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Hanoree checked to ensure the bank vault of the assassin remained unopened. He could not access it himself, so he didn’t know what evidence it contained. With the Order’s interest, he assumed the worse. He trusted imperial banking laws. None of the Council of Nobles would vote for access, fearing their own accounts might be opened to scrutiny.
He admitted to himself, if not to Varick, he and the Order were at a stalemate. Hanoree was under pressure to remove Imperial troops from surrounding the Order’s capital. He had the royal heir, but he wanted to provoke an attack by the Order or discredit him so he called in an expert.
Lady Orand was not an expert on genetics, but she was an expert on royal inheritance law and a stickler for the rules. A lesser known, but important, fact was that she did not like the Dowager Empress Miette.
He smiled ingratiatingly at Lady Orand and held out his hand to the older woman. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I know I can turn to you, dear lady, in this delicate time.”
Lady Orand puffed up at the compliment. Her head tilted. “How may I be of assistance, Lord Hanoree? I am an old woman and retired from court and politics.”
He gave her a pleading look. “Your expertise and influence are legendary. I hope I can count on your discretion also. This matter is most private.”
She straightened in her chair. “Of course, my lord.”
“You are aware of the infant pretender who claims to be the son of the late emperor? I fear these people have duped my royal grandmother. She is old and has lost much of her good judgement.”
Her lips twisted into slight smile. “I have heard the blood tests have confirmed his paternity.”
“Is there no legal way to protect the Empire from such dishonorable people?” Hanoree asked.
“I can think of a few instances where the Nobles ruled against a blood heir.”
He sighed. “So, there are instances?”
Lady Orand patted a flat stomach. “Perhaps we could continue this conversation over lunch?”
He responded by ordering tea and a lunch he promised would be outstanding.
Over tea and appetizers, she continued, “If the emperor was an unwitting party to the dumas contract, it would be void.” She popped another stuffed olive into her mouth and chewed. She swallowed. “That would be almost impossible to prove now, but another factor would be the moral character of the dumas. This too would be hard to prove since she is young.”
Hanoree tried to control his irritation. “Is there no other circumstance?”
Waiters came in serving lunch, and her answer was delayed until after the servants retired and they were eating. “A lesser known objection would be if the family line of the dumas were proven to be heretical or dishonorable.”
Hanoree clenched his hands to suppress his anger. The girl came from the slums. Any connection to the royal line was over one hundred years in the past. He stopped. It would be easy enough to trace her line, even though it was obscure. Because it was bound to be, he could make sure it was dishonorable.
Lowering his lids, he peered at Lady Orand. “Can you recommend someone to investigate discretely? I would hate for word of my doubts to reach the Dowager Empress. She is very sensitive.”
Lady Orand smiled. “I would not trust anyone other than myself with such a delicate mission. You can depend upon my confidentiality.”
Having obtained his goal, Hanoree was anxious to be rid of Lady Orand. When the she finally departed, he made a note to send chocolates. If gluttony was her weakness, he would certainly feed it.
He was now free to focus on his second mission—he must get into the bank vault and retrieve whatever was in it. Also, he needed to find the missing wife of the assassin but did not have any clues where she might have gone. He sent men to interview the employees and patrons of the bar she ran. Satisfied the right wheels were in motion at last, he poured another glass of wine and retired to bed.
Much too early the next morning his houseman tapped at his chamber. Hanoree fought to free himself from the blankets and from the dream of sporting with his mistress. How dare he be roused at such an unpleasant time? He glared at the houseman.
“Forgive me, my lord. Your wife has arrived, and she wishes to breakfast with you. I thought it best to come to you. She is in the kitchen ordering cook’s day.”
Hanoree jumped from his bed and started dressing. His cook was a prize possession; he was also temperamental. Spirits knew his wife could try the patience of the most patient of souls. “Tell Lady Hanoree I will receive her in my private salon. Please escort her there. I will join her after I finish dressing. Give the cook a suitable bonus with my apologies.”
The houseman bowed low before hurrying to obey his master’s wishes.
~ * ~
He saw Lady Hanoree standing near the fireplace. She seemed to be studying the flames and fighting to contain her agitation. She turned as Hanoree entered and did not wait for the servant to leave.
“What are you doing to my son? Is it not bad enough you ruin your life and my reputation with your debauchery? Our son and heir has been introduced to drug dens.”
Hanoree raised his hand. “Please, wife, I am as shocked as you over Pater’s behavior. I admit to having been distracted by other matters. I am glad you have come to take charge of Pater.”
Lady Hanoree huffed as she glared at her husband. “What matters have you been concerned with that are more important than our son?”
“I am concerned with his future. You have hidden yourself in the country, but you must be aware of this pretender.” That was a bold statement since his wife stayed away from court to avoid the public embarrassment of his many affairs.
She bristled.
He extended his hand in a placating gesture. “Come now, my dear wife, I need someone who can keep an eye on Sayeri and this pretender of a girl. She is not worthy of a crown. You are the one who should be sworn in as empress. Is it not our time?”
Hanoree watched her expression change to reflect her growing ambition. For the first time in years they enjoyed a pleasant breakfast. He could trust her to spy on the pretender and throw a barb or two in the way of that upstart and her child. Few knew the ways of court better than Lady Hanoree.
After they ate, she left, happy and determined to see their son and make sure he was on the mend.
Hanoree drank his drug-laced wine to calm his nerves. When both were taking effect, he returned to bed. He slept soundly, dreaming of wearing the Imperial crown.