“A- tail?” faltered Aral Alexander. He chewed on the thought for a moment, then asked his father, “What other tricks does this girl have?”
Miles Vorkosigan smiled. “Not tricks, Alex. Lady Bertolli has senses that’re as sharp as any of our instruments. I expect you to show her every courtesy.”
Alex up-nodded in a gesture that caught at Mile’s heartstrings. It was his own nervous-involuntary tic come back to haunt him. He cleared his throat. “By the way- where’s Helen?”
“Coming back from the spaceport,” the boy replied. “I think I hear the groundcar now.”
True to his prediction, a moment later the grand entrance door of Vorkosigan House swung open. Two young women entered- one, Alex’s twin Helen Natalia, and the other was most likely Mia Bertolli. The latter was dressed very modestly, considering today’s fashion trends. Her quick, hazel eyes took in her surroundings before coming to rest on Miles and Alex.
“Good morning, ma’am. I trust nobody gave you any hassle?”
Mia’s smile lit up her face. “It wasn’t all that bad. Although I admit, Beta Colony was more- inviting.”
A sideways glance caught fourteen-year-old Alex grinning foolishly. Miles suppressed his own grin, hoping his son wouldn’t show a tendency to “hit on” her.
For the first time, Helen spoke. “Mia and I have already become fast friends. Her stories about Earth are marvelous.”
Miles was about to reply when a hand took his- that of his wife, Ekaterin. She said no word, but beamed equally at all present.
"Allow me to present Ekaterin. Ah, you and she should get along famously. Alex."
With a little start, the boy came to attention. Mia seemed equally startled- by the military response?
"That'll do. Please show Miss Bertolli to her rooms."
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