Sisters Three (Completed)

14. Brenna (2/2)

"You have something that interests me," Robbin said. Brenna tried not to show any interest, but she couldn't help a quick glance at him. The sharpness in his eye reminded her of the way she'd looked at his family not so long ago. He could see an advantage in her. She quickly looked away.

"My how riveting," she said.

Robbin ignored her. "By leaving the nobles to their own devices, the personal ties with foreign countries were never broken. Your dukes and barons still visit Grella, and even Cameria. They still have favors that can be cashed in and they still have support. If they could be persuaded to convince Grella and Cameria to send a few battalions to back my father and brother, we would be matched with, and maybe even outnumber, Revour's army."

Brenna wanted to laugh at his plan and call it foolish, but she immediately saw the wisdom in it. She didn't know much about the frail nobles that once were political powerhouses, but she did know that Ittal once cozied very close to Grella. The borders between the two countries were only separated by the bottom end of the White Bay, and she knew that even with the new government a vibrant trading contract still stood.

Digging back in her mind she tried to think of the barons that might be persuaded to join the Glenfarrow cause. There were a few men that were still ambitious in their old age, and she knew a few of the middle-aged men that could use ties their fathers left behind. However, none were crazy enough to put their weight behind a boy who faced a better-trained and better-equipped army. Revours had the money to fund his army, but neither the Glenfarrows nor Ittal would be able to pay any soldiers sent from Grella.

"That's all fine and well," she said, "but good luck with getting the barons to gamble."

"They'd gamble if the stakes were high enough," Robbin replied. "If Glenfarrows rule, we could offer them their titles back with some finagling with the Ittal government. We'd be able to restore their fortunes to a certain amount, and they'd gain powerful influence within the council of Anjeluund."

Those were, indeed, impressive stakes. Most of the younger barons would no doubt jump at such a chance to regain something of the glory days. Backing a winning side could mean rising from crumbling villas and once again wearing cloaks of dignity and respect.

"It's a sound plan, I admit," Brenna said. "However, it's very risky. And I doubt that your father would allow me to marry your brother on such a shaky promise."

"True. My father thinks the best plan to gain support is to strengthen our ties to the queen's blood. Mother was her cousin, which gives us the natural right to rule. With Revours contesting, my father wants to make sure our connection is unmistakable. He will be looking for a princess that will accomplish these goals. Not to mention the fact that you are... unpredictable."

Brenna frowned. "Then what do you propose? That I just rally my barons to run to your aid? Do you honestly think that just a pretty face will entice me to go about the mammoth task of pushing old men to action? Darling, I'm not that desperate. My finances may need a boost and I may be one step up from a dairy maid, but you'll have to do better than a vague promise of profit."

Robbin moved across the floor and sat beside her. His leg brushed against hers and she felt a jolt of shock run through her. Somehow she hadn't expected him to be this close, and she certainly hadn't expected him to smell like oranges. She struggled not to jerk away from his touch and show how much he'd put her off. So she narrowed her eyes and dug her fingernails into the armrest of the settee.

"I can offer you much more than a vague promise. I can offer a guarantee of the title of princess, along with any personal wealth that I might acquire when my brother wins the crown. I have no reason to suspect that he won't grant me one of the top positions in his court."

Brenna froze as she slowly began to realize what he was saying. A small gasp leaked from between her lips before she could stop it. She cleared her throat and tossed her head to try and appear casual. "Am I to come to the conclusion that you're offering me your hand?"

Robbin looked annoyed at the question but nodded curtly. "You'll never be the queen, but a princess is a far better deal that one step up from a dairy maid. You can, of course, wait for a better offer to surface, but I highly doubt that it will. Your particular assets are really only tailor made for my family."

Curse it all, but he was right. Brenna rankled at the thought. She could wait until she was as old as her aunts and she might never get an offer of marriage that would even begin to improve her situation. With her aunts' money disappearing more and more every day, and with her family's name meaning less each year, she'd be lucky to catch the eye of even a successful farmer. But Robbin presented a world she'd only dreamed of since her childhood. Balls and a court, and a title that came straight from a picture book. Princess. It was a light word, filled with the promise of happy little larks and no worries. Far cry from the power and might held within 'queen'. However, it was much better than just plain 'Brenna'.

She saw her answer. It was really her only choice.

So, though she mourned the loss of her queenly crown, she looked Robbin Glenfarrow straight in the eye and held out her hand. "I accept."