A Tantalizing Proposition

Writers: Rylie
Date Posted: 22nd March 2006

Characters: Benaran, Daelyn
Description: Benaran receives an interesting proposition from an old friend
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 23 of Turn 3

Benaran sat at his desk pondering the ledgers before him. One of his greatest boons a few turns back had been to claim one of the understeward offices in the main building. There was no doubt that every individual had to earn his place in this hold, son of the Lord Holder or not. Benaran frowned. He was not opposed to hard work, but felt that more credence should be given to bloodline. A soft but determined knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," Benaran said his look quickly turning into one of delight when he set eyes on his visitor. He stood to welcome the attractive woman, "Daelyn, what a wonderful surprise. Are you and Stovin visiting?" he queried.

The tall, auburn-haired lady entered, a small smile tugging at her full lips. "No, Stovin stayed at the hold. His sister had a bad fall and needs a bit of seeing to, as well as some help keeping up with her sewing duties so I came with Stovlyn to look after her. I just arrived this morning."

"Well, it is a pleasure," Benaran paused catching her amber eyes with an intense gaze from his crystal blue ones, "to see you again." Since meeting her nearly four turns prior, Benaran had often thought that Daelyn was one of the most attractive women that he had ever met. She was not what everyone would call beautiful, though most would admit that she was handsome if not alluring.

Daelyn's smile widened as she closed the door and came forward to take the seat across from Benaran. Many disliked the Lord Holder's son, finding him arrogant and impersonal, but she had her own opinions of him. She knew him to be an exquisite lover and had little tolerance for those women who wined about his lack of emotional commitment. Though some found Benaran self-serving, to Daelyn he would always be the man who had given her the desire of her heart. "It is very good to see you again as well, Benaran."

"And how is Stovlyn?" Benaran asked with a grin.

"Growing and into everything, but I know you are a busy man, and I must get back to my son and Stovina so let us not waste time in small talk."

Benaran raised his eyebrows in query. He had always admired Daelyn's candid nature. She was as intelligent as she was beautiful and Benaran knew that much of the success within Stovin's holding was due to her subtle influence. If he had ever considered a union based on something other than strategic alliance, Daelyn would have been the one he would have pursued. That is, of course, if she had not been married to one of his father's friends and a successful holder beholden to Amber Hills.

"I understand that Gritzena fell and broke her leg recently, leaving you without a foster mother for your children."

Benaran's brow furrowed. "Yes, I had been planning on dealing with that today in fact."

"Well, you are in luck. I would be happy to foster your younger children while Gritzena recovers. I can easily do that as well as help out Stovin's sister, and if Stovina gains her health back before Gritzena, they can return home with me for a time. In would be good for them to see more of their grandfather's holdings, and my son could use some playmates.
Vidaben and he are very close to the same age you know."

"And what do you want in return?" Though Benaran knew Daelyn to be a far more generous person than himself, he could tell this was no random favor.

"Another child."

His brows shot up. This was direct, even for Daelyn, "Not that I would not dearly enjoy your company, but do you think that wise?"

"We can be discreet, and I pined to Stovin enough before we left that he plans to visit while we stay here, so my conception would easily be accepted. He delights in Stovlyn and would be thrilled with another child." Daelyn paused and her amber eyes earnestly focused on his, "I want another baby, Benaran, and we both know Stovin can't give me one."

"The man is more than thirty years your senior."

"And Lord Benaroy fathered your youngest sister at the age of 67, older than Stovin by a few turns."

"Don't you think he would suspect?"

"No, I don't. He is a dear man, but oblivious about many things. Despite the fact that his first two wives bore no children, and that I was barren for ten years he had no doubt that Stovlyn was his son."

"And the resemblance?"

Daelyn smiled. "Well, he is your father's cousin, though distant. Besides, Stovin believes Stovlyn gets his blue eyes from him."

"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought."

"I have."

Benaran stood and came around the desk. "Well, who am I to thwart a ladies' plans," he said leaning in to give her a passionate kiss, remembering well the feel of her silky skin against his own. This was definitely going to be one of the most enjoyable transactions he had ever agreed to.

Last updated on the March 23rd 2006

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A Tantalizing Proposition