The Book of Eve by Julia Blake

Author:Julia Blake
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Secrets., Message from beyond the grave., Unrequited love., Tragedy., Friendship., Re-inventing yourself.
ISBN: 9781785380556
Publisher: Andrews UK
Published: 2015-02-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Ruth

‘What are you doing today, Eve?’ At Scott’s question I looked up, blinking in the strong sunlight pouring through the windows of the morning room. Breakfast had long since finished and we were alone. Ferdie and Miles, who’d both stayed the night, had already left for work; Annaliese had not been feeling well and was still in bed; and Robert was closeted in his study, apparently working, but I knew he’d probably be worrying too much about Annaliese to actually get anything done.

Never normally ill, Annaliese had been plagued lately with mysteriously blinding headaches which seemed to descend for no discernable reason, leaving her weak and nauseous. We were all concerned, despite her protesting she was fine, that it was probably old age creeping up on her.

Scott patiently repeated his question and I realised my attention had wandered away from him, gazing in blind intensity through the large windows at the blue skies and large billowy clouds which were massing high up in the heavens.

‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘Daydreaming, erm, what am I doing today? Well, not a lot, I’m sort of between jobs at the moment, Annaliese has no work for me and I can’t decide between these two latest offers which have come in the post?’

‘Who are they from?’ he asked in interest, sitting down beside me and pouring himself a cup of coffee, wincing at its coldness.

‘Well, one’s from Lady Constance, she’s writing another of her bodice rippers and wants me to check out a few things, that’s literally only a day or two’s work, and there’s Sebert Foxton...’

‘Oh?’ Scott’s eyebrows rose. ‘And what does he want?’

‘Apparently,’ I paused and surveyed the letter in my hand. ‘He’s re-writing the Jack the Ripper story, wants me to go back to all the primary sources and see if anything fresh and exciting leaps out at me.’

I pulled a face at Scott. Sebert Foxton was a much loved and popular historical author, even if his writing was a little over blown and florid for my taste. I’d worked for him several times, but, after the fiasco of our last encounter, was reluctant to place myself within his grasp again.

‘What happened?’ Scott asked, and I realised I’d voiced my concerns aloud.

‘Oh, nothing too drastic,’ I replied casually. ‘He somehow got the idea I was a rampant little filly, desperate to be taught a thing or two by a sensitive man of more mature years and ended up chasing me around the library.’

‘Randy old Billy goat!’ exclaimed Scott in horror. ‘How did you manage to convince him no really did mean no?’

‘Hit him in his more mature years with the Oxford English Dictionary.’

‘Ouch,’ winced Scott. “I guess that would do the trick.’

‘Hmm,’ I agreed. ‘So you can see why I’m not keen to repeat the experience.’

‘I’m amazed he actually had the cheek to ask you back.’

‘Yes well, he says, and I quote... I am hoping, my dearest Eve, we can put the regrettable incident in the past and continue on the bright path of friendship our feet had so jauntily begun.

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