0154

"He's such a cold fish," Mary said to Sol. "You'll join me on a visit to Mina's little whore house, right?"

"Yes, I think I will.

"But Sabastian is far from a cold fish. There is much more to him than meets the eye."

"Yes, he's grumpy."

"You joke, but I think you see it, too," Sol said. "Anyway, I'm going to my room to read. Have a good night."

"What the hell am I gonna do alone down here?" Mary asked.

"That's up to you," Sol answered as he walked out of the living room.

"Sol," she yelled after him, "where is Mina's brothel?"

"It's on the Post Road in the next town over. I believe it's called the Gisha House. Be careful, I'm not sure that Sabastian will come to save you should Mina decide to do something to you."

"I don't need his protection."

Looking back into the room, Sol said, "Don't fool yourself. We both need him far more than he needs us."

After Sol went upstairs, Mary, bored and unable to contain her curiosity, quickly left to find Mina's brothel. Before going to his room, Sol stopped in to see Susan and Sabastian. Sabastian was just putting the covers on the little girl when he walked in.

"Now that you are tucked in, what book would you like?" Sabastian asked.

"I don't want a book tonight. I'm just gonna think."

"That sounds good," Sabastian said. "I will kiss you goodnight and let you think."

"May I kiss the princes goodnight, too?" Sol asked from the doorway.

"Yes," Susan replied happily, turning a cheek for him. He walked to her bed and, with a great flourish, bent down and kissed her. "Your hands aren't as pretty as they were before."

"Excuse me?" Sol said.

"Your hands aren't as shiny as they were."

"I don't..." Sol stopped and smiled. "You go to bed and we'll talk about my hands tomorrow."

"O.K."

"Goodnight child," Sabastian said, walking out of the room and flipping the light switch. Sol was directly behind him.

"I think Mary is off to talk to Mina," Sol said once they were in the hall.

"Mary is free to do as she wishes so long as she does not endanger Susan. The same is true for you.

"Besides, it may actually keep her occupied for awhile. She is clearly bored with you and I."

"Yes, but I hope she doesn't stumble into something bigger than she can handle. I don't know much about Mina's clan, as she has always been very secretive.

"Thomas always treated her with respect and so did Elizabeth. I assumed there was a prior relationship, but I don't really know. I'm just worried that she has ulterior motives."

"I am sure her motives are not pure. But that is Mary's affair, not mine. So long as Mina does not endanger Susan, she can do whatever she likes."


[Copyright Reuben Gregg Brewer, 2005. All rights reserved.]
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