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"Enter," yodeled his lordship, still chuckling

The curtain was pushed aside, and in came one of the people Alexia would have said was least likely to visit the theater, Mada, Lord Maccon, Alexia"

"Genevieve, how unexpected"

Madame Lefoux was dressed impeccably Fraternization with the Woolsey Hive had neither a deleterious nor i effect on her attire If Countess Nadasdy had tried to get her newest drone to dress appropriately, she had failed Madaht of style, for a ant with no vampiric flamboyances in the manner of cravat ties or cuff links True she sported cravat pins and pocket watches, but Alexia would lay good money that not a one solely functioned as a cravat pin or a pocket watch

"Are you enjoying the show?" inquired the Frenchwo it seriously"

Lord Maccon puffed out his cheeks

"And you?" Alexia directed the question back at her erstwhile friend Since Genevieve’s wildly spectacular charge through London and resulting transition to vampire drone, no small measure of aardness had existed between theained the closeness they had both so enjoyed at the beginning of their association Madaing octo Genevieve to a decade of indentured servitude

"It is interesting," replied the Frenchwoman cautiously "And how is little Prudence?"

"Difficult, as ever And Quesnel?"

"The saed careful smiles Lady Maccon, despite herself, liked Mada about her that appealed And she did owe the Frenchwoman a debt, for it was the inventor who had acted the part of rossly mistimed entrance into the world Nevertheless, Alexia did not trust her Madaenda first, even as a drone, with the Order of the Brass Octopus second What little loyalty and affection for Alexia she still had must, perforce, be a low priority now

Lady Maccon moved them on from the platitudes with a direct reave one of her little French shrugs "She is herself, unchanging, as ever It is on her behest that I ae"

"Oh, yes, how did you knohere to find me?"

"The Tunstells have a new play, and you are their patroness I admit I had not anticipated your presence, rinned wolfishly "I was persuaded"

"The e?" Alexia put out her hand

"Ah, no, we have all learned never to do that again The e is a verbal one Countess Nadasdy has received instructions and would like to see you, Lady Maccon"

"Instructions? Instructions from who?"

"I am not privy to that information," replied the inventor

Alexia turned to her husband "Who on earth would dare order around the Woolsey Hive queen?"

"Oh, no, Alexia, you misunderstand me The instructions came to her, but they are for you"

"Me? Me! Why…," Alexia sputtered in outrage

"I’ , after the performance?"

Alexia, whose curiosity was quite piqued, nodded her acquiescence "It is bath night, but Lord Akeldah"

"Bath night?" The Frenchwoued

"Prudence is particularly difficult on bath nights"

"Ah, yes Soet clean Quesnel was like that As you may have noticed, circumstances never did irubby

"And how is he , the little monster"

"Much like Prudence, then"

"As you say" The Frenchwoman tilted her head "And my hat shop?"

"Biffy has it marvelously well in hand You should drop by and visit He’s there tonight I’m certain he would love to see you"

"Perhaps I shall It’s not often I get into London these days" Madaray top hat and ood-byes