Broom with a View Read Online Free Page B

circumstances, of course, you should have the larger room, there is no question on that, but given the way things are,” Vera hesitated, unsure how to phrase her concerns. “It might be best for it to appear that I benefited the most from the room exchange. We wouldn’t want to encourage any kind of expectations.”
    It was so like her aunt to wait until she was nearly done with the task of unpacking. Violet stifled a sigh and reminded herself that Vera only had her best interest in mind, even if her concerns not only bordered on the ridiculous but took frequent trips beyond.
    “Do you really think that’s necessary?” Violet asked, scooping up a handful of writing quills and sliding open the drawer of the desk to place them inside. She stood frozen for a moment, transfixed with the contents that had been left behind in the drawer. Fortunately, her aunt did not notice her temporary state of petrification and continued talking.
    “I know it may seem silly to you, but propriety must be observed; especially when we are in a foreign land whose customs are strange.”
    Violet hastily shoved the quills in the drawer and slammed it shut. She couldn’t think. What was it that Vera had just said? Something about wanting the larger room. “That’s fine, Vera. If you want this room then you shall have it. I don’t mind packing up again.”
    “Oh , my dear Violet, you misunderstand me. It’s not that I want the larger room; it’s that it is more proper for me to have it.”
    There was a knock on the door. Before Violet could reach it, Vera ha d dashed in front of her and pulled it open only just wide enough as to seem not entirely rude. Behind it stood Sebastian, looking grave as ever. In response to Vera’s startled gasp, he said, “I am sorry to disturb you, but I believe I left something behind and wish to retrieve it before you go to sleep.”
    The Vampire must have taken Vera’s open, gaping mouth as an invitation enough because he glided past her with astonishing speed and grace and approached the desk. Mutely, Violet fell back, creating plenty of space between them. Without so much as a glance in the young Witch’s direction, Sebastian slid open the desk drawer and deftly removed a piece of paper, which he quickly rolled into a tube. Bowing to both the ladies, the Vampire turned to leave.
    Vera found her tongue. “Mr. Du Monde, it was very generous of your father to offer to exchange rooms with us.”
    “As was already said, it benefited us as well as you,” he replied.
    “But we are still grateful , and I would like to thank Count Du Monde personally, if you would be so kind as to take me to him,” Vera persisted.
    This the Vampire was not expecting , and it was obvious the request mildly perturbed him. “I can take any message you have to my father.”
    “I would much rather it be in person,” Vera explained.
    Sebastian looked slightly pink, if it was possible for a Vampire to blush. “Could it wait until tomorrow?”
    Vera was staunchly tenacious when she thought herself to be right. “I’d much rather do it now while the favo ur is still fresh.”
    Sebastian cleared his throat . “I’m afraid it is impossible at the moment.”
    “I don’t see why. It will only take a few minutes of his time.” Vera began to get the impression that Sebastian simply didn’t want a Witch, such as herself, conversing with his father. “I insist,” she added, with all the firmness she could muster.
    Bowing again to both of them, the Vampire said, “I’m afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow. My father, you see, is in his coffin.”
     
    After such an encounter, Vera was adamant about exchanging rooms with her young niece immediately. It took the better part of two hours before Violet was settled again. By then, she was more than ready to lay her head to rest on a pillow.
    Even though the bed was soft and her body yearned for sleep, Violet could not close her eyes. She couldn’t forget what she’d seen in