They rolled up the long scenic drive, occasionally losing site of the manor house as thick vegetation blocked it from view in places. As they got closer, the true size of the grounds came into view with surrounding barns and stables dotting the landscape beyond the house proper.

"Lost lords of the manner. Really?" Lidda asked Conner telepathically. It seemed natural to communicate between vehicles that way now. Only Father Pen was out of the loop since he did not have an implant.

"It took a little mind probing and instilling a few memories to make it so." Conner replied. "But the family name, Castonea, is a big part of their heritage."

"Who is funding the operation?" she asked.

"Father Pen tells me the estate has a large trust fund which has been managed by the religious order over the past half-century," Conner explained. "The profits from the horse breeding operation here provide additional income. The local villagers are very loyal. By tradition, each generation sent some family members to work here. From the looks of it, they still do. The villagers have kept the place alive while the religious order has all but forgotten them."

"Well, no harm done then," Mara added. "They should welcome Father Pen here as well."

As the vans rolled up to the front portico, several custodial persons were standing by the door to greet them.

"How are we going to explain all these kids?" Lidda asked.

"I've been thinking about that," said Mara. "The best explanation is to keep it as close to the truth as possible."

"Which is?"

"Adoption. They have been adopted by Conner and James, their generous benefactors. I am their nanny. Hal and Lidda, you are university students charitably assisting us. Father Pen is considering relocating to serve this charming village as its new priest."

"Would they already have a priest?" Hal queried.

"An elderly priestess. You will be meeting her soon." James spoke up unexpectedly.

"How do you know that?" Lidda asked.

"I took the liberty of reading a few thoughts from our welcoming committee," James replied. "They are relieved to know the Castonea family has returned after so long a time."

What did Reddge tell these people about us?" Lidda wondered.

"That was my question exactly," Conner replied. "He said to just wing it and signed off,"

"I'd say you managed it well enough," Hal remarked.

Eventually they had to get out and make an appearance. The mood was formal, but hospitable. Lidda could see wide eyes all around as the babies were unloaded. They did so as nonchalantly as possible, each carrying a baby.

A uniformed maid approached them somewhat uncertainly. She managed a formal curtsy but, "Welcome," was all she managed to say.

Mara took over the introductions. "Thank you. I must apologize for our coming unannounced. As you can see, we have had our hands rather full. May I present Conner and James Castonea."

Conner and James each gave a short bow in recognition, made comical by the infants in their arms. The female staff members curtsied, and the men bowed in return.

"These infants are most fortunate to be the adopted children of the Castonea family and I am, Mara, their nanny."

She then proceeded to introduce Lidda and Hal by first name only as students generously donating their time. And finally. "This kind gentleman beside me is Father Pen, a revered member of the Santa Dielo Priesthood. He is anxious to meet with the Lady Taydome and request her blessing as he seeks relocation here."

"I'm sure that can be arranged ma'am." spoke the first maid. "I am Charlotte. We were not expecting your party, but we have ample rooms available for guests. It will take a while longer to open the nursery and get it ready. There haven't been young children here in over fifty years."

Conner moved to the front and quickly took charge of things. "Understandable my dear. If you good people could but assist us with our belongings, the children will be fine staying in our quarters for a while until more suitable accommodations are ready."

"Certainly, Sir Conner," said one of the men as he picked up two pieces of luggage. "I'm Cedrick, head steward. Please follow me."

'Sir Conner, is it?' Lidda wondered. This would prove to be a good test of an android's ego.

Cedrick led their large party, followed by half a dozen other servants bearing their luggage and boxes. They passed through the massive wooden front doors, flanked by marble columns, into a wide receiving hall. Lidda could see past the hall to other spacious rooms where she caught glimpses of fireplaces and velvet curtains.

"I'm afraid there are only stairs available." Cedrick said apologetically. "The manor house was built before electricity and there is not even a service elevator."

"That will be corrected in the near future," Conner remarked, already quietly asserting his authority.

"It would be an immense help to our Lady Taydome who is getting on in years." Cedrick mused. "I fear for her safety on the stairs. I think she has been keeping to her rooms more to avoid them. Not that it's any of my business, sir."

"Nonsense. Of course, it is your business to consider her safety, Cedrick," Conner said. "And now it is my business as well. I will speak to her."

They were led up two flights of stairs and off to a side wing reserved for guests. The rooms were spacious and richly furbished with last century furniture and decor. Most impressive was a large central parlor at the base of a turreted tower room. The sunlight was gleaming through tall stained glass windows making rainbows of color on the stone walls.

Mara exclaimed on seeing it. "This would be perfect for the infants."

"Quite right." said Charlotte. "I will have some tables brought in and cots set up. It shall not take long to arrange things. After you are settled in, I could show you the old nursery and see what you would like done there."

"Thank you, Charlotte," Mara said.

Cedrick dismissed the other help and excused himself saying, "We will prepare a brunch for you, ready at half past the hour if acceptable."

"That's the best news I've heard. I'm famished." Hal called back from the depths of a bedroom he was exploring.

Lidda wasn't sure what the staff would think of them sharing a room, so she approached Hal on the subject. "Mara didn't give our last names or any comment concerning our personal relationship to the staff."

"No. What's your point?"

"Propriety Hal. Can't you see this household adheres to an older and more formal etiquette?"

"What are you saying? We can't stay in the same room unless we have the same last name?"

"Something like that, yes."

"We should we get married then," Hal said sweeping her into his arms for a kiss.

Lidda laughed, then hesitated, "Or at the very least engaged." She regretted it the moment the words left her lips. She was still engaged to Reddge and would be until she had a chance to speak with him again.

Hal dropped to one knee and with a feigned serious tone asked, "Will you marry me woman? I can't bear to tarnish your reputation any longer."

Lidda laughed. "Maybe we should clear it with the boss."

"Who? Oh, Sir Conner. Of course."

As if on cue, Conner entered the room, "Yes, I agree. The two of you should be married. Have you told him yet, Lidda?"

"Told me what?" Hal asked.

She shot an aggravated look at Conner, who knew perfectly well she hadn't. "No, but now is probably as good a time as any."

Conner left the room to give them the illusion of privacy, closing the door behind him.

"Told me what, Lidda?"

"I'm pregnant." She could see the shock on his face was real. He didn't suspect.

"What?" Hal took a moment and looked her deep in the eyes. "I thought that was just a ploy with those rough necks back there."

"I did too. But I must have known it was true deep in my subconscious. Conner and James detected a new chip growing in my pelvis," Lidda said. "Now, I can sense it as well."

"How is that possible?" Hal said. "I thought we would need a lab set up to combine our DNA strands at best. Your DNA is a later generation than mine."

"Me too. Reddge wasn't certain we could produce viable offspring, that we might be sterile," Lidda said. "Evidence says otherwise."

"How can the chip develop that fast? We've only been together a few weeks," Hal mused.

"That's a Conner or James question," Lidda said. "It all makes sense now. The way Conner and James interact with the infants. If the chip starts developing this early, just think how far advanced these kids will be by the time they are grown."

"What are you saying? The androids are programming them, teaching them?" Hal asked.

"Just like Widhbo taught me, much of it while I was sleeping," Lidda replied.

"You were born with your chip too, Lidda. When did you first find out about it?"

"Not until I discovered the tracker chip in my arm while working at the Gardens and I made them tell me. Widhbo began programming and educating me while I was still in my infancy, until I was put up for adoption. My chip was locked and not activated until the Tollsuns introduced me to Widhbo later in community college. When I got to Provendor, he unlocked all my programming skills one morning and 'Wham!', I was ready to start."

"If Widhbo could do it, then so can the androids," Hal said. "What do you think?"

"I'm sure they are. These kids will be scary smart," Lidda said. "Our kid will be too."

"And we learned something else," Hal said. "The genetic trait to grow a chip in utero is dominant." He grabbed her by the waist and tossed her on the big four poster bed. "You still haven't answered the big question. Will you marry me, Lidda?"

She hesitated. "I haven't formally broken my engagement with Reddge." Lidda's head was spinning. This shouldn't be happening, but it felt right to be with Hal.

"Wait until you talk to Reddge," Hal said. "See if you still feel the same way, then give me your final answer."

They lay together on the bed until time for brunch. Lidda knew what her heart said now, but had to acknowledge that Reddge had an uncanny power over her. She knew that facing him again would be difficult and he could sway her emotions. She had made him a promise, but then Reddge had violated her trust. He had left her behind, broken hearted. Hal had stayed by her side and took care of her. Reddge and Casra had set her up from the beginning to be a vessel for their purpose. She would give Reddge the weapon he needed, but she didn't trust Reddge with her heart anymore.