Snippet #1977279

"James was always considerate of the feelings of just the wrong types of people," Lelinus sighed. Why their father chose him of all people to succeed him was a mystery to him. He cupped her cheek, "I missed you too. I was this close to arranging Christine's demise, preferably at my own hands. That tart has divided our family and made us look weak in front of the nobility and our enemies. I'd love to repay her ten-fold."

At her next words, he smiled as though Feast Day had come early, "So she is a bastard. There were rumors, of course, and I loved how they haunted her, but to prove that they were true... So, your, um, father is on our side then?"

To tell the truth, he wasn't sure of Rivera's plan to goto her father. He could have easily sided with the daughter he knew rather than the stranger accused of treason, but if they had Duke Huor's support, then that meant that Christine's position was shakier than she realized.

"Does he treat you well?"