Read Online Leximandra Reports, and other tales by Charlotte E. English - Free Book Online Page A

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)