Page 40 of The Red Woman on Mars

“We saw people wearing hibiscus flowers on their hats,” Vivian said. “Outside the clinic. Do you remember?”

Luz’s expression lit up. “That’s right.”

“A rim of spice? Ingenious!” Wim exclaimed. “If you have need of hibiscus flowers, then that is what you shall have, my darling.”

Luz regarded him fondly and sipped her agua fresca. Vivian, for her part, was completely baffled. Where had her jaded friend gone?

“I am so pleased, Vivian my dear, that you have come to visit,” Wim continued. “I admit I have been remiss in my duties since I welcomed Luz into my humble home. But the Red Mothers are thriving in my absence. Secretary Yarrow has been most pleased by the pace of partner selection. Most pleased. My lady has always concerned herself with results.”

“Secretary Yarrow is a very sensible woman,” replied Luz.

Vivian raised her eyebrows at Luz, who lifted a corner of her mouth in response.

“Very true, my dear, that is exactly what I say. She is the sort of woman whom one cannot regard with too much deference.” Wim made a sudden gesture at his artificial eye. “Ah … it is Secretary Yarrow now. She is inviting us to dine with her this evening. Who could have imagined we would receive an invitation so immediately after your arrival, Vivian? Such an honor. Let us make haste.”

Vivian wasn’t sure she wanted to have dinner with the formidable Constance Yarrow, but she’d known it was a possibility. She took a moment to change into the elegant lilac dress she’d brought with her just in case.

“How are you? For real?” Vivian asked in an undertone as they followed Wim up the steep redstone path to where Yarrow House perched on the top of a low crater.

“Wonderful.” Luz squeezed her arm. “I have a home again. A kitchen! Wim found me a steamer pot—he went to three stores to track one down—and I made my abuela’s pork tamales. Took me all day. I made the chili ancho sauce and everything.”

“I miss your cooking,” Vivian confessed. “I’m glad you can continue here.”

“All my life, I’ve had to hustle. And now … I have time. My most important job is growing this baby. And—I can’t believe I’m saying this—I’m looking forward to being a mother.”

“And Wim?” Vivian couldn’t help wrinkling her nose.

“I know what you think of him, Viv baby. And you were right to turn down his offer. But I find being with him restful.”

“Restful? He never shuts up.”

Luz snorted. “He says what he means. He doesn’t play mind games. And he isn’t trying to trick or force his way into my bed. Works for me.”

“I suppose,” Vivian agreed doubtfully.

The walk was brief, and they had no opportunity to converse further. Up close, Vivian could see the U-shaped great house had a copper facade. An elegant inner courtyard held an expansive redstone plaza and an opulent bubbling fountain with a fish spouting water into the sky. They were greeted at the double doors by a stoic Earther man in an old-fashioned butler uniform who bowed them into the spacious dining room.

Xavier Dorsey was there.

Again.

How did the man keep showing up when she least expected him?

Next to him sat a younger man with the same deep brown skin and a much more pleasant expression. The man sprang to his feet and bowed over her and Luz’s hands. “It’s an honor to meet two of the esteemed Red Mothers. I’m August Yarrow, the nephew and heir of the much-admired Secretary Constance Yarrow.”

“I’m pleased to meet you,” Vivian said to August. She raised her eyebrows coolly at Xavier. “Mr. Dorsey, I wasn’t expecting to see you again so soon. I thought you’d traveled to the far domes.”

Xavier rose. “There and back. I had the honor of escorting my younger sister Zuri home to Dorsey House.”

Poor Delilah. She’d been certain Caspian would be kept away through Presentation Day. If she’d known otherwise, perhaps she wouldn’t have settled for such an inadequate substitute.

Vivian turned her attention back to August. “Why haven’t we seen you at any of our events?”

August glanced at his cousin. “I have not yet found the time.”

At the head of the grand faux-wood table, still seated, Secretary Yarrow harrumphed. “And yet, you have found the time to play soldier with the militia, haven’t you?”

August’s eyebrows drew together. “The security of our dome is of the utmost importance. The Catena separatists have become increasingly provocative since the election, and we need to ensure our forces are prepared to defend our dome.”