Speak to the eunuch

The silence is deafening, so Abbie speaks first.

“Are we allowed to talk to each other?” she asks.

Delphan raises a quizzical eyebrow. “Of course. I am not used to potential members of the harem being particularly interested in conversation, however. Eloquence of speech is not exactly a quality that we screen for in selecting ladies such as yourself.”

Abbie suppresses the urge to respond with the first thought that comes to her mind. She tries a more tactful response. “Surely His Majesty sees the value of a woman with a brain. Queen Caroline has always struck me as a very capable woman.”

“Her Majesty is a singular woman, to be sure,” says Delphan, “but I suspect you have much more on your mind than the intelligence of the women who warm the king’s beds. What is on your mind, Miss Brightstar?”

Abbie has many things on her mind, and she hasn’t quite decided what to make of this fellow.