And what a woman. Magdalene Nox, resplendent in an Armani skirt suit, sipped from her own flute before reaching out and patting Prudence on the cheek she had just kissed.
“You must not read The Caw these dasy, Ms. Fowler. They always have the scoop on who’s attending what. Also I heard you are consorting with the Devil these days, Ms. Fowler. I was not appraised that she is also a redhead. Warms my little heart.”
The intimacy of the joke in the velvety voice made Prudence relax completely, wanting to stretch like a cat in the sunbeam.
“And I was so sure you’re above all this, Headmistress.”
“Ah, so it is true, then!” Nox gave her an encouraging elbow. “Are congratulations in order? Or is this more of a commiseration? She is beautiful, I’ll give you that. But we redheads do tend to have a bad rep.”
Congratulations or commiseration? Prudence had no idea how to answer that question, certainly not at the moment when Paloma Allende was leaning even closer, speaking directly into Rhiannon’s ear.
“I hope you know that since you came in, said Devil has had eyes only for you, despite being what looks like purposefully accosted by our newest mayoral candidate.”
Prudence turned so quickly her hair almost fell out of its bun.
“Really?”
“Oh, love. Really. Though while your girlfriend has nothing to be afraid of from the corner occupied by the Viridescent lease holder, your father, I’m quite certain, must hold on to his proverbial hat. Allende is something. And she is determined.”
Prudence shrugged, the vise around her chest loosening a touch.
“I’m sure he will be prepared. He is stubborn as well.”
Headmistress Nox threw her a careful look that had Prudence staring back just as cautiously.
“He is indeed very stubborn, Prudence. And some could say a change in the old guard who ran the island for decades might be in order. New times demand new methods, wouldn’t you agree?”
The words were too carefully chosen for Prudence to ignore their significance.
“Are you saying you will be voting for Paloma Allende because she is a newcomer and thus would bring new blood to the island?”
Headmistress Nox straightened, and her smile was kind when she looked at Pru.
“I’m saying that I know exactly what Mayor Fowler brings to the table. He has been doing it for years, and plenty are unhappy with—how did you put it? His stubbornness?”
The Headmistress tsked and took another sip of the sparkling wine.
“Fourteen separate anonymous challenges at Crow’s Nest Library, Ms. Fowler. All eventually leading to removal of books form the shelves. Now ask me how many of those Dragons has received and how many I fought to remain in the school’s library.”
Sadly, Pru knew the answer to that question.
“All of them were challenged, Ms. Fowler. Exactly the same titles. And all of them are still available in my school. A leader leads. Otherwise, he’s an accomplice. Some might say Crow’s Nest is due a change of menu. Chefs do tend to become set in their ways, or obstinate, wouldn’t you agree, Mrs. Crowhart?”
Victoria’s cackle was only a touch malicious.
“I’d say you are not going to have any free delivery anymore, Headmistress, if you keep maligning the chefs of this world. Though your mother can have it any time, any place. Make sure you tell her I said so.”
The surprised and perhaps a touch horrified look on Headmistress Nox’s face was comical.
“You didnotimply what I think you just implied, Victoria!”
This time there was no doubt of the sheer slyness in Victoria’s cackle. Pru settled in for the show.
“I’m here to serve, Headmistress. But I do so with more eagerness for the gorgeous women. Kind of like that one.” Victoria motioned with her sharp chin toward the front of the reception area where Rhiannon was still caught in the clutches of Paloma Allende. “Gorgeous, and lethal in the boardroom. Or so I heard, Headmistress.”
The Headmistress pursed her lips before answering.
“She didn’t make it easy on either the school or the town during the negotiations for the Tower, I’ll give you that. And you have to admit that her ideas for Crow’s Nest are ambitious.”
