Page 49 of Ruling the Green

“It is a perk,” I agreed.

“And how have you been enjoying married life?” he asked, looking past me at a wide-eyed Serin.

Under the table, I squeezed her thigh as I reached for my wine.

“She doesn’t speak.”

At that, Cass’s brows rose.

“At all?”

“At all. I guess that didn’t come up when you were vetting for a wife for me.”

“It did not.” His jaw tightened, and I could practically hear his gears turning; could imagine his thoughts going to anger and treachery.

“I don’t know,” I said, taking a sip then shooting him a smirk. “I think a silent wife has its perks. I don’t have to listen to any bitching and nagging.”

My father’s lips curved too. If there was one thing he could get behind, it was subjugating someone—anyone—else.

“That’s true. All these women do is talk in circles around you.” He zeroed in on Serin again, studying her. “Was she mute from birth?”

“And how would I gather that information when she can’t speak?” I asked.

“Does she have her tongue?”

“She does.”

“Hm. Is she simple?”

“I suppose. Doesn’t seem to have any thoughts of her own. Just does as she’s told.”

“The perfect wife then,” Cass said, toasting me with his glass.

I gave Serin’s thigh another squeeze, hoping she understood that I didn’t mean what I said.

“Is she healthy?” he asked. “She seems a bit thin.”

“As far as I can tell, she is healthy. But I suppose she could put some weight on.”

“Should you not send for a midwife to inspect her? We need to make sure she is able to carry an heir. It won’t matter how many times you climb on top of her if she can’t produce the next prince.”

“I suppose there is no way to be sure until she is with child.”

“I expect that to happen soon. The stronger the line of succession, the stronger we are as a kingdom.”

It wouldn’t have been so bad if he’d let it drop there.

But this was Cass, mind stripped down to his more basic thoughts. He couldn’t just leave it be.

“If the first is a girl child, I expect you to toss her to a wet nurse and immediately try again.”

So close, I could hear the sad little sound that escaped Serin and covered it with a cough of my own.

“Women are allowed in the line of succession,” I reminded him.

“That has been changed.”

“What? Since when?”