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Rue’sa shape not unlike that of a tragic soprano in a Germanic opera, only with less inclination to throw herself off bridges In fact, she was not overly dees Not that Rue felt she suffered from the lack As muhjah to Queen Victoria herself, Mother had an ee which should take precedent over such inconsequential distractions as fashion, householdAll three of which she left in the capable hands of Daood reason, for if asked, Rue had no doubt that Mother would have stated, in tones of ust, that the vampire was not only better at such mundanities, but actually appeared to enjoy them

Her eressivethe inside of a fireplace"

Rue added, "In the best possible way, I’e of his seat like so?"

"Yes Lapsang, but brighter, uess And Lapsang does very well these days, I aiven to understand" Rue’sshe had just instructed to stay

Rue added, "Oh yes, it’s served in only the very best drawing roolea, Alexia bonbon, I knew you would have all htly

Rue’s mother deterhter "And what have you been up to this evening, infant?"

Rue bridled at the tone of her mother’s voice She wished she could act like someone else around Mother – pretend to be Uncle Rabiffano, for exaht out the worst in Rue Which is to say, Rue’s actual personality proved i ability deserted her When Lady Maccon used that tone of voice Rue was irreversibly thirteen again "I was at the Fenchurches’ ball with Primrose, as I informed you I would be Would you believe the Stilton on the cheese plate wasarrangement from Quimble’s – a ridiculous expense And Mrs Fenchurch was positively vulgar – she must have worn an entire breastplate of diaossip "Were they paste? I’d wager they were paste His business concerns have taken a tragic downturn recently, did you hear? Very weak indeed"

Unlike Dama, Rue’s mother was not to be h London in your blooood I did hear this wild ruht to myself, here now, none of my dear husband’s pack are that experiued "Are you quite certain?"

Rue snickered, i the fuzzy uncles in bloomers She could see, perhaps, on a lark, so about in lacy pantaloons, but not a olf They were nified

"Youand tried to be pri her hands delicately in her lap in a ly accessory she dragged with her everywhere day or night, dinner party or ball "Yes, I suppose Ito do with, perhaps, the acquisition of this unusual tea?"

Rue looked affronted "I’ve no idea to what you are referring, Mother"