Tammad was there, but I almost didn’t recognize him. He wore a dark gold formal suit, one-piece and form-fitting, with a light blue ascot at his throat that matched his eyes. His feet were encased in short gold boots that gave him unnecessary extra height, and his blond hair had been combed. When he heard me he turned, and a small smile touched his lips.
“Collat indeed,” he murmured, coming close to stare down at me. “Should the men of your world prove to be other than darayse, I will have to fight for you this night. Gladly will I do so.”
“The men of my world don’t fight for women.” I said, ignoring the feeling that I sounded apologetic. “They offer themselves, and then wait for a woman to choose them.”
“More fools, they” He grinned, stepping back again. “We had best be on our way now, lest we find the need to redress. You tempt me sorely, and I am but a man.”
I didn’t have to be told that twice, and hurriedly led the way to my hangar. I opened the door of my speedster and tried to step up to the hatch, but found that it was impossible—the windings of the cloth were much too tight. I stood there, wondering what to do, and the problem was solved for me. Tammad picked me up without the least effort, then put me in through the hatch; I got to the controls as quickly as possible—he had put his face to my stomach before setting me back on my feet.
The safety harness of the second seat closed around Tammad, but only on the last notch, and at that, just barely. I got us airborne and set the course for Jan’s place, then put it on automatic. It was a twenty-five minute flight, and I didn’t care for the thought of accidents, but I needn’t have bothered. Tammad sat stiff and straight in the seat, his jaw set, no expression on his face. He was obviously afraid of flying, and that confused me. If he was that afraid, why had be come?
We eventually reached Jan’s house, where I landed among dozens of other speedsters and quadriwagons. It was barely past the earliest party time, but most of the other guests had already arrived. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one who was curious about the new Jan.
Tammad unstrapped with a great deal of relief, led the way out of the speedster, then lifted me down; I took over the lead to Jan’s front door and walked right in. The short hall into Jan’s party room was deserted, but the party room itself was beginning to be well filled.
Jan had decorated floor, walls and ceiling with dimmed pinpoint glows, giving the effect of jewels scattered about all over. She had resisted this year’s furniture choice, wisely staying with last year’s long, low, plain look. People stood or sat about, chatting around the soft music, but Jan was nowhere in sight. I caught a glimpse of someone coming toward me, and turned to see Vera. She wore a short, lilac party dress of plumed feathers, and nervously plucked at one of the feathers as she hurried over.
“Terry, I’m glad you came,” she whispered. “I wanted to refuse the invitation, but Jan begged me. You must have spoken with her this morning. What did you think?”
“I didn’t like it,” I admitted, looking at the crowd again. “Hasn’t she come down yet?”
“Not yet,” Vera said. “And that isn’t like her, either. Terry, you don’t think she’s—sick?”
“We’ll find out once we talk to her,” I said soothingly. “It isn’t smart jumping to any ...What’s the matter?”
Vera’s glance had gone past me, and she’d suddenly paled and gasped. I looked around to see what had frightened her, but couldn’t find a thing. I turned back, and she pointed a restrained finger behind me.
“Don’t you see him?” she demanded in a whisper. “I’ve never seen a man that big! He makes me nervous just standing there.”
It finally came through that she was talking about Tammad, so I smiled weakly, “As a matter of fact, Vera, he’s the house guest I was telling you about. Do let me introduce you.”
Vera had as little choice about going as I’d had about offering. We both turned reluctantly to Tammad, but I knew I was the more reluctant. I had no idea how he would acknowledge introductions.
“Vera, allow me to present Tammad sek L’lenda, my colleague from Dremmler’s sector. Tammad, this is my friend, Verasten Hardy”
“I am honored, Verasten Hardy,” Tammad said, his direct, blue eyes smiling at Vera. “Your presence makes the room glow more brightly”
“Why thank you!” Vera simpered, forgetting all about how frightened she’d been. “You’re going to be a wonderful new addition to Central. Terry, why have you been hiding him? He’s absolutely delightful.”
“I’m glad you think so.” I muttered, and then kept quiet. It was a miracle that Tammad had said the right thing. He might just as easily have ripped off her clothes and raped her. But then in all honesty I had to admit that that wouldn’t have been possible. Rimilian customs demanded courtesy from a man when dealing with a woman who wasn’t his. He was only free to rip and rape after the woman was given to him.
Strangely enough, the other women in the room began drifting over, keeping me busy for a while with introductions. Then the women had Tammad surrounded, and he was busy being courteous. He seemed to be enjoying himself so much that I walked away from the throng to sit down.
“Terry that wasn’t very fair of you,” Allynson Scoville scolded gently as he came up to me. “Bringing a man like that to a party almost guarantees that the other men will sit alone. Shame on you.”
“I’m a ba—a-d girl.” I answered unsympathetically “How have you been doing, Allyn?”
“Well enough.” He nodded amiably as he sat down near me. “I must compliment you on your outfit tonight, my dear. The stark simplicity of it is very stirring. Would you like to go to a real with me later on this week? I understand there are some good ones about these days.”
“I think I’ve had enough of reals for a while,” I answered, brushing at my hair. “Have you any idea about what’s been happening with Jan? She called me this morning and I almost didn’t know her.”
“I haven’t the faintest.” he said, shaking his head. “Rod called me with the invitation, and he seemed a bit strange, too. I imagine that’s why everyone is here so early—they want to hear about this magnificent revelation.”
“Well, they’d better get down here soon,” I muttered, looking back toward the party room’s entrance door. “I’ve never been to Jan’s private part of the house, but if they take much longer, that’s just where I’m going.”
“You’d better have patience, Terry,” Allyn cautioned, bringing my attention back to him. “This is not a situation we’ve ever come across before. We’ll all find out about it eventually, but right now the music is lovely. Would you care to dance?”
Allyn had always been a good dancer, and I almost accepted before remembering that Tammad was there, too. I enjoy dancing, and had no intentions of ruining that enjoyment by being forced to dance for a barbarian.
“Some other time, Allyn,” I answered, shaking my head. “I’m too upset right now”
He nodded in understanding and sat back, and we continued to chat for a while. A few of the other men came over, asking whom the stranger was, and I repeated my explanations. They nodded too and glanced over at the knot around Tammad, but made no move to join them.
A few more people showed up, two of the women going over to the others around Tammad. They’d urged Tammad into a chair out of respect for the cricks in their necks, and were taking turns trying to get his attention. Tammad himself had a slightly amused smile on his face, as if he were used to having women throw themselves at him. The whole thing irritated me, so I looked away and didn’t look back.
The soft music that had been playing since I’d arrived trailed off and then stopped altogether. No one noticed it at first, but when they did the buzz of conversation grew louder. Music was rarely interrupted at a party until the party was over.