Chapter Seven #2
“I can’t have children,” Ivey said. “No native-born Martian woman has successfully carried a child to term. My Martian foremothers tried, for many years, in many different ways. Nothing worked. Eventually, we stopped trying and now every Martian with a uterus receives a permanent contraceptive implant by age sixteen.” She pointed to the bare skin of her inner arm.
“The Founding Families found a way to make their households the best option for Earther women to marry into. They looked to a beloved aristocratic era in Earther history for inspiration and set up Houses and walled estates and elaborate costumes to make their lifestyle attractive.”
“So that’s why your mother was an Earther?” And Xavier’s?
“Vivian, my dear, everyone’s mother is an Earther.
But my mother had no business making the attempt to have children.
She was born on Earth, yes, but she spent her adolescence in Martian gravity.
” A tiny sigh escaped Ivey’s lips. “She managed to carry Casp and me. We were both premature and underweight, but we survived. Before and after us, she had many, many miscarriages. The last one killed her.” Ivey looked down at her coffee cup and swallowed.
“Casp and I apportioned half our estate to run the hospital in her honor.”
“I’m sorry,” Vivian whispered. She had known, of course, that Martian women struggled to bear children.
It was the reason for the gene modifications and in-utero treatments, after all.
But she hadn’t realized it was impossible.
She felt a sudden sympathy for Secretary Yarrow.
She had found a way to save her people. Of course she would make any decision, no matter the ethics, to create this chance for Mars.
Ivey waved one long hand in dismissal. “It was a long time ago.”
Vivian hesitated, then ventured, “Can I … Can I ask you about the Intelligence? Xavier said it was indifferent to individual human life.”
“X is hardly an unbiased source on the nature of the Intelligence.”
“But do you think he’s right?” Vivian persisted.
Ivey gave a shrug of her elegant shoulders.
“I’ve no idea. I believe that without the Intelligence, we would not have the same quality of life.
For nearly two hundred years, it has guided us to a life of abundance on a cold, deadly planet where the standard of living could easily be one of subsistence.
But I am not qualified to gauge the Intelligence’s priorities.
I’ve never spoken directly to it. Few of us have. ”
“But Wim does?”
Ivey’s forehead wrinkled in a frown. “Reverend Adair has modified a large portion of his body in order to commune directly with the Intelligence. The option is available to all Martians, although only a few of the most devoted have chosen to pursue such an extreme path. Can you imagine willingly consenting to the removal of an eyeball?” She shuddered. “I think not.”
“Is that the only way to communicate with the Intelligence?” Vivian asked.
“For most of us. I’ve heard a rumor that the Secretary uses a device that gives the Intelligence a physical form she can converse with directly and bypass the reverend and his ilk. But I’ve never seen such a device.”
She’d learned more about the history and culture of Mars in her brief time with Ivey than she had in a full week in Wim’s company.
More questions bubbled to Vivian’s lips, but she cut them off when Caspian rapped twice on the door frame.
“I’ve just heard word that Delilah is ready for release. Join me, Vivian?”
“Of course.” Vivian gulped the last of her coffee and rose with alacrity. “Thank you,” she said to Ivey. “For everything. I hope I can call you a friend.”
Ivey looked up sharply. Had Vivian violated another Martian custom? Were Martians and Earthers not often friends? But then Ivey inclined her head. “Friends, then.”
At the door, Caspian grabbed his top hat from the stand in the front hall and bowed her out of the house.
Vivian thought she’d become accustomed to the stares that had accompanied yesterday’s hospital visit, but the attention was so much greater walking at Caspian’s side.
He nodded comfortably at everyone they passed and strode confidently through the hospital halls without an escort.
As if he owned the place, Vivian realized with some amusement.
Delilah was sitting up when they entered, the color restored to her cheeks. A wave of relief passed over Vivian. “How are you feeling, baby sis?”
“Just fine,” Delilah said with a tired smile. She looked up at Caspian and blushed. “Mr. Hayes.”
Caspian swept off his top hat and bowed deeply to her. “Miss Bowen, I am so very glad you are recovered. You gave us all quite a scare.”
Delilah stared down at her hands as they twisted the blanket.
Vivian recognized the signs of exhaustion in her normally gregarious sister. “Ready to go? I bet without you to referee, Camille and Luz are about to murder each other.”
“You’re both welcome to stay an extra day,” Caspian said. “It would be my honor to host you in my home.”
Delilah looked pleadingly at Vivian.
“Thanks, but we should be getting back,” Vivian said to Caspian. She was desperate to check her messages again and see if she’d heard from her parents or Evie.
Caspian’s face fell, but he recovered gallantly. “Of course, you must be missing your friends. I will arrange transportation at once. Please, allow me to extend my hospitality until the car is ready.”
Delilah’s eyes widened when Caspian escorted them to the gates of the Hayes House and grew even rounder when they stepped into the bright, wide atrium.
“Xavier! Ivey!” Caspian bellowed. “Come wish our guests well before they are on their way.”
Ivey emerged with good grace and lightly embraced Delilah. “I am so glad you are feeling better.” To Vivian, she said, “I very much enjoyed getting to know you,” and touched the top of her hand.
Xavier took longer to arrive and, when he did, his nose was buried in his reader. “Safe travels,” he said without even looking at her.
Vivian exchanged a glance with Ivey. Honestly, the man was infuriating. And then the groundcar was there, and Vivian and Delilah were whisked away from the estate.