Dune_ House Atreides - Brian Herbert [240]
Margot had been so persistent about the importance of a certain matter, using all the quiet clout of the Bene Gesserit, that an audience had been granted to her on short notice. The only time open was during one of Shaddam’s morning walks, an hour he normally reserved for quiet personal reflection (“grief for his dead father,” according to the Court gossip Fenring had fostered).
Margot favored the weasel-faced man beside her with a pretty smile and a casual toss of her honey-blonde hair. Her gray-green eyes studied him. “You know very well what I wish to discuss with your friend, Hasimir,” she said, employing a familiar tone that astonished the Imperial heir. “Didn’t you prepare him?”
Fenring shook his head jerkily, and Shaddam saw him weaken in her presence. The deadly man wasn’t his usual forceful self. The Bene Gesserit delegation had been here for some days, waiting, and Margot Rashino-Zea had spent a great deal of time with Fenring in close discussions. Shaddam cocked his head, sensing some affection—or at least mutual respect—between the two. Impossible!
“Hmm-m-m-ah, I thought you might phrase it better than I could, Sister,” Fenring said. “Sire, the lovely Margot has an interesting proposal for you. I think you should listen to her.”
The Bene Gesserit looked at Shaddam strangely. Has she noticed my distress? he wondered, suddenly panicked. Does she know the reason for my feelings?
The sigh of the fountain drowned out their words. Margot took Shaddam’s hands in hers, and they were pleasingly soft and warm to him. Gazing into her sensual eyes, he felt her strength flow back into him, a comfort. “You must have a wife, Sire,” she said. “And the Bene Gesserit can provide the best match for you and House Corrino.”
Startled, Shaddam glanced over at his friend and snatched his hands back. Fenring smiled, uneasily.
“Soon you will be crowned Emperor,” Margot continued. “The Sisterhood can help you secure your power base—more than an alliance with any single Great House of the Landsraad. During his life, your father married into the Mutelli, Hagal, and Ecaz families, as well as your own mother from Hassika V. However, in these difficult times, we believe you would gain the greatest advantage by allying your throne with the power and resources of the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood.” She spoke firmly, convincingly.
He noticed that the entourage of Sisters had stopped a distance away and stood watching them. Out of earshot, the Sardaukar remained watchful but motionless, like statues. He looked at Margot’s perfectly formed face, her golden hair, her hypnotic presence.
She surprised him by turning back to the entourage and pointing. “Do you see the woman in the center over there? The one with bronze hair?”
Noting the gesture, a robed Reverend Mother stepped forward. Shaddam squinted, assessing her features, her doelike face. Even from a distance, he found her rather attractive, though she was not a classic beauty. Not as lovely as Margot, unfortunately, but she did seem young and fresh.
“Her name is Anirul, a Bene Gesserit of Hidden Rank.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s just one of our titles, Sire, quite common in the Sisterhood. It means nothing outside the order and is irrelevant to your work as Emperor.” Margot paused a beat. “You need only know that Anirul is one of our best. We are offering her to you in marriage.”
Shaddam felt a jolt of surprise. “What?”
“The Bene Gesserit are quite influential, you know. We can work behind the scenes to smooth over any difficulties you currently have with the Landsraad. This would free you to perform the work of being Emperor and secure your place in history. A number of your grandfathers have done this, to good effect.” She narrowed her gray-green eyes. “We are aware of the troubles you currently face, Sire.”
“Yes, yes, I know all that.” He looked over at Fenring, as if the weasel-faced man could explain himself. Then Shaddam beckoned for Anirul herself to come forward. The guards looked at one another uneasily, not knowing whether they should accompany