Read Online The Smoke-Scented Girl by Melissa McShane - Free Book Online Page B

strings,
and her dark brown hair was pulled sharply back from her face and
knotted at the base of her neck. A black cloak lined with sable
nearly concealed her full-skirted, multi-tiered black gown of
finely woven wool, and she wore jet earrings that dangled almost to
her shoulders. It was mourning garb, but Evon had known her long
enough to know that black was simply her preferred color. That it
put people at a disadvantage, wondering how to speak to a grieving
woman, was a side benefit.
    “I mean, we’re all aware of your work ethic,”
Odelia continued, “so it really is surprising to see you on
a...really, Evon, you do realize most people take their
holidays when the weather isn’t so nippy?”
    “I might say the same for you, Odelia,” Evon
retorted, “but since you seem happiest when other people are
miserable, I suppose it’s no surprise that you’re taking your
holiday now.”
    Odelia pretended to be hurt, but her wounded
expression was marred by her trilling, beautiful laugh. “You know
me so well, don’t you?” She glanced at Piercy. “Nothing to say in
greeting, Evon’s shadow?”
    “Good morning, Miss Cattertis,” Piercy said
in a monotone. His hand was gripping the head of his walking stick
so tightly Evon could see the tendons standing out. Piercy had
never liked Odelia, even before he began hating her on Evon’s
behalf. He was also the only one who didn’t believe that the
scholastic rivalry she and Evon had shared had ever become a
romantic relationship. Looking at her with an impartial eye, Evon
could see why someone might have believed it. Odelia had a lovely
heart-shaped face, pink lips that seemed permanently on the verge
of a kiss, and enormous blue eyes fringed with the longest,
blackest lashes Evon had ever seen. She also had the heart of a
snake and a mind to match, all steel edges and indifference as to
whom she cut.
    “Good morning, Mr. Faranter,” Odelia said,
imitating his deep voice with a mocking bow. “Evon, it really is so good to see you again! Still slogging away at At-last and
Company?”
    “I understand you’re working for Speculatus
now,” Evon said. There was no point in engaging her ridiculous
taunts. “Congratulations. Are they treating you well?”
    “Indescribably well,” Odelia said, smiling
coyly. “It’s a pity they didn’t approach you. We did work so
well together, didn’t we?”
    Evon nodded, unable to speak as a hundred
infuriating memories surged up. It didn’t matter that he’d
ultimately taken the top prize in their graduating class, he could
only remember how innocently he’d accepted her first friendly
overtures, how pleased he’d been at the thought of finding someone
who matched him intellectually, how furious and humiliated he’d
been when he realized she’d only collaborated with him to make him
look like a fool. Their relationship hadn’t been so much a rivalry
as a hotly contested war.
    “I don’t suppose you really are here
on holiday?” he said politely, casting his eye over the oncoming
conversation for a way to leave it gracefully and get back to their
task.
    “Business,” she said. “ Secret business.” Her blue eyes twinkled at him. This was the signal for
him to try to drag the secret out of her. He was about to decline
taking the bait when he noticed that Piercy had tensed up, meaning
that something wasn’t right. Piercy might be a terrible liar, but
his instincts about people were excellent. So Evon said,
“ Secret , is it? Can’t you give an old friend a little
hint?”
    “I really shouldn’t.”
    “That’s a shame.” Evon paused, then let a sly
smile touch his lips. “Oh, Odelia, you nearly fooled me. There’s no
secret. Really, is your work so pedestrian that you have to pretend
otherwise?”
    “My work is far more interesting than
whatever you’ve been doing, holed up in that poky old building for
the last six years,” Odelia said hotly.
    “You know where I work? Really, I’m touched
that you