In The Beginning, Gail Daley [red white royal blue .TXT] 📗

goods Vensoog exported. Part of their business here was to set up trade contracts so as soon as they returned; Corrine would leave to attend the trade meeting with the city leaders.

"How well do you know your niece?" she asked Gideon.

He shrugged. "Not well. She was mostly away at school when I visited my brother and his wife. My brother was a solicitor. I’m afraid their lifestyle was very different from that of a soldier on active duty. I do have current vids though, so I will recognize her."

"Do Jayla and Lucas know about your plans to emigrate to Vensoog?"

"No. I informed the school she has been attending when I sent for her, but I don’t know if they told her or not. I told Lucas when I contacted him."

"You said you rescued him and then assumed guardianship. How did that come to pass?"

"Owen Lewellyn and I had gotten to know each other before the war started when I was in a black ops unit. When the old man knew Gwynedd was about to be overrun he asked me to come and take Lucas off planet. Lucas was pretty young at the time. He’s been with me for some years. He has been attending the military academy on Selene, Fenris’s second moon, so he and Jayla didn’t travel out together. They will both be coming in on the same shuttle from there though."

Just then, both their coms chimed with a message the shuttle had landed. and everyone waiting for a passenger to arrive should go to the customs area to meet them.

Jayla was a golden-haired child with crystal blue eyes and although young, she gave the promise of great beauty to come. Unfortunately, her pretty face was marred just now by a sulky pout. Lucas on the other hand still showed the discipline from his time at the military academy. He stood almost at attention as he watched the crowd for Lord Gideon. His plain, square-jawed face, just losing the roundness of childhood, lit up when he saw him and he rushed to meet him. They met with the one-armed hug typical of males with a close bond. Surprisingly, Lucas could have stood for a blood relative to Gideon. Although he lacked the older man’s heavy trained muscle he had the same lanky height and pale hair contrasting with sun-darkened skin.

"Trip out go okay?" Gideon asked.

"Yeah. We had a detour around some debris before we got to the shuttle, but they’re working on repairing the port. I made myself known to your niece and offered to help out if she had questions, but she said no."

Katherine had noticed the brief flash of longing that passed over Jayla’s face before the sulk came back.

"I think someone’s feeling a little left out," she murmured to Gideon, indicating Jayla with a nod.

"Oh, yes. Lady Katherine, may I present my ward, Lucas Lewellyn?"

Lucas bowed to her. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, My Lady."

"Welcome to Clan O’Teague, young man. The Clan is delighted to have Lord Gideon’s family joining him."

Gideon had drawn the girl over to them. "Lady Katherine, this is my niece Jayla. Jayla, this is Lady Katherine O’Teague. Since I’m bunking in the barracks with the unit, you will be staying with her until we leave for Vensoog."

"You mean you don’t even have your own apartment?" Jayla’s voice rose in protest. "I don’t see why I had to come here anyway. I could have stayed at school—"

"Jayla." Gideon’s voice was quiet, but something in it checked the incipient tantrum.

"Lady Katherine, I apologize for my niece’s manners," he said stiffly. "We are very grateful to you for providing accommodation for her during this transition period."

"Sorry," resentment showed in Jayla’s tone. "Thank you for having me."

Well, at least the child had some training in manners, Katherine reflected. She rapidly revised her plan for putting the girl in the same room with Juliette, however. A brief estimate of the two girls' characters, assured her that if Jayla exhibited that type of attitude toward Juliette, the other girl would eat her for lunch.

"It is no trouble," Katherine responded equally politely, none of her thoughts showing in her voice. "I’ve made arrangements for most of the luggage we’ll be taking to Vensoog to be sent to the Dancing Gryphon for storage. Jayla, if you and Lucas could please pick out whatever items you will need for the next three weeks and on the trip, we will take it back with us. While we have ample room in our present apartment, the quarters on the ship will be much more cramped."

"Will we need dress clothes?" Lucas asked. "I only have my uniforms and a couple of casual outfits."

"There is one formal affair planned on Fenris for which I will be providing formal Vensoog clothing for everyone who will need to attend. The tailor will be coming later today to take your and Jayla’s measurements for that as well as the two casual Vensoog outfits."

Gideon frowned. "Is this the Planetary Governor’s Ball I’ve been hearing so much about?" he asked.

"Yes, I will expect yourself, Zack and Vernal, as well as your children to attend. Juliette as my First Daughter, and the two boys as well as Lucinda and Violet will be making an appearance. Zack’s youngsters are a little young for this, so they will be making just a brief appearance before returning to our quarters. Jayne has agreed to stay with them that night until we return."

"I’m sorry," Lucas interjected. "First Daughter, sounded like a title, what is it?"

"It is a title. On Vensoog, as you will learn, duties, properties and positions are passed through the female line. All women have the privilege of choosing a young girl, usually from their direct family, but not always, to inherit. That young lady is referred to as ‘First Daughter’".

The meeting between Zack’s family and Gideon’s unfortunately went just about as Katherine had feared. The boys had no objection to rooming with Lucas, and he assured Katherine that it wouldn’t be much