The Gadget: The Rondon Chronicles Book One by V. Timlin (speed reading book .TXT) 📕

with anyone who has money or power.” Nat’s tone was amused.

Anouk risked glancing at him and was rewarded with a grin and a wink.

The door opened and a middle-aged woman swept in.

“Nat, my darling,” the woman uttered in a husky tone.

Nat stood, took his hat off and bowed.

Madam Valeria looked like a woman of means—well-tailored yet low-cut luxurious purple dress, pearl drop earrings, long pearl necklace and several gold rings on her fingers. She was tall and curvaceous; a few silvery streaks embellished her dark intricately braided, floral decorated coiffure. She bore a striking resemblance to a late Victorian noblewoman Anouk had once seen pictured in a museum.

The madam sashayed over to Nat, offering her hand with the same fluid motion. He kissed it, holding his gaze on her.

“Let me introduce you to my business partner, Miss Herring.” Nat gestured towards Anouk. Madam Valeria’s deep-blue eyes flickered in her direction.

Anouk rose from her seat, pondering if she should bow or curtsy—she resolved to give former. “Pleased to meet you, Madam Valeria.”

The madam proffered a light kiss on both of Anouk’s cheeks. The strong perfume assaulted Anouk’s nose, and she was close to sneezing.

“Pleased to meet you too, Miss Herring.” Madam Valeria took a few steps back. She regarded Anouk from head to toe with the dispassion of a veteran trader. The gesture irked Anouk.

“Your business partner is quite pretty, my darling,” Madam Valeria said to Nat before facing Anouk again. “Jasper told me about the incident in the gambling room, Miss Herring.”

“Sorry about that. It was a minor misunderstanding.”

“It should be us apologising.” Madam Valeria gave an ethereal smile. “Jasper said you used a hand trick he had not seen before to subdue the man… impressive.” She paused and winked. “And Jasper knows all the hand tricks.”

Anouk clasped her hands behind her back. “Er, it was just something I’ve picked up.” The wrist lock she had performed was attracting far too much attention for her taste.

“Fascinating,” Madam Valeria breathed and tilted her head. “I do not recognise your accent. Where are you from, Miss Herring?”

Okay, she was getting far too much attention now. Anouk shot an alarmed look at Nat.

“Miss Herring is from down south.” He lied to the madam with the same ease as he had with Dr Arnar. Anouk hoped it would work more effectively this time.

“Shall we talk business?”

Madam Valeria heaved a dramatic sigh and smiled to Anouk. “With Nat, it is always business, business, business.” She strolled to a divan facing the door.

“Thank you,” Anouk mouthed to Nat, who gave her a single nod in acknowledgement before turning towards the madam.

“So, what can I do for you?”

“You probably know the former warlord, Stalo De Meriweth, escaped from prison three days ago.” With Valeria’s nod of acknowledgement, Nat continued, “I wounded him this morning, but he managed to escape and has gone into hiding.”

“And you came to see if I had any information about his potential hiding places.” Madam Valeria’s tone was sweet and amused.

Anouk glanced over at Nat. How many times had he asked her for a favour? And was money really the only way he returned them?

“Madam Valeria, you know me too well.” Nat smiled.

“Yes, my darling, I do.” She tucked her feet up onto the divan, leaning on the arm. “I do not have anything for you now, but give me two days.”

“Thank you.”

A knock on a door interrupted them.

“Enter.”

The door opened and Jasper bowed to his employer. “There is a gentleman in the library, madam.”

“Thank you. Tell him I will be right there.”

The fabric rustled and the pearl necklace rattled when Madam Valeria stood from the divan. Nat and Anouk followed suit. The meeting was clearly over.

Madam Valeria faced Nat. “I am afraid I have to go now. These gentlemen are always so impatient, and I am just a poor businesswoman. I cannot afford to keep them waiting.” She uttered another dramatic sigh. “But please, come again in two days—the usual arrangement.” She lifted her hand and Nat kissed it once more.

“Of course,” Nat replied.

Madam Valeria looked to Anouk. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Herring.”

“The pleasure was all mine.” Relief filtered into her formal phrase.

A smile appeared on Madam Valeria’s face. “You are a very fascinating woman.”

Anouk stiffened. “Thank you, madam.”

Madam Valeria’s intent gaze unnerved her. What did she want from her?

“There is something unique about you, I can tell,” the madam continued, walking slowly towards her. “Do you have any Ulda-blood?”

“No,” Anouk responded at the same time as Nat said, “Yes.”

Madam Valeria ignored Nat. “Fascinating.” She stopped only a step away from Anouk and reached to touch her cheek, but Anouk took a step back. The madam flashed a smile. “Please accept my apologies, my darling. You see, Miss Herring, I have never seen eyes like yours. Greenish-brown… beautiful.” She nodded, a hint of calculation entering her admiring look. “I could offer you employment—the money is superb. In addition to your unique eyes, you have a good bone structure and agreeable pale complexion. Breasts are quite small, but then not all men like big bosoms. And you have skills. You would do well… very well.”

The burning blood rushed back to Anouk’s face and neck as she fought the urge to slap Madam Valeria across her painted face.

“You are very kind, but at the moment, I have no desire to pursue another career path.” Anouk’s tone dripped ice.

“Oh, such a shame.” Madam Valeria gave Anouk a regretful look and offered her hand. “Please, keep my offer in mind, will you?”

Anouk stared at the hand like it was a five-headed snake but knowing the woman to be an important informant, with a reluctance Anouk reached out and gave a quick dead-fish handshake.

Sensing friction, Nat angled his body ever so slightly between Anouk and Madam Valeria. “Miss Herring is only here for this assignment, and then she has another engagement away from the city.”

The Madam regarded Anouk for a moment. A slow smile split her face, giving a predatory edge to her