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a few waved at her as she stepped across her threshold. Bella paused, turned and smiled brightly, waving in return. She wasn’t going to ruin her repertoire with her new co-workers even if she was boiling with irritation and embarrassment.
    After she waved hello, she headed past her door and up the steps. The door closed behind her. Her hands undid the lacing at the back of her gown, and it gradually released. She hiked her skirts and kicked her shoes off before stomping into the lav.
    She looked at the taps for actual water and sighed. With resolve, she turned to the other connections, and when she pushed the gown off, Bella stepped into the blast of the sonic shower.
    When her hair hung straight and her skin was squeaky clean, she grabbed the crumpled gown, slung it over one arm and stomped back into the bedroom. She flicked through the clothing and found a gown in a dark purple that had a keyhole neckline, but a high collar. She sighed as she got dressed. It fastened up the front with two dozen small hooks.
    She went to the dressing table and picked up some pins, curling most of her hair into a neat chignon and tugging a few tendrils loose. The employee pendant nestled in the open neckline.
    The last part of her new outfit was a set of shoes, and she was completely dressed and on her way downstairs when she heard the knock.
    She rustled to the door and opened it to see Yimra smiling at her. “Good morning.”
    Bella felt heat rush to her face. “Good morning. Do you have time to show me how to use the kitchen?”
    Yimra chuckled. “Of course. If we are needed, our charms will alert us. Now, let me show you the variety of uses you can put your kitchen to.”
    Five minutes later, the teacup was between her hands and she and Yimra were sitting at the dining table.
    Yimra gave her a sly look. “So, how did you end up with Lord Akking last night?”
    Bella sat back. “I worked too late, he made dinner and gave me a glass of wine. My species doesn’t have a high tolerance, and he carried me up to his bed and tucked me in.”
    “Oh. We all just thought you had sex with him.”
    Bella nodded. “Under different circumstances, it might have been possible, but not last night. I was in an incredibly silly mood and he was losing patience with my endless frivolity. Men don’t generally like it when you laugh in bed.”
    Yimra laughed. “You are missing out. He is very talented.”
    Bella sat back. “So you and he have...”
    “Oh, no. He would never take advantage of one of his people. He keeps his sexual adventures to those in his social grouping.”
    Disappointment ran through her. “Oh, I suppose that leaves me out of it.”
    Yimra sipped at her tea. “I am thinking that you are in a class of your own. The position you are in as his liaison makes you category black in any court on Kloa. You are the only one of his social class at the manor.”
    Unease replaced the disappointment. “So, do you think he had me put in this position for a reason?”
    She grinned. “I am sure that he had something in mind, though he really does require an assistant. He also needs a companion. He and his family have always been more on the side of the people and on the emotional feedback they get from their partners. They need more deeply than most of our people. I think he needs you, for business and sex.”
    Bella choked and spluttered on her tea. “My people are not so...direct.”
    Yimra waved that away. “You will learn the ways of the uncovered. We don’t hide who we are or what we are. Each day is a new experience that we delve into as fully as we are able.”
    Before Bella could respond, Yimra took her cup and washed it, putting it on the draining board. “Time to get to that work.”
    Bella looked at the other woman and sighed. “Right. That is what I am here for.”
    She put in an extra bit of insistence into her tone, but she got the feeling it was more for herself than for Yimra. Yimra gave her a knowing smile, and they