I crossed my room to open the door, a tirade of frustrated and exhausted excuses ready on my tongue. Instead of finding Minerva, or even Leon, as I had expected, there stood Chava with a pile of linens in her arms.

"May I come in, Lady Eve?" she asked.

I stood aside to allow her entry and shut the door behind her. "I suppose everyone is going to call me a Lady now aren't they," I mused.

Chava nodded. "They're very excited about it," she said. "Mrs. Claire said you were 'one ...