Working God's Mischief Read Online Free PDF Page B

Apparent
    Helspeth Ege, Empress Apparent of the New Brothen Empire, placed herself in front of a full-length mirror. She wore nothing but smallclothes. “Hilda. Am I homely?” She knew she was not plump enough but, otherwise, could not judge what she saw before her.
    â€œThat’s hardly a fair question.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œThere’s no way the Empress can count on my answer being truthful.”
    Helspeth scowled. Hilda Daedel had been her principal lady-in-waiting for ages. They had become friends, as much as they dared. Hilda was familiar with Helspeth’s insecurities and obsessions. Lack of confidence in her looks was high on the list.
    â€œDon’t go all philosophical on me. I just need an honest answer.”
    â€œBut when I tell you you’re drop-dead gorgeous, instead of believing me you’ll accuse me of telling you what I think you want to hear. If I say you’re plain you’ll accuse me of—”
    â€œHilda! Why must you be exasperating?”
    â€œI? Hilda Daedel? Of Averange? Exasperating? Maybe because…”
    â€œLet’s stop this.”
    â€œRight behind you, Helspeth.”
    â€œHilda, I’m terrified. When the news breaks…”
    â€œYou’ll have Captain Drear and the Braunsknechts behind you. All of the Braunsknechts. They’re yours, now. You’ll have the Commander of the Righteous when he gets here. Not to mention Ferris Renfrow. And, if the old men do try to brush you aside, the only legitimate successor they could put up is your crazy old Aunt Aneis. She doesn’t know what century it is.”
    â€œThey might think that’s good.”
    â€œEnough. Your problem isn’t vulnerability. You have too much time on your hands. You use it to fuss, worry, and obsess.”
    Helspeth would not see what the mirror reflected. She was not a great beauty but she was a slim young brunette more attractive than most women her age.
    â€œI don’t want to be Empress, Hilda.”
    â€œThe last Ege who asked for the job was your father. And, from what my father says, he didn’t develop a taste for it till he’d had the job ten years.”
    â€œWhy are undergarments always so heavy and rough?”
    Lady Hilda was accustomed to Helspeth’s darting attention. “Because they need washing more often. If you saw what the washerwomen do to keep them clean you’d understand. You’d probably wonder why they aren’t made of iron.”
    â€œMust you always be literal and reasonable?”
    â€œSomeone has to bring balance…”
    â€œDamn you! I need…”
    â€œNo. You don’t. Still, I could develop a fierce case of emotional dependence and go home to plague my husband.”
    â€œHilda?”
    â€œI’m thinking about having another child.”
    â€œStop it.”
    â€œLady va Kelgerberg could take over. She knows the ins and outs.”
    â€œDamn it, stop!”
    Lady Hilda shifted approach but did not stop. She meant to conquer Helspeth’s mood. “What will you do about the Commander of the Righteous once you’re officially Empress? He’ll be yours to do with as you please.”
    â€œYou go too far.”
    â€œThe Commander. The Righteous. Katrin’s crusade. You need to think about them.”
    â€œI will. I have been.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œHilda, I’m a virgin. I’m going to die a virgin.”
    â€œYou’re talking crazier than ever, now. Your value on the marriage market is about to soar.”
    That was true. She knew it. But she meant what she said. The pressure to wed would be relentless. The old men would want to see an heir.
    â€œWhere are they, Hilda?”
    This time Lady Hilda lost the intellectual trail. “They? They who, Helspeth?”
    â€œRenfrow. The Commander of the Righteous. Why aren’t they here to help me?”
    â€œThey’ll be here. But right now they’re