The Devil and Deep Space by Susan Matthews

Author:Susan Matthews [Matthews, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 9780451459015
Publisher: Roc
Published: 2002-10-01T01:30:04+00:00

Chapter Nine

The Appropriate Channels

Marana had gotten a late start to the day, late in rising, much later in dressing, and only now was sitting down in the nursery office to review the status of Anton's lessons with the house's master of children's education.

"The lesson plans have fallen a little behind, Respected Lady, but it is only to be expected," Housemaster Janich said, but comfortingly. "Under the circumstances. Our young lord's father does not come home every day."

Marana closed the schedule log carefully. Nor would their young lord's father be coming home ever again; he was here to stay. But it was for Andrej to make the announcement.

"Still, this is a lag of three days." The single most pernicious fault that Aznir culture found with the members of its hereditary aristocracy was in the tendency of many to substitute privilege for perception. "How are we to recover?"

Anton Andreievitch had needed the very best education because he had been fated for a life as a bastard child, who could reasonably expect a good position within the Koscuisko familial corporation, but whose performance would be under constant scrutiny by the partisans of legitimate children jealous to ensure that no undue special favor was shown him. Now she didn't have to worry about that any longer.

Now Anton needed an even better education, because he was to inherit the controlling interest in the familial corporation one day. Then history would judge her worth as a mother, and the value of her love for Andrej Ulexeievitch, by the prosperity that Koscuisko should enjoy during Anton Andreievitch's tenure as its master.

Therefore she would have to pay twice as much attention to Anton's lesson plans. The family would do its best to intervene, to take control of so important a task away from her. She would be ready to defend her primacy; she would accept help, but she would not yield control. Anton was her son.

Janich frowned. "The young lord does well with his languages, Respected Lady. Perhaps some time could be found in the schedule for Standard grammar and syntax. I will create a recovery plan, if this suggestion meets with your approval."

And above all else Anton had to be allowed to be a child. It was lucky that he was intelligent and biddable; he did his lessons with as much diligence as one could ask any child his age, and learned them well. Ferinc helped Anton with his language. How was that going to work, with Andrej home?

"Thank you, house-master. We might find a way to do a science lesson outside of the classroom as well. If it can be worked into Anton's play."

Ferinc was here, standing in the open doorway to the nursery office, looking very pale. Janich had noticed Ferinc as well. "Very good, Respected Lady, until next time. With your permission."

Janich had gotten more formal with her. Before Andrej had come home, she had been "Respected Lady," but no one had taken leave of her "with her permission."

Ferinc stood aside, smiling in wordless response to Janich's greeting as the house-master left the room.

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