Dune_ House Atreides - Brian Herbert [278]
A cruel smile slashed his face. “Ah-um-m-m-m. Is that so? My dear Margot, it sounds as if you’re presenting me with a business plan.”
“And you, Hasimir, seem to be a man who prefers practicality over romanticism. I think we’re well matched,” she said. “Both of us are skilled at recognizing layered plans, the labyrinthine ways in which seemingly unrelated actions are actually connected.”
“The results are often quite deadly, aren’t they?”
She reached over with her napkin to wipe plum sauce from the side of his mouth. “Mmm, you need someone to take care of you.”
He studied her, the finishing-school way she held her chin high, the perfection and steady tempo of her speech—such a contrast to his occasional slurs and verbal hesitations. Her gray-green eyes gazed at him without apparent concealment. But he could see the sparkle of secrets held behind those lovely pupils . . . so many secrets.
And he could spend years and years reveling in the challenge of uncovering them.
Fenring reminded himself how clever these witches were; they did not take individual action. Nothing was as it seemed. “You and your Sisterhood have a larger purpose in mind, Margot, my dear. I know something of the ways of the Bene Gesserit. You are a group organism.”
“Well, I’ve informed the organism of what I wish to do.”
“Informed them, or asked them? Or did they send you after me in the first place?”
The Dame of House Venette strolled by, leading a brace of small, coiffed dogs. Her gilded dress was so voluminous that other guests had to back out of her way. With each step, the noblewoman fixed her blank gaze forward, as if just concentrating on keeping her balance.
Margot watched the spectacle, then turned back to Fenring. “There are obvious advantages to all of us, and Mother Superior Harishka has already given me her blessing. You would gain a valuable connection with the Sisterhood, though I wouldn’t necessarily tell you all of our secrets.” She nudged him playfully, nearly causing him to spill his plate of food.
“Mm-m-m-m,” he said, looking over the perfection of her figure, “and I am a key to the power of Shaddam. He trusts no one more than me.”
Bemused, Margot raised her eyebrows. “Oh? Is that why he sent you away to Arrakis? Because you’re so close to him? I’m told that you aren’t happy with the new duty.”
“How did you find out about that?” Fenring scowled, felt the uncomfortable sensation of losing his balance. “I just learned of the assignment myself two days ago.” This clever witch had more to say, and he waited for her.
“Hasimir Fenring, you must learn to use every circumstance to your advantage. Arrakis is the key to melange, and the spice opens the universe. Our new Emperor may think he has merely reassigned you, but in reality he has entrusted you with something vitally important. Think of it—Imperial Observer on Arrakis.”
“Yes, and the Baron Harkonnen won’t like it one bit. I suspect he’s been hiding many small details all along.”
She graced him with a lush, full smile. “No one can hide such things from you, my dear. Or me.”
He smiled back at her. “Then we can while away the miserable days ferreting out his secrets.”
She ran her long, thin fingers along his sleeve. “Arrakis is a most difficult place in which to live, but . . . perhaps you would enjoy it more in my company?”
He grew wary, as was his nature. Though the crowd was filled with extravagant costumes and exotic plumage, Margot was the most beautiful woman in the entire hall. “I might. But why would you want to go there? A horrible place, by all accounts.”
“My Sisters describe it as a planet of ancient mysteries, and my spending time there would greatly increase my standing among the Bene Gesserit. It could be an important step in my training to become a Reverend Mother. Use your imagination: sandworms, Fremen, spice. It could be most interesting if you and I were to solve those mysteries