Page 19 of Dearest Beast
“Leone, of her own volition, requested an amiable, traditional marriage designed for her maximum security and that of her siblings,” Teres explained, breaking his thoughts.
An arrangement for mutual benefit, which would give him the edge he required. Not to mention, net him another adult in the household to handle Lucy’s obligations instead of placing everything on his shoulders, distracting him from his own.
Yes. This was exactly what he needed.
Teres, and apparently his daughter, wanted an alliance with a family of history, prominence, and funds. There were only so many such men available. Especially from their side of the community.
A perfect bargain.
While he did not recall meeting the lady in question, as she was likely younger than the women he’d considered for his first marriage, if the future second Mrs. Roger Berab was from the Teres home, Lucy’s responsibilities should be second nature to her.
Roger inhaled. His luck was changing. He’d finally be David’s equal. And no one would ever compare him to Louis again. He tightened his grip on his drink, power pulsing through his veins.
“And you aren’t afraid I’ll kidnap someone?” he asked with a small sniff.
“Ricardo and his progeny are grandstanding malcontents,” Teresdeclared, leaning back in his seat. “Yes, one of your brothers made unfortunate choices, but your other is well respected. Not to mention the fact that your sister and her family are beyond reproach, and you have never given an indication that you aren’t in the same form,” he continued. “Further, your children will be tended. My Leone is astute. She has an eye for good staff and their management. You shall be able to perform your duties with ease and complete focus once you are married.”
An eye for good staff—blast, the nurse. He’d forgotten to even follow up with Lopez and Marguarite regarding inquiries. Marrying Leone Teres was sounding better and better.
“When?” he asked, because really that was the only question now.
“Obviously, we’ll meet with a broker for show first, but we should be able to announce in… say, six weeks.” Teres eyed him. “Enough time for Miss Adler to leave. I don’t want any… confusion over my daughter’s position, even if the alternative is… Well, you’ve seen the woman.”
Oh yes, he had. And an unbidden image of Rebecca Adler, head thrown back as he took her on the Liras’ library ladder, moaning his name, rose in his mind.
Roger coughed a little, banishing the recollection from whence it came. “I have,” he said. “There’s no comparison.”
There wasn’t.
Coitus was one matter, but wives were a completely different one. Rebecca Adler was no wife. At least not for someone like him. However, Leone Teres… or should he say, the soon-to-be Leone Berab, was another story.
Perfect. Absolutely perfect.
“No, there’s not.” Teres clapped his hands together. “I knew you’d be reasonable. The talk about you cracking up like your brother is just jealousy and hysteria. Powerful emotions, unfortunately, as ourancestors learned, can be managed with the right finesse, by the right people.”
Exactly. If more people could think like Teres, the community would run a great deal more smoothly.
Roger couldn’t hold back his grin. “To think, they once called us pigs. If they could see us Marranos now.” Still a Jew and soon he’d be the prince he should be. No, better, with Miss Teres by his side, he’d be king. Yes, they’d tried to take everything from his ancestors, but he’d won. Or would, soon enough.
“That’s why we get along. You understand who we are.” His future father-in-law rose to his feet. “We’ll schedule a dinner near the end of February, and provided all goes well, we can discuss the details of the contract afterward.”
“Excellent,” Roger said, rising as well. “I shall be looking forward to it.” Reaching out, he grasped his soon-to-be father-in-law’s hand.
“As shall I,” Teres said with a grin, releasing his grip and following Roger down the stairs to where Lopez was waiting with his coat. After permitting the man to assist him with his outerwear, he turned back to Roger. “Oh, and, Berab?”
“Yes?” he asked, raising a brow.
“I’d have your family spend some time indoors for the next few weeks,” he advised, adjusting his top hat over his kippah. “The weather is dangerous, and we wouldn’t want any accidents to occur.”
Roger chuckled but halted when the man did not join in. “Sir?”
“I don’t foresee this being a problem,” Teres continued. “There are very few worthwhile events scheduled, and the remaining ones are likely to be canceled if this snow continues.”
Roger’s mind stuttered, attempting to make sense of the words.
“Are you suggesting that I… ?” He stopped, unable to quite finish the thought, as it was much too outlandish.
“That you decline all public engagements until an official agreement with my daughter is announced? Very much so.” A ghost of a smile flashed over Teres’s lips. “Except that it’s not a suggestion. I do not want anything jeopardizing Leone’s future happiness.”
