Walking through Leister Square, they heard a woman shout in French, “My purse. Stop. That thief has my purse.”
Looking around, Rebecca saw a young man running toward her clutching a woman’s handbag. He dodged around her. She stuck out one long leg and the man flew through the air, skidding along the sidewalk when he landed. Pouncing on him, she grabbed the purse.
He twisted away from her and a knife flashed in his right hand. Without stopping to think, she spun and landed a roundhouse kick to the side of his head. Making no attempt to break his fall, he crashed face first on the street with a sickening crunch. Reaching out for his mind, she discovered Carly had already captured him.
“You know, you don’t have to get physical,” Carly said, shaking her head. “Learn to reach for your Talents first.”
A middle-aged woman rushed up. Looking at Rebecca, she spoke in halting English, “Thank you,” she pointed to the purse, “that mine.”
Rebecca smiled and handed it to her. Speaking in French, she said, “You’re quite welcome, Madame. I didn’t think it was his, it didn’t match his shoes.”
The woman laughed, and launched into a long explanation in French of what had happened. At that point, two policemen showed up, and it took half an hour to sort things out. The thief proclaimed his innocence and accused Rebecca of beating him up for no reason. Of course, none of the witnesses agreed with him. Irina, Siobhan and Rebecca all translated for the French tourist, often at the same time, and in spite of one of the policemen telling them several times that he spoke French. The poor policemen looked like they were about to lose their minds. Finally, they made a decision and the thief, bloody and scraped, was arrested.
Their party started to gather themselves when a woman holding a pencil, paper and electronic recorder stepped in front of Rebecca.
“I’m Dorothy Spalding, Daily Telegraph. That was a very brave thing you did.”
Rebecca blushed, then registering that the woman in front of her was with a newspaper, her eyes widened in panic. Carly! She’s a reporter. What do I do?
Carly was several feet away with her back to Rebecca. She whipped around and took in the scene in a glance. Although twenty years older than her friend, she hadn’t been in such a situation either.
Smiling sweetly, Siobhan stepped between Rebecca and the reporter.
“She joost did wha’ any gud Chrristian wou’ha doon in herr place,” Siobhan said in a thick North Irish accent, “prrotected th’ innocent frra’ a’ English brrigand.” She took Rebecca by the arm and whipped her away from the reporter, walking away down the street.
We need to do something about your accent, Siobhan sent on a thread. You, Brenna and Irina are traveling on Irish passports, but the minute you open your mouths, you’re instantly identifiable as Yanks.
That evening, Siobhan implanted small constructs with Irish accents in her three young friends.
~~~
Brenna had heard rumors that part of the reason Collin went to London so often when she’d first met him had to do with a lady who lived there. Rebecca, who was a gossip database, said they’d been in a relationship for over two years before Brenna came along.
Their third morning in London, Brenna eyed Collin with a lascivious grin, “I heard there’s a pretty blonde you’re rather fond of here. Have you seen her?”
“Pia? Yeah, I’ve seen her.”
“Would you like to spend some time with her? I wouldn’t mind.”
He came out of the bathroom, took her in his arms and said, “Okay, Brenna, what’s up? Do you have someone you want to spend time with?”
“Well, I would like to spend a little time with Nigel and Noel. You know, keep on friendly terms, network a little.”
He laughed. “Network? Is that what you’re calling it now?”
She blushed.
“Brenna, yes, I would like to spend some time with Pia, thank you for asking,” he said with a chuckle. “But Saturday you’re all mine. I’m taking you out to see the sights and I have theater tickets.”
“You do? Great! I love you so much!” She kissed him, and one thing led to another and they were late going down for breakfast.
“I would like to meet her,” Brenna said when they finally made it downstairs. “Will you introduce me?”
He led her across the room where the breakfast buffet was laid out. As they approached a group of three women, it became very obvious which one was Pia.
“Pia Lindstrom, I’d like you to meet Brenna O’Donnell.”
Pia Lindstrom was six feet tall, around thirty years old though looking twenty, and gloriously blonde. Brenna wondered why she was in London instead of doing photo shoots as a member of the Swedish national bikini team.
“I’m so pleased to meet you,” Brenna gushed. “Collin’s told me so much about you.”
Collin’s face reddened.
“I’m pleased to meet you, too,” Pia said, looking down her nose and hesitating before shaking Brenna’s outstretched hand.
Brenna looked the tall woman up and down. “I’m sure you have many admirable qualities, but it’s easy to see why he was first attracted to you.”
Pia coldly replied, “I think I could say the same about you.”
“And I’d take it as a compliment,” Brenna smiled broadly. Almost reluctantly, a smile spread across Pia’s face.
“I do hope we have a chance to chat while I’m here,” Brenna said. “I’m sure we have a lot in common. Well, have to run. Collin, have a good time.”
She picked up a glass of orange juice and crossed the room to where Nigel was pouring himself a cup of tea. “Do you have plans this evening?”
“Not unless you have plans for me,” he smiled.
“Actually, I was hoping we could have a drink after dinner.”
“I’d like that. I’d like that a lot.”
On their way into the small auditorium where the Council met, she caught Noel’s arm. “When are you going home?”
“On Sunday.” He looked at Collin talking with Pia. “Do you have some time?”
“I was hoping you’d be free tomorrow night,” she replied.
“Dinner? I know a nice place I think you’d like.” They made a date.
~~~
After finishing the agenda right after lunch, Seamus asked if anyone had any new business to present to the Council. Callie stood.
“As you all know, I reluctantly accepted the designation as my father’s heir after my brother died. At that time, there didn’t appear to be another viable candidate. Events over the past year have caused me to reevaluate that, and so I am withdrawing my bid to succeed my father. Mr. Chairman, I propose that Brenna Aoife O’Donnell, your granddaughter, be named heir, to succeed you as chief of Clan O’Donnell.”
Caroline and Karen both shot to their feet and Seamus recognized Caroline. “I second the motion.”
“Miss MacIntyre, did you have something to say?” Seamus asked.
“I was going to second, but instead I would like to speak in favor of the motion,” Karen replied.
In short order, Nigel, Noel and Jill rose, saying they also wished to speak in favor. Then William, with a look at Jill, rose. “Mr. Chairman, I would also like to speak in favor of the motion.” Several gasps were heard from various parts of the room.
After Callie presented her reasons for nominating Brenna, the others took their turns, speaking of her in glowing terms. Finally, William rose to speak.
“I’d like to tell you a story about my boats,” he began. Several groans were heard. “When I met Brenna at Thanksgiving, I asked to meet with her privately, and we had tea for about two hours. During that time, I asked her a few questions about her background, her views, and tried to get a picture of how she saw the world and her place in the Clan. But mostly, I talked about my boats. I talked about them for probably an hour and a half.” Chuckles were heard.
“Brenna,” he turned to her, “how many boats do I have, what kind, and how big are they?”
/> “A thirty-two foot sailboat and a thirty-five foot motor launch,” she replied.
“And what was the last thing I told you at the end of our meeting?”
“That the boats were the second-most important thing in your life, after your family.”
“Now, ladies and gentlemen, I defy any of you to tell me you would have still been paying attention after two hours of listening to me prattle on about my damn boats. I was beginning to bore myself.”
Laughter erupted.
He turned to Brenna again, “What I learned that day was that while you might not agree with me, and I’m sure you don’t on the wilder issue, you will listen to me. That, and you have the patience of Job.” More laughter. “All I’ve ever asked of anyone here was to listen, and give me and my ideas a fair hearing. I’ll follow someone who includes my input in her decisions, even if it’s a decision I don’t agree with. I’ve followed Seamus all my life, and there’s not much we agree on, except our devotion to the Clan. But I know he listens to me with respect. I cast my vote to name Brenna the heir.”
He sat down, and Brenna sent him a spear thread, You were sandbagging me!
Yes, and let that be a lesson, the easiest disguise to assume is that of a fool.
Lesson learned, thank you.
Brenna, Seamus is not a fool. Some people think I got my position by nepotism. But Seamus would keep an idiot close where he couldn’t do any damage, not stick him out in the middle of nowhere to build a base on a continent we know so little about.
Second lesson learned.
I look forward to working with you, Lady O’Donnell.
The proposal was ratified unanimously.
Brenna rose to speak, “In fifty years, when I make a decision you don’t agree with, or ask you to do something you don’t want to do, remember that I didn’t ask for this. But I will take my duty, my responsibility, seriously. I’m young, but Seamus says that’s curable.” Laughter.
“I am willing to listen and learn. I know the world in one hundred years will be vastly different, just as today is different from a hundred years ago, when Seamus’ vision built this Clan into the power it is today.”
She slowly scanned the faces of those in the audience. “I’m a very democratic sort of girl. I’ll always listen, and I’m not afraid to change my mind. I’ve been wrong a lot, and I’m just getting started. I’m sure I’ll get better at being wrong with practice.” A ripple of soft laughter rewarded her comment. “But make no mistake. I’m an O’Donnell. When the decisions are made, I expect everyone to get on board. If you expect someone who’s easier to manipulate than Seamus, I suggest you rearrange your expectations.”
Letting a smile light her face, she assumed a low Glam. “Of course, since Seamus is going to live to three hundred, you probably won’t have to deal with me for a long time.” A ripple of laughter ran through the audience at the dismayed expression on Seamus’ face.
Brenna’s smile and Glam died. Her voice changed from silver bells to a cold north wind. The temperature in the room dropped noticeably. “I’m young, I’m naïve, and woefully ignorant in many areas. It’s up to you to educate me. But don’t ever think you can get away with ignoring me. I’ll do everything in my power to earn your respect, but if you want mine, remember it’s a two-way street.”
Seamus looked around the room. With the exception of those who already knew her well, the look in their eyes was astonishment and wariness.
He chuckled, then spoke, “As she said, she is an O’Donnell.”
The room warmed and Brenna resumed with a smile, “I’ve listened carefully to everything that’s been said here the past few days. I’m very eager to start learning my new role, and I hope I can contribute to what you’re doing very soon.” She saw some people start to look a bit uneasy.
“It seems most of our operations are doing very well, but there are a few areas that could use some new ideas. I think I have a lot to offer, and sometimes a new perspective can work wonders. I mean, the same old stodgy business stuff can always use an enthusiastic boost, right?” The uneasiness spread.
“I think that, with the Council and Lord O’Donnell’s permission, I’d like to lend a hand to our Australian operation to start, if that’s all right.”
Relief was palpable. She was soon promised a budget as Vice-Chair and a member of the Executive Committee, and a small staff. Those resources could be used to study the issues in Australia and she would have a free rein in trying out new solutions to help poor Aislinn solve her problems. Brenna made a note to herself to use some of that budget to hire a travel coordinator to take some of the burden off Rebecca.
I don’t believe you pulled that off, Aislinn sent her.
After the meeting, she approached Aislinn. “Check your inbox. Collin found over fifteen hundred Clan members in the Pacific Northwest.”
William sauntered over. “What have you got up your sleeve?”
Brenna smiled at him, “Uncle William, I don’t have any idea what you mean.”
“Don’t bat your eyes at me. That was quite a performance.”
“You’re not the only one who can sandbag,” Brenna said with a wink.
“So I see. Aislinn, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
Brenna stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “You wouldn’t know any accountants that might like to relocate to Melbourne, do you?”
He smiled, “I might have a couple of resumes I could send over. Do you know if your friend Rebecca is busy tonight?”
“I’m not her social secretary, but the last I heard she was hopelessly dateless.”
There’s nothing hopeless about that girl,” he grinned, “but if she’s not feeling too picky, I can remedy her dateless condition.”
As he walked away, Aislinn said, “Where did that come from?”
Brenna gave her a crooked grin. “Don’t ally yourself too closely with him, but I think there’s a lot more there than most people think. South Africa isn’t that far away from Australia, is it? You don’t suppose that two suppliers of natural raw materials might have some synergies, do you?”
Brenna smiled and batted her eyelashes, “Don’t you love that word, ‘synergy’? I read about it in a book Callie loaned me.” Aislinn about fell over laughing.
~~~
During cocktails before dinner, Seamus approached Brenna. “What are you and Aislinn cooking up? She looked a little too happy to have your help when you were going out of your way to scare the pants off everyone else.”
“Why do you think that?” Brenna gave him her best wide-eyed, innocent look. “No one else seems to have that impression.”
“Brenna …,” he eyed her with that ‘don’t bullshit me’ expression she was becoming familiar with, his head slightly cocked to the side, one eyebrow raised and his lips pursed.
She smiled. “Well, except Uncle William. I think he suspects something. We’re going to annex Portland, Seattle and Vancouver.”
He stared at her, mouth open.
“Grandfather, did you know there are over fifteen hundred Clan members living in the Pacific Northwest? No? Collin ran a database search for me. And not a single one of them works for the Clan. I don’t think Noel knows that either. He’s more interested in Tokyo and getting in Jill’s pants. Aislinn needs human resources, right? Well …”
He looked at her for a long minute, then said, “I’d appreciate occasional updates. Informally of course.” He walked away chuckling to himself.
~~~
Chapter 2-13
...when she has on her clothes her face is wondrous fair, and when she has taken them off her whole body appears as fair as her face. - Lucian, Dialogues of the Courtesans
She met Nigel and he took her to a pub. Nigel Richardson was an elegant man, sixty years old and looking a boyish thirty-five, a trim six feet tall with immaculately styled sandy blonde hair. He favored tailored Saville Row suits and drove a Jaguar. Cambridge educated, he was as far from Collin’s homespun, lai
d-back West Virginia approach to life as London was from the estate.
He told her he’d been living on the streets by his wits and his Talents when he made the mistake of trying to pick the pocket of a tall, gray haired gentleman one evening. Seamus had captured him, cleaned him up, put him in an Irish boarding school run by telepaths, and then sent him to Cambridge. His loyalty was as fierce and complete as any of Seamus’ children.
“As you might guess, William’s attitude toward wilders falls a bit flat with me,” Nigel said.
“Do you remember your parents at all?”
“My mum, she was a drunken whore, and I have no idea who my father might have been.”
“What bothers you most, that she was a drunk, or that she was a whore?” Brenna leaned forward, anxious to hear his answer.
He sighed. “I shouldn’t have used that word. Not that way, at least. Yes, she was a prostitute, but the drinking was the real problem. Now that I’m older, and with Seamus’ help and the counseling I received at the boarding school, I know the drinking was probably due to her not knowing how to shield. It’s a common problem with wilders.”
He reached out and touched her hand.
“Brenna, I’ve been working with Siobhan the past twenty-five years, and knowing her has demanded an adjustment to my attitudes. I respect her immensely, as I do you. I don’t consider a woman taking money from men who are eager to spend it a crime. With my mother, the money all went to booze. We lived in squalid conditions and she had absolutely no respect for herself.
“Most of the street prostitutes are in that situation, doing what they do out of desperation. It’s entirely different from what Siobhan does, or any of the high-end escorts and courtesans I’ve known. Siobhan doesn’t need to sell herself, rather she does it with a sense of joy.”
“So how did you feel when I asked you to set me up with Margriet?”
“A flash that you’re better than that, and then shame at the thought. Margriet herself is a succubus and has worked for the family since Callie recruited her in the sixties. Margriet would never take you on long-term. She finds wilders sometimes, trains them, but also insists they get an education. If they want to continue in the profession, she elevates them to an escort service she runs. The girls in the house are all norms, but beautiful and sophisticated. She pays well and treats them with respect. I have to admit, if I was a woman, a norm, coming from my background and with no education or skills, it would be tempting to make five thousand euros a week rather than five hundred working as a filing clerk.”
The Telepathic Clans Omnibus Page 42
