Elisia awoke from her silken sheets in a daze. She had stayed up too late, pacing her room and writing out letters to no one in a desperate attempt to sort her frantic mind. As the sun came up, she finally collapsed on her bed, with little regard for her usual routine. He braids had fallen out and her hair was a tangled mess. She cursed and slid out of bed. With a groan, she staggered over to find her robe and throw it over her shoulders before taking her usual morning coffee.
The sun was barely out, clouds were moving in fast. It appeared as though Kittys social gathering would be hosting a storm as well. She prayed silently the weather was not so incapacitating as to hinder the timely departure of guests. Knowing Kitty though, the liquor would be flowing and the guest rooms would be occupied by the end of the night.
Elisia stopped to linger by the large window looking out to the garden. She gazed at the arbor, covered in grape vine, basked in grey daylight. With a lingering sigh she scurried into the kitchen. She grabbed herself an enormous cup of coffee, dumped at least four tablespoons of sugar in and scurried back upstairs before anyone caught her in her bedraggled state. She gulped down coffee and pulled out paper and pen. She chewed on her pen anxiously and wrote.
My Dearest Nadia,
Fendleton Manor is the most beautiful place I have ever been! I can't help but marvel at the architecture, the one subject I dearly wish I had taken up in my readings. I can't say I miss London terribly, there are few memories I will hold to from that place. Nathaniel and Kitty surely are the kindest people I have ever met. I've been working on so many different projects and at last, my mind feels challenged and accomplished. The alliance between commoners and magicians truly is a pickle, it's so hard to please both parties. I almost wish there was a third force to join them, so at least then I could scapegoat someone when everyone's at each other's throats! I wish I could say more, but I feel it's best not to, just to be safe. I'm sure you understand. Anyways, the work has been more than invigorating, and I know that London is a pile of rubble right now, but I can't help but feel that that damned Bartimaeus see's right through me. I've come so far, I feel as if I finally have something to lose. I sometimes think I should just come clean, but…What would they say? Who knows how Kitty and Nathaniel would react. They're even paying me for my work, if you can believe it. I'm saving money, and no, it's not a pile of coins stashed under my mattress! Shocking, I know. But what should I do? Lately I get this heated feeling when the djinni is around, I have to step outside before I'm flushed all over and shivering. It's so strange. Do humans normally feel this way around djinn? I'd like to do some research into the matter, but there are times when Bartimaeus just appears out of nowhere, I just know he would catch me reading. The only thing I know for certain is that even a platonic friendship is typically considered too close for a human and a djinni. I asked him if he ever had affections for Kitty and the idea seemed quite revolting to him. However, he admitted to certain…conquests. Ugh. As usual, he never fails to shock me with his crudeness. But I always come so close to slipping up around him! I don't know what to do. Advice and anecdotes are always appreciated.
Hopefully all is well with your family; I know they've always treated you well. Some of us could never say the same!
Much love, Elisia.
She signed the letter and got up to shower and start getting ready for the ball that evening. She closed her windows before getting in the bath. It was already beginning to rain.