Free The Hourglass by Bárbara Metzger Page A

cold numbers.” He offered her another glass of wine, but she refused, noticing how little he imbibed. The last thing he’d want was a wife turned wanton by the spirits, or made sloppy in her calculations, or falling asleep in his big, soft-looking bed. “Maybe I should leave now. If we are to depart early…”
    “The ship sails when we are ready, not before. But come, I want to know what you want for yourself, so I know how much of my fortune I can spend on good deeds.”
    Having a glimpse of the vastness of his wealth, Genie knew he was teasing again. She could not spend a tenth of it in her lifetime.
    “What would you like most?” he asked. “Jewels? Artwork? Greenhouses full of exotic blooms? Tell me.”
    “I like the idea of turning workhouses into training places, where poor people can learn a trade.”
    “No, I mean for yourself, besides a new wardrobe, of course. You’ll need one for the changing seasons, and your changing shape. We already have two houses, or is it three? I believe they are crowded with treasures, with a safe full of heirloom gems. But what else would you spend money on, now that you can? All I gave you as a wedding gift was a plain gold ring.”
    Genie had intended to give him her body. “I gave you nothing.”
    “Of course you did. You made me laugh. Now it is your turn.”
    She took a moment to think. Recently all she had wanted was to know that her rent had been paid, that the butcher would not refuse her credit. A new ribbon to freshen her old bonnet had been a rare luxury. Now she could have anything she wanted—anything money could buy, that was.
    Ardeth was adding another chunk of coal to the already-blazing fire. “Surely you must have dreamed of something when you were growing up?”
    Her parents’ affection, her sister’s friendship? Those he could not purchase for her. “I wanted a pony of my own, but always had to share with my sister.”
    “That is no challenge. I intend to fill the stables anyway. You may have your choice of the best-behaved mounts. What else?”
    “Well, I once thought I would like to travel, but following the army cured me of that, I suppose.”
    He nodded. “Travel is not all it is cracked up to be, by Harry.”
    “I suppose you have seen all the sights, though, all the marvelous places of the world. If I could, I’d like to see the Great Pyramids.”
    “No, you wouldn’t like them. Sandstorms and locusts.”
    “The Alps, then. They are said to be awe-inspiring.”
    “Avalanches.”
    “India, with the colorful markets and the spice trade.”
    “The worst. Constant droughts, then constant floods. The same as Africa. Insects and epidemics. Besides, getting to any of those places is hazardous enough. Hurricanes, cyclones, shipwrecks galore, to say nothing of pirates and mutinies.”
    She had to laugh. “What about the moon?”
    “No one has managed to die there. Yet. You will be far safer in England.”
    She was still chuckling, thinking he was joking again. “How is it you have traveled the world over and seen nothing but doom and destruction? Were you so busy that you saw nothing beautiful anywhere?”
    Ardeth looked at Genie, with the firelight behind her making her robe more diaphanous than ever. He could make out the shape of her rounded breasts and the rosy glow of her nipples. Her red-gold hair was curling from the heat in the room, forming a shimmering halo around her delicate features. And her soft lips were turned up in a smile. For him.
    “I do not think I have ever seen a more lovely sight than right now.”
    “Oh.” Her smile faded. “You need not give me Spanish coin, you know, false flattery. That was never part of our bargain. And you have convinced me: I will be content to view the moon through the window, and think about visiting Scotland or Ireland.” She started to rise.
    “So you may give away another wagonload of gold to those who actually need it. Good night.”
    “No, do not leave yet. We have much more to