Heart Search Read Online Free Page B

ladies.
    Absently, Camellia did a brief cleaning spell of the table, sending the china back to the kitchen to be washed.
    Neither she nor her servers could do such spells often during the day, but energy from her delight with D’Blackthorn’s compliments ran high in Camellia.
    At the counter D’Ash asked for several types of tea, one of them “smoky,” which was probably what D’Blackthorn had had. D’Blackthorn gestured to the prettiest and most expensive teapot Camellia carried. Selling that item had just made her operating expenses for the day.
    The two ladies took their purchases and, chatting, sauntered from the teahouse.
    Camellia refrained from skipping as she passed the counter and went into the kitchen for a quick check. All was fine.
    All was fabulous.
    “You handled that very well,” said a familiar voice and Camellia turned to see one of her best friends, Glyssa Licorice.
    Camellia’s breath whooshed from her. “Thanks.”
    “So the designer for the nobility approved of Darjeeling’s HouseHeart?” Glyssa asked. Glyssa’s Family valued intelligence over status, information more than gilt.
    “Yes, she did.” Camellia chuckled, another bit of relief. “Both seemed to think the HouseHeart was as it should be. Thank you for your help.”
    Glyssa tucked her hands in her opposite sleeves and made a noncommittal noise.
    Camellia raised her hand, palm out. “Don’t criticize. They were both born commoners, lower in rank than we, and were very gracious. A few mentions from D’Blackthorn and this place will pull in more folk—from the nobility because she’s one of them, and from the commoners who’ll think that this truly is like a HouseHeart.”
    “I am corrected and rightly so,” Glyssa said. “But I believe you think too much of business.”
    Camellia was always thinking of business, but she didn’t believe that was a fault. Business was exciting. Glyssa’s comment was an old one, and Camellia dismissed it as usual. The Licorice Family was wealthy and Glyssa had never been poor. They just weren’t interested in appearances.
    Then Glyssa’s smile broke out and made her serious and thin-featured face beautiful. “But I came to say that Nuada’s Sword wants to see you and me and Tiana again.”
    Another summons—from the last starship.
    Camellia waved the card D’Ash had given her. “Can’t today.”
    “What’s that?” Glyssa asked.
    “Appointment with D’Ash to get a FamCat today. MidAfternoonBell.”
    Glyssa’s brown eyes rounded with pleasure . . . and, as always, curiosity. “Then tonight . . .”
    “This evening is the Salvage Ball.”
    “Oh. Right.” Another attraction for Glyssa since one never knew what people would bring—anything from jewelry that just might be valuable to grotesquely ugly knickknacks. Camellia admitted she enjoyed going for that reason, too.
    “I’ll scry Nuada’s Sword and tell it that we are busy,” Glyssa said.
    “For the next couple of days.”
    Glyssa scowled.
    “Really. I am. Still getting this place running smoothly, and I need to cat-proof my house.”
    “That’s for sure.”
    “You didn’t already tell Tiana to meet us at the starship?” Camellia asked. Tiana Mugwort was the third friend in their triad.
    “No, she’s busy at the Temple.”
    “That’s all right then.” The stiffness in her shoulders eased.
    “Can I come with you to D’Ash’s?” Glyssa asked.
    As far as Camellia knew, Glyssa had never been to the animal Healer’s office . . . which was located in a Residence, a sentient house. Glyssa seemed to throb with inquisitiveness. “Maybe I can get on the list for a Fam,” Glyssa said, then grumbled, “D’Ash gave Fams to the PublicLibrary, but not to our Family.”
    Camellia would be the first of their group to get an animal companion. Another benefit of taking D’Ash up on her offer of a cat.
    “Of course you can come.” D’Ash’s offices were open to all who needed an animal Healer.
    Glyssa pulled her