"I'd like to tell her myself."said Terry.

Selina shook her head. Terry had now joined her and Bruce.

"No, you really don't want to do that. She'll think it's nothing more than some complicated joke."she said to Terry. "She won't believe you, and that will only make her more hostile."

Terry certainly didn't want that.

"That's why I should be the one to tell her. She may see you, she may not."

"Why not? Why wouldn't she?"asked Terry.

He didn't expect that. Or was it just that Selina still objected, and was looking for any excuse? He pushed that thought aside.

"It will be a whole new concept, something she's never thought about before, and which may upset her. She's sensitive to change."

"She's traveled a lot, hasn't she? I thought she would be used to changes."

"Don't you pressure her!"she sounded angry. "She's used to certain kinds of changes. It may take her some time, she may want to see you right away, but it may also take days, maybe even weeks."

It would make sense if she needed time to get used to the idea he thought, but weeks? But after all, Selina knew her better. Sighing, he asked, "What if she doesn't?"

"I…honestly don't think there will be very much anyone could do about it if she doesn't, but I'll do everything I can, although she's used to solving things on her own. She doesn't like help from anyone. Her social skills are not very good."she told him.

"I noticed that when I saw her."he remembered. "I asked her about Aragon, but she wouldn't tell me what she thought about it or anything. She would only talk to me about Aragon. She didn't seem to want to talk about herself, although it sounded like she knew everything there was to know about it."he answered.

Selina smiled.

"Oh, she loved Aragon. It's one of her favorite topics. And there's the history to it, of course. Helena knows a lot about European history, especially royalty. Exactly who was related to whom. And not just European. And especially any history having to do with the Iberian peninsula. She knows everything about any subject she develops an interest in. She'll tell you exactly who the current king or queen is descended from. If you want to learn anything about anything she's interested in, she'll know just about all the facts. She knew more about Giorgo Gonzaga than he did himself."

He made a mental note to learn everything he could about history in Europe. Maybe she would open up to him if he was interested in something she liked as well.

"I think that's one of the reasons he found her so annoying."she was saying. "Of course, she meant no harm. She just has little experience with people, and will say or make comments she shouldn't. However, don't think,"she went on, sternly. "that because she's a socially naïve, that you can take advantage of her."

"I would never do anything like that!"he answered.

"He wouldn't."added Bruce.

"You're sure?"demanded Selina.

"I never would!"he sounded angry.

Terry was angry that she would think he would ever do something that might hurt Helena.

"I will take your word for it, Bruce."

Helena waited, sitting on the floor by the sofa, so her face was level with that of the cats lying on the sofa. It wasn't usual for Mere to look so thoughtful, she thought. Whatever it was, Helena thought it must be something serious or bad, and she was starting to get nervous. Her cats also started to look uneasy, some turning their attention to grooming themselves, others looking around.

"I think whatever it is, it's-I can't think of anything that could be,"she stopped. "Is it that you-I-that you're getting married again? To who? But you've told me you were going to be married before."

"No, I'm not getting married, my kitten."Selina answered.

"I didn't think you were. You were never so serious about it. But there's nothing else. Otherwise you would have told me already. But you've just sat there, looking…well, it's something not good, is it?"

Her mother was upset, Helena knew. Selina was one of the very few people Helena knew well enough to be able to tell her emotions.

"I don't really know how you will take this."

"How I would take what? What? That…that…"

Helena stood up.

"No. Sit down."said Selina sternly. "It will be better if you sat down."

"If I sit, you will tell me? Right away? You won't start to…to avoid what ever it is again?"

"Yes, I will, but sit down."

"It's something terrible, isn't it?"Helena whispered. "It must be."

She was being over dramatic she knew. Helena took a small toy that had been on the floor. She found the scent of the catnip that came from it relaxing.

"Then,"began Selina. "you know I went-"

"You said you would tell me."

Selina could see Helena was becoming more anxious. It was going to be a bit more difficult than she had foreseen. However she may take it, it would be better to just tell her tell her straight forward.

"Well, he is your brother."

Helena dropped what she was holding, and stared. She couldn't speak for a few minutes.

"I've never seen any pictures…and you never said…"

"Because I didn't know either."