it would be too scandalous to show up with a naked face. I bent that far to fashion dictates.

  "Tell me something about him," I begged Hester when I was done. I was nervous, unsure of who to expect.

  "He's young. He was very polite. And very insistent about seeing you. He claims to know you. He said he was your cousin." She waited for my reaction.

  I very carefully kept my face bland. "If he's my cousin, I should go see him."

  "He's down in the library."

  She followed me down the wide staircase and into the dark library. I didn't expect less. Leaving me unchaperoned with anyone was unthinkable. I smiled the socially correct smile and waited for the man to turn around.

  He stood with his hands clasped behind him, staring at the wide shelves of actual books. He had dark hair and wore a conservative tunic, though it was still fashionably green. That was the color of the season, or so I'd been told last night at the party. The man turned around. He grinned mischievously.

  "Cousin," I said, smiling sincerely. I crossed the room quickly. And cursed myself because I had no idea what Scholar's real name was. Calling him Scholar would sound silly, and be a bit suspicious to anyone listening.

  Scholar took my hands and stopped me, looking me over. There was approval in his eyes when he met mine again. "Nice to know you haven't forgotten your old cousin Henry. Now that you're moving in such rarified circles. Engaged to the Second Speaker, no less."

  "Yes, I'm completely ecstatic over it. Henry," I added.

  He caught the bite in my tone and dropped my hands.

  "Have you eaten yet?" I wasn't so sure I was happy to see him. He worked for Lowell. He would never have come just out of friendship.

  "I ate at the space port. My shuttle landed very early this morning."

  "And how long will you be in town?"

  He shrugged. "I'm a bit at loose ends just now. I thought I'd hang around and keep you company. When your beau isn't."

  My smile went stiff. "Vance had work this morning. Running the Empire takes such a lot of it."

  "I'd imagine so." Scholar turned back to the books. "Actual paper books. What a rarity. Does anyone read them, I wonder?"

  "They're too busy gossiping."

  "Do I detect a little bit of anger there?" He glanced sideways at me.

  "It was easier when I could just shoot people who annoyed me," I said quietly. Hester was still on the other side of the room.

  Scholar threw his head back and laughed. "It's good to see you again, Dace," he said when he finished. "Do you think your watchdog will mind if I take you someplace for lunch?"

  "I'm already booked."

  "Duchess Isolde invited you and Vance," Hester said from her post near the door. "Since Vance is otherwise occupied, perhaps your cousin would like to escort you."

  "What about it, Henry?" I asked.

  "Sounds absolutely delightful," Scholar said.

  "Good, we're leaving in about five minutes," I said. "You can take me shopping or something first. The luncheon isn't until eleven."

  "My pleasure," Scholar said. He wanted to talk to me alone. He had something to tell me I wasn't going to want to hear.

  "I'll have Olin fetch the flitter," Hester said.

  "We'll be sure to behave," Scholar called after her.

  She smiled knowingly at him. She left the door to the library open.

  "She suspects me, doesn't she?" he asked as her footsteps faded down the hall outside.

  "She knows I don't have any cousins."

  "Does anyone else?"

  "Vance and probably the Speaker. Other than that, I don't know."

  "It was the only ruse I could think of that would get me in here to see you. They have you guarded more closely than the Emperor's private lingerie."

  "Henry?" I asked him.

  "My real name, believe it or not. Henrius Grey, at your service." He gave me a half bow, with a grin that mocked the custom. "You do look really nice."

  "I feel like a child's doll. Why are you here, Scholar?"

  "Not here," he said, all humor gone from his face.

  I nodded. "Where?"

  "I know a private park where the flowers are always in bloom," he said, nodding towards the door. Hester had returned. "It's right next to the world's best dressmaker shop, or so my sister swears."

  "Sounds perfect," I said.

  "The flitter is waiting," Hester said. "Do you wish me to accompany you?"

  "I'll be fine with my cousin."

  Hester nodded. She knew he wasn't my cousin. Her look told me as much. She knew who I was and what I did for the Patrol. She suspected a lot about Scholar. But she said nothing.

  I took Scholar's arm and led him out of the library and to the front of the house. Olin waited for us there.

  "You'll take care, miss?" he asked me.

  "Of course, Olin."

  "Tell Commander Lowell hello for me," Olin said to Scholar. "You can trust us to keep your secret."

  "Henry is my cousin," I told Olin.

  "As you say, miss," Olin said smoothly as he opened the flitter door for us. "Enjoy your day."

  I let Olin help me into the flitter while Scholar crossed to the other door. He slid in beside me and thumbed the controls, tapping in a destination. Olin shut the door and we were off.

  "I could get used to this level of luxury," Scholar said as he leaned back.

  "I'd rather have the Phoenix. Why are you really here?"

  "To try to protect you, Dace. You're playing with dangerous people."

  "I know."

  "Why?"

  "Because Lowell's people asked me to. And I couldn't say no."

  "Wha
t did they use against you?"

  "They agreed to find Tayvis for me if I found the conspiracy for them."

  "Tayvis is missing?"

  "He walked out on me." I couldn't help the tremor in my voice. "When Vance announced he was marrying me, Tayvis left.Without a word."

  Scholar didn't say anything. He put his arm around me and pulled me close. I leaned my head on his shoulder and concentrated on not crying. I'd done too much of that. We flew in silence for a while.

  "Did you know we're being followed?" Scholar asked.

  "It's probably the vid news people again. They watch every move I make."

  "Then let's give them a scandal to report."

  "I've caused enough already," I said, sitting up and pushing away from him.

  "I read about your pregnancy, and your list of previous lovers. And all sorts of speculation about what you really do for the Patrol. I haven't laughed so hard in years."

  "It isn't funny if it's about you."

  "Yes, it is. Admit it, it was funny."

  "I didn't read more than the headlines. Hester hasn't shown me any for several days now."

  "And it's driving them crazy trying to figure out who you really are and why Vance is so attached to you."

  "Good." I sat back in the seat. "So you warned me, Scholar. Are you going to disappear again? Back to help Lowell?"

  "He's going to need it, but no, I'm staying here with you."

  "Where is Lowell?" I asked mostly out of idle curiosity.

  Scholar shook his head. "He left Besht just before the arrest warrants arrived. He's a wanted man and I have no idea where he went."

  "They framed him again?"

  Scholar shrugged. "Paltronis was with him. I'm not too worried. He can take care of himself."

  "And I can't?"

  "Dace, if it were a shooting war, I'd hand you a blast rifle and let you win. But it isn't. This is a game of words and lies. And they play for keeps. It won't be as obvious as a hired thug with a gun. They'll use other means to remove you if they ever suspect you."

  "I know that. As soon as I find anything to give Commander Leighton, I'm passing it on and leaving. And no one is going to stop me."

  "What about your wedding?"

  "What about it? Vance didn't bother to ask before he announced it, he can deal with it when I leave unannounced."

  He gave me a startled look. "The one thing the vids never question is that you two are madly in love."

  "It's all an act, Scholar."

  "And Vance?"

  "He's playing his own game. I'm not sure what it is. He might be involved."

  "And he might not."

  I hunched into my seat.

  "Dace, this isn't your kind of game."

  "I know. But I don't have a choice."

  "That's why I'm here. To make sure you survive playing."

  "Thanks, Scholar."

  "Don't mention it."

  The flitter descended towards a cluster of buildings. Greenery covered every rooftop, a series of tiny private gardens.

  "How's Doggo?" I asked.

  "Last I heard he was flying a fighter for the Federation. I tried to make sure he'd end up on supply runs, but my contacts in the Federation aren't that high up."

  "Send a message to Roland and put my name on it."

  Scholar stared at me as the flitter settled with a slight bump. "You know Roland, the president of the Federation?"

  "I picked stickers out of his butt once," I said with a grin. "Remind him of that and I'm sure he'll put Doggo somewhere safe."

  Scholar shook his head, at a loss for words.

  "And you thought you knew all about me. There are some things I don't think Lowell knows, either, so don't feel too bad."

  "I think I underestimated you. Dangerous mistake."

  "For them, not for you."

  He opened the door. "The flowers really are nice here." He held out his hand in invitation.

  I got out, using his hand. I had to with the stupid dress. I showed off a lot of leg getting out. He pretended not to see.

  "The pink ones this way are particularly nice," he said as he led me into a shaded area under spreading trees.

  "And they do a nice job of blocking the hovering cameras."

  "And there's a privacy field around this lovely bench," he said. "Don't worry, it is one of the best. I designed it myself. So subtle, they'll never suspect."

  "Who owns this lovely garden?" I asked as I took a seat on the bench.

  "One of Lowell's friends."

  "I didn't think he had any."

  "He does. But right now, it's dangerous to admit even knowing him. You played it smart, convincing the Patrol you were there to fight about your resignation. The rumor is that you're so mad at Lowell, he had better be good at ducking if he ever runs into you again."

  I sighed, feeling the weight of deceit heavy on me. "I really do like him, Scholar. Even when I'm so mad at him I can't see straight."

  "He lost his focus where you're concerned. Which is one reason I'm here and he's not." He sat beside me. "What do you have so far?"

  "Commander Leighton told me someone is involved who is so high up they can't touch him. Or her. So far, I have no idea who might be involved."

  "The Speaker?"

  I shook my head. "He has nothing to gain and everything to lose. Besides, he and the Emperor are friends. He as much as told me he knows why I'm here. He wants the conspiracy stopped."

  "What about his staff? That woman and the old man?"

  "Hester and Olin? Olin, definitely not. Hester, I don't know, but I doubt it. Olin says I can trust her."

  "And can you trust Olin?"

  "He knows, Scholar. And yes, I do trust him. He cheats very well at cards. Almost as blatantly as I do."

  "Well that is definitely a recommendation I'd stake my life on."

  I had to smile. "Lowell cheats at cards, but he's really bad at it."

  Scholar laughed.

  "What are we really doing here?"

  "I'm trying to help you, Dace."

  "If you really want to help, you can dress up and go dance with Vance tonight."

  His grin turned wicked. "That would really get them gossiping."

  "And blow my cover. It was a nice fantasy."

  "What do you want me to do?"

  "I have no idea. I don't know what I'm doing."

  "Who's on your short list?"

  I shook my head. "Start with anyone with more clout than a fleet admiral. Someone mentioned it might be High Command."

  "That fits. Lowell was relieved of command. I'll see what I can find out about the High Command. Anyone else?"

  I gave him a short list of names of people I'd met. I didn't really suspect any of them, but they were people in positions that would give them access to information and supplies and people who might be connected to a plot to destroy the Empire.

  "I have to warn you," Scholar told me when I finished, "there's evidence that the crime syndicates are involved. There have been shots fired, ships destroyed. Everything points towards the Federation, but I know they've been attacked by fake Patrol ships."

  "Blackthorne's shipyards? I was on one of their ships. Almost a Patrol cruiser, but not quite. Close enough to fool most people. They locked me in the systems router room."

  Scholar looked puzzled.

  "I'm an engineer, too, Scholar. I spent more hours than I want to remember in systems router rooms on Patrol cruisers. I know Patrol standard."

  "I'm curious to see you act like a society lady," Scholar said. "You do everything else so well. Is there anything you don't do?"

  "I don't dance."

  "I'll wait to see if you're telling the truth. Dancing is just like fighting, only more civilized."

  "Ask Vance about bruises. Fighting is more civilized. You don't have to be nice about kicking someone in the shins."

  "I'll have to write that down." He pulled out a slender pad and spread it over one palm. His fingers twitched over the sur
face.

  "What happened to your old computer?" I asked. He had a flexible pad and did all his data manipulation through a personalized interface that was all colors.

  "I retired it for this new one. Less obtrusive," he said. "But there are times I miss the old one." His fingers twitched some more. "That should start things moving. Shall we go to lunch?"

  "I'd rather grease stabilizer bearings," I said with a sweet smile.

  "It will be fun, Dace. Think of the gossip we can start."

  I laughed and took his arm. Somehow things looked much brighter with Scholar on my side.

  Chapter 21

  The luncheon was enjoyable, more because Scholar was there than any other reason. The women were horrid, gossiping viciously and making snide remarks at each other. The men, the few that were there, stayed mostly to themselves, except for Scholar. He charmed the women to the point that they were only mildly rude to him. I kept my face bland and smiled and pretended I didn't notice the whispers about me.

  It was midafternoon when the flitter touched down in front of the Speaker's mansion. I made no move to get out.

  "You want to come to a bridal shower with me?" I asked, trying to keep the plaintive note out of my voice and failing miserably.

  Scholar patted my hand sympathetically. "I see why you hate this so much. Those women were unbelievable."

  "They were almost nice today. Scholar, I can't do this."

  "Yes, you can, Dace. You have to. You're the only one Lowell has."

  "The only one he still trusts, you mean."

  "To put it bluntly, yes." He reached for the door latch. "Look, I'll see what I can find on these people tonight. I'll stop by to see you tomorrow."

  "I'll look forward to it."

  He swung the door open. "Oh, I almost forgot, Lowell wants me to ask you how you're feeling."

  "A little stiff sometimes. It's nothing, really." I looked away from him, towards the towering city stretching to every horizon. "Thanks for being there on Tivor."

  "You'll be fine, Dace. Just imagine them in their underwear."

  I couldn't help smiling at that comment. "Clark told me to do that once."

  "It worked, didn't it?" He climbed out of the flitter and walked out through the gated entrance to the grounds of the mansion.

  Olin opened my door. I made myself climb out and keep smiling.