Leximandra Reports, and other tales Page 6
Oona raised her brows sceptically. 'I see.'
'Does that surprise you, Ms. Temble?'
'Somewhat,' said Oona blandly. 'You don't strike a person as made for practical measures, if you'll forgive my mentioning it.'
'Excellent. Plain-speaking is exactly what I need for this role.'
Oona lifted her brows again.
'Ah, you expected to find a pampered and temperamental noblewoman, good for nothing but the ornamental and essentially incapable of useful activity. Well, that's understandable if you read the papers. Let's just agree that appearances can be deceiving and leave it at that, hm?' She stood up, smiling down at Oona's eminently capable face wreathed in an expression of mild surprise. 'I'd like you to begin in two days, Ms. Temble. Your first task will be to choose your department members. I've budgeted for up to five to begin with. You'll inform me if that's insufficient.'
Oona pulled herself together. 'Thank you, Lady Glostrum. I'd best make my preparations.' She smiled then, unexpectedly. 'I've a feeling it may be interesting working with you.'
Eva chuckled. 'Let's hope so, indeed.'
***
Eva had a desk at home as well. She had resisted getting one for a long time after her appointment to the role of High Summoner, preferring to keep her professional and private lives separate. But at last she had capitulated. She was too often obliged to carry paperwork home with her, and she needed somewhere to keep it. At least she could keep her study as warm as she liked.
Her agenda was becoming complicated. Her working hours for the next few days would be occupied with introducing Oona to her new role and setting up the department. She anticipated some extra hours at the Summoners' Hall, a prospect which sank her spirits. No power in the Darklands could keep that place even remotely warm.
On top of that, there were still preparations outstanding for the ball. Fortunately the Darklands Market was scheduled for the morrow. Eva knew she could send servants to do her shopping for her, and certainly she would take some of them along as her assistants. She liked to visit herself, though. The Market always had an air of jovial confusion which delighted her, and its sheer variety of wares was no less enthralling. She planned to go in search of some rare curios and delicacies for the ball. She wondered, briefly, whether to take her fiance with her, but she decided against it. There was more than enough speculation circulating already.
Eva worked until her fingers grew cramped from holding her pen and her eyes refused to focus. At last she retired to bed. As she sank gratefully under her blankets, appreciating the warmth of the stone hot water bottles that warmed the layers, it occurred to her that she would not have this space to herself for much longer. In a little over a moon, she would be bound to share her free time, her personal space and her body with one man for the rest of her life. As if in defiance of this thought, Eva positioned herself in the middle of the bed and stretched her limbs out as far as they would go. She smiled. At least she could enjoy the vestiges of her freedom in the meantime.
***
About the Author
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Books by Charlotte E. English on Smashwords:
Novels:
Draykon (Draykon Series, 1)
Lokant (Draykon Series, 2)
Orlind (Draykon Series, 3)
Novellas:
The Rostikov Legacy (Malykant Mysteries, 1)
The Ivanov Diamond (Malykant Mysteries, 2)