Read Online Lessons After Dark by Isabel Cooper - Free Book Online

harder than mammals or reptiles. I can’t talk to insects at all, or the smaller sort of fish, and even the bigger ones are difficult.” Charlotte stroked the bird briefly then lifted her hand again and watched it fly off. “I’ve a theory it’s to do with the elements, but I really don’t know.”
    They started walking again. “Do you command them?”
    â€œHardly! That’s why I picked a blackbird. They’re curious enough most times, as long as they know nobody’s going to hurt them. The gift works on human languages too,” Charlotte added, “only I didn’t think you’d be as impressed if I understood you speaking Latin.”
    â€œI don’t know about that,” Olivia said, laughing. “My Latin still isn’t very good. It’s probably the worst part about studying magic. So many books are written in Latin or Greek, and the translations aren’t very good even when they do exist.”
    â€œMaybe you should ask Dr. St. John for lessons,” Charlotte said offhandedly. “Doctors have to know Latin, don’t they? And I’m sure he’d be glad to help.”
    â€œI’m sure,” Olivia said and tried not to sound sarcastic about it. She looked ahead to where a neat row of houses lined either side of a small, cobbled street. “And I think perhaps I should start trying to find my destination.”
    Navigating proved to be fairly easy. The dressmaker’s shop was small, but her sign was in good condition. The cold weather kept most people indoors, so there weren’t crowds to deal with, and Charlotte and Olivia didn’t even get many curious looks as they headed down the street.
    Inside the shop was a different story. When Olivia opened the door, three women were leaning over a table of fabric, studying various weights of black wool. At the sound of the bell, one of them, a slim brown-haired woman, looked up. When she didn’t greet the new arrivals familiarly, or perhaps when her face didn’t show any recognition, the other two turned to look.
    Farmers’ wives, Olivia thought, casting a quick glance over them. One middle-aged, one considerably older, probably mother and daughter or daughter-in-law. Not hostile, but definitely curious. She smiled politely at them and hung back with Charlotte, waiting until they’d finished talking with the seamstress.
    Not that the women left. They simply concluded their conversation and then lingered to “think it over.” Olivia approached the dressmaker—a Mrs. Simmons, as it turned out—introduced herself, and discussed the possibility of a dress for evenings. “Nothing too elaborate,” she said and smiled. “I’m a teacher, after all, so I’d best look plain and stern.” Part of Olivia still wasn’t sure she’d have anywhere to wear even the plainest silk, but there might be village concerts or parties, and it would look well to have people from Englefield attend.
    â€œWe’ve got some wine-colored silk,” Mrs. Simmons said, moving briskly to take down bolts of fabric. “It should make up nicely and wear well, and you’re young yet to be too severe.” She glanced over her shoulder at the other two women who were going through the dance of introductions with Charlotte. “Are you from Englefield, then? We’d heard there was a school starting there.”
    â€œYes,” said Olivia, “we both are.”
    â€œStrange notion,” said the older of the two customers, “starting a school all the way out here. Or coming to one, though I’m sure the two of you had good reasons.”
    â€œIt’s good for young people to be out in the fresh air, Mama,” said the middle-aged woman, “and away from, the sort of thing that happens in the cities. Especially now.”
    â€œMm,” said her mother and turned her gaze back to Olivia and Charlotte. “Do the two