This one is for dxgevo, who wanted a Varlow chappy! Thanks so much and I hope you like it!
"You have a message, Dr. Barlow; shall I read it for you?" The man at the door commented. He was an older gentleman, perhaps even old enough to be her father. Nora guessed that he wasn't accustomed to women being aboard airships let alone reading their own mail.
"That isn't necessary, sir, I can read it myself." She rose from her desk and received the envelope from his outstretched hand. Thankfully he didn't stay to chat and was soon gone from her room.
Written notes were rare on a ship equipped with message lizards. Nora was always pleasantly surprised by the effort of a handwritten letter. She was looking forward to reading the note until she opened it. It was nothing but a sentence or two from her husband. Most women might have swooned over the occasional love note from home, but to Nora they were merely an annoyance.
Hello Dollface!
Greetings from London. I've been horribly busy with work and haven't had time to write sooner. Business is going swimmingly despite the war. Speaking of swimming, I hope your flying fish is doing well.
Cheers,
Alan.
She shouldn't have expected anything better. Alan had never been one for elaborate words. Still, he could have written something about the children or even bothered to let them write her a note. He couldn't even remember that the Leviathan was a whale and not a fish.
But Nora was nothing if not a dutiful and loyal wife. She pulled out a pen and hastily wrote the necessary reply to her husband of three years.
My Darling,
The days are long and the nights are cold and lonely aboard this ship. If only you could share my bed for just one evening.
Please send word back soon,
Nora
She grinned mischievously. After three years Nora knew that a nagging letter would reward her with nothing. She had to be forward and blunt when it came to getting what she wanted from her husband. Even if all she needed was information on the children's wellbeing, a slightly provocative note always swam miles over a drab one. There would be a response back from London in a matter of hours.
Smiling to herself she called for a message lizard.
"Mr. Sharp, please come to my office at once. I have a letter that needs to be delivered."
Deryn frowned at the sealed envelope in her hand. Couldn't Dr. Barlow get off her lazy pampered bum for a few minutes and walk down to the mail room herself? Deryn shook her head and tried to hold back a yawn but it escaped her lips all the same.
"Tired, Mr. Sharp? I daresay you should be in bed at this hour." Said a man from behind her.
Deryn spun around to face Count Volger.
"Aye, sir." She said with annoyance. "But midshipman duties are called for even at this early in the morning."
Volger nodded and pointed to the letter in her hand.
"And what sort of letter is so important that it needs to be delivered at this time?" He asked.
Clever boots never minds his own bloody business. She thought.
Looking down at the note again, Deryn realized she had no clue who the letter was for. Dr. Barlow had explained that the letter was for someone significant, but Deryn had been so exhausted she hadn't paid attention to what the woman had said.
What Deryn could remember was that Dr. Barlow seemed especially angry with whoever would be retrieving the letter. It didn't have an address on it or a name. Deryn was supposed to write that information down herself.
However, how would she know the address of any of Dr. Barlow's boffin friends back home? Most likely the note was supposed to be given to someone on the ship, and who else would annoy the doctor more than the man Deryn was currently speaking to.
She smiled and nodded to Volger.
"I believe the message is for you, sir." She said. It really didn't matter to Deryn whether the letter was really for the count. She had other things to do besides babysitting the lady boffin's mail. Important things, like sleeping.
Volger didn't take the envelope right away and instead crossed his arms and glared at Deryn.
"And why would Miss. Barlow write me a note when she could humiliate me with one of those godless lizards."
Deryn sighed.
"I assure you, sir, I haven't the slightest idea."
His eyes narrowed but he did take the letter and open it. He read it quickly and Deryn hastily tried to walk away so she could go back to bed for a bit before morning duties. She was almost out of earshot when the man called to her.
"One moment, Mr. Sharp, I will be needing your assistance."
"Blisters, what for?"
As she walked back towards him she noticed a peculiar expression on the man's face. Was Count Volger blushing?
"You'll be sending the response note to Miss Barlow, of course." He grinned.
Deryn grumbled a curse under her breath. Apparently she would be getting no more sleep that morning.
To be continued...mwa ha ha.