Read Online Spy's Honor by Amy Raby - Free Book Online Page B

how to answer this. She was glad he didn’t dislike her. On the other hand, he was
pleased
with her? He spoke like a parent praising a child.
    â€œAre you pleased with me?” asked Augustan.
    â€œLegatus, we’ve barely met.”
    â€œThat’s fair,” said Augustan. “It was good of the emperor to bring me here so we could get to know each other a little before the marriage.”
    Rhianne nodded. “How is the war going?”
    â€œVery well,” said Augustan. “We’ve nearly wiped out the last pockets of resistance. I expect we’ll have it wrapped up soon.”
    It was good news, but Rhianne couldn’t help but feel a pang for poor Janto. His country was about to fall, and once it did, his people would be enslaved forever. She touched her chin. “How did you get this?”
    Augustan mirrored the gesture. “Musket fire. That was years ago.”
    â€œYou were shot?”
    â€œGrazed.” He smiled crookedly. “Bullet left its mark, though.”
    â€œYou have been many years at war,” said Rhianne.
    â€œIndeed. This governorship of Mosar will be a new adventure for me, commanding people in peacetime. Although leadership is nothing new. I consider your uncle a great example.”
    â€œDo you?” Rhianne raised an eyebrow.
    â€œAbsolutely. He’s decisive; he’s bold. And he can be charitable too, as you must know.”
    Florian did have his positive traits, but Rhianne could not, for the life of her, think of a time he had been charitable. “What do you mean?”
    â€œWell, for example, when he adopted you and shielded you from the shame of your birth.”
    Rhianne stared, shock rippling through her body as if he’d slapped her in the face. Surely he could not have actually said that. “The
shame
of my
birth
?”
    â€œDon’t be coy,” said Augustan. “You know what I mean.”
    Her cheeks prickled with warmth. “Legatus, my parents were
married
. I am a legitimate child.”
    â€œYes, but they eloped, did they not? Emperor Nigellus did not approve the match.”
    â€œHe didn’t approve, but according to Kjallan marriage law, he didn’t have to. The contract was legal.”
    â€œStill,” said Augustan, “when Florian adopted you, he gave you his name so that you carried the imperial name, not your father’s.”
    â€œHe did,” said Rhianne. “But on the other hand, it was a bit of an insult to my real father, who didn’t give me up by choice. I wonder sometimes what my life would have been like if I’d been raised by my parents instead of by Florian.”
    â€œWell, I always considered the adoption a grand gesture on Florian’s part.” Augustan wrinkled his brow, as if he found her a puzzle. “You know I would never hold it against you, your father’s low birth. You may not appreciate it, but your uncle was right to get you out of that situation. Just because the parents have done wrong doesn’t mean the child will.”
    â€œOf course. I never imagined you would hold it against me,” said Rhianne, still stunned. Did he think her damaged goods? If so, why did he want to marry her? For her name, of course—Florian’s name—and the governorship of Mosar. Unless she was much mistaken, he had no respect for her as a person. “The horses are looking refreshed. Perhaps we should head back to the palace.”
    â€œIf Her Imperial Highness wishes it,” said Augustan, rising to his feet in one fluid motion. “I have some betrothal gifts for you—one-of-a-kind items from Mosar I think you’ll find very special.”
    â€œI can’t wait,” said Rhianne dully. She didn’t mind being challenged by a man. Janto challenged her. Lucien challenged her. Somehow when those two forced her to question her assumptions, she felt herself growing and stretching, becoming wiser and more