"Pardon," Norton said. "Forgive the interruption, but you have lost me. How can a ghost marry?"

Gawain smiled. "Yes, I thought that would throw you. It threw me, first blush. It is a device used when a noble family wishes to preserve its line-when the heir is defunct. They marry the ghost to a suitable girl-one he would have approved of in life-who then bears his heir."

"But-"

"But a ghost can't impregnate a living woman. That is indeed a problem."

"Yes. I really don't see how-"

"I'm coming to that. My wife may associate with any man she chooses-but she is my wife, by the ghost marriage, and her child is mine. He will inherit my estate and carry on my line."

"But then she's being unfaithful to you!" Norton protested.

"I had trouble with that concept, too, at first. But I came to terms with it. She knows she must provide the heir and that I can not do it personally. But I am involved, for I am choosing the man. With her consent, of course; marriage is a partnership. She has refused several good prospects."

"Are yon sure she really wants to-?"

"Oh, I'm sure," Gawain said confidently. "She is a good and honest woman. She is not trying to renege. She merely wants to do it exactly properly. She has this magic talent: she can tell by looking at a man how good a consort he would make. That's one reason my family selected her. They didn't want the heir sired by some ne'er-do-well bum with poor heredity. She really is special. If I had met her in life, I surely would have loved her, though I wouldn't have had much patience with her views about dragons. She can't bear to hurt any living creature. So 'f I bring her a man she deems good enough to-"

Realization struck Norton. "This favor-"

The ghost nodded. "Precisely. I want you to meet my wife, and if she likes you-"

"Wait!" Norton spluttered. "I take my women where I find them, when they are amenable, but never a married one! That wouldn't be right."

"I like you, Norton. You have the right instincts. I was afraid out here in the park I'd find only wishy-washy sentimentalists, but you've got style. I think my wife would like you, when she didn't like the warrior types I sent before. Look at it this way: I have no physical body and I need an heir. I'm asking you to substitute for me in this one respect. After that you can go your way, with no further commitment. It's like repairing my house for me, and I'll pay you for the service-"

"Some service!"

"Literally." The ghost chuckled. "I realize this is hard for you to accept right away and I like that in you. But at least come to meet Orlene. Maybe she'll reject you."