Edward by Marcus LaGrone Read Free Book Online Page B

going to use
on you to convince you of the utility of a comlink in spite of your historical
objections.  One of the few times I am glad that my preparatory efforts
are going to be wasted.”
    Edward laughed as he got up from the table, “You're
welcome, Kadu!”  He looked around for a couch.
    “There is a crash bed in the back room.  Have you
ready to roll at 9:30?”
    “Oh, good. Um, probably need to be there at 9:30.”
    “We will be in motion at 9:10 for an arrival at 9:20.”
    “Sounds perfect.  As always, Kadu.”
     
     
    Edward meet Alex at Tatiana's penthouse with dinner already
starting to wind down.  Tatiana and the trio of vultures retreated to change
her clothes and makeup, while Gillian engaged in small talk and sipped on her
drink.
    “Welcome back Edward.  If you don't mind I have some
questions for you.  I confess I did a bit of checking up on you.”
    Alex flashed a grin at Edward and playfully thumped the
comlink he was wearing.  “I'll be your shadow tonight,” he offered as he
excused himself from the room.
    Edward shook Alex's hand as he left and returned his
attention to Gillian.
    “By all means, ma'am, Gillian .  You are going to see a lot of me; it is only
appropriate you are comfortable with me and my history.”
    Gillian smiled broadly, “Do I understand that Helen
Winteroak was your biological sister?  My understanding was Highland names
were matriarchal, yet I thought you were a Silverglade.”
    Edward nodded and smiled, “That is mostly correct.  In
Highland culture there are two names, the family name, which traces through the
First Mother, and the clan name which traces through the father. 
Winteroak is a family name while Silverglade is a clan name.  A young male
uses his family name until he is about fifteen or so, then he usually starts
using his clan name.  When he is married he uses both his clan name and
the First Mother's family name of the new house.  My oldest brother, for example,
is married and thus is properly referred to as Llewellyn Stratford of Clan
Silverglade or as Llewellyn Silverglade of House Stratford.  Either way.”
    “First Mother?” came the voice of
Tatiana from the room next door.  “How many wives does a guy go through up
there in the Highlands?”
    Edward afforded himself a polite laugh, it was very
different from what was she was used to.  “First thing to consider is the
male to female ratio in the Highlands is one to four.  And thus there are
usually anywhere between three and five Mothers in a family.”  Edward
racked his brain as he fought to make things clear, “From a cultural point of
view, it isn't that a husband has four wives.  It just isn't viewed that
way.  The First Mother is the head of the house, and she has a husband and
several other Mothers supporting her.”
    Tatiana poked her head out the door, her dress was very
flattering.  Edward wasn't entirely certain what was keeping it on
her.  “That... That is very different.”  She seemed both confused and
impressed.
    Gillian laughed a bit, “A very different culture
indeed.  Your explanation covers my second question: that about Ivy
Stratford.  That is Llewellyn's wife, or she is First Mother of their
family, as it were.”
    Edward nodded, “Yes, that is
correct.  So you've heard of her?”
    “Ivy Stratford?  Of course I've heard of her!  You kind of have to in the music business.”
    Tatiana looked even more confused, “Okay, I've not heard of
her, and I'm in music.”
    Gillian laughed, “From an agent side, girl. 
Ivy Stratford is a very accomplished concert piano player.  She toured and
taught for two years before she returned to the Highlands.  If she ever
wanted to tour again, people would be tripping over themselves to hear her
play.”     
    “Oh, old people music,” Tatiana smiled and returned to her
room.
    “Forgive her, she is young,” offered Gillian.
    Edward laughed, “It's okay. 
Ivy's music was never my thing anyway.  I