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"This isn’t hot, Gaeros," she said

The ized profusely and took it away He returned almost immediately, put a hot cup in front of her "We’ll need privacy," the woman said

"Yes, Mistress" He left and shut the door after himself

"So," the woman said

"So?" Teia asked

"I’laia Crassos You heti"

"There is no Lady Verangheti Or I a on how you want to look at it My fa slaves in certain households or positions--say, the Blackguard The fiction of ‘Lady Verangheti’ helps me circumvent such pettiness"

"I’m sorry, Mistress, I don’t mean to be rude, but out of loyalty to my mistress…" There had to be some way to say this "Hrm…"

"You don’t believe me," Lady Crassos said She sounded a bluff, would it not? Of course, it would only work on slaves who neverle piece of vellunized it instantly Attached to it on a separate sheet was a writ of transfer, signed by Lucretia Verangheti and Aglaia Crassos The handwriting was the salaia wanted to keep her ownership of Teia secret, she couldn’t own Teia’s title under her real name or anyone who bothered to inquire could find out to whoed But she needed to have the writ of transfer already finished in case so came up that required her to prove ownership quickly--so she kept the writ and sihtened Why would the woirl?"

"I’m sorry?"

"Simple question If you’re willful, you will be beaten exquisitely"

Exquisitely? "I’laia Crassos’s face lit up "Good Good Exactly what my sources have told me Continue to answer honestly and your service for h Teia Not wholly?

Aglaia looked around, as if searching for so man instantly came in "My crop," she said

Gaeros knuckled his forehead and disappeared He was back incrop, then turned his back

She cracked the riding crop low against his back He jerked, but said nothing