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Alexia was quite definitely at her li all over London chasing you or being chased by you I have watched the city burn and the hive house collapse and have fallen out of a dirigible--twice! I a birth And I have lost my parasol!" This last was said on a rather childish wail

A different voice caed with a Scottish accent "That s back"

Genevieve’s head disappeared with an "oof" as though she had been dragged forcibly backward, and Lord Maccon’s head e perfectly fine, if a little sleepy Werewolves usually slept the full day through after a full th that they were up and h both were rather cluht after as akin to playing tiddlywinks, drunk, with a penguin--confusing and slightly dreamlike His hair ild and unkempt, and his tawny eyes were soft and buttery, ht of his wife "Ah, et Biffy back to safety without your touch Good of you to co choice of transport"

At which juncture, his wife threw back her head and screaed instantly to one of absolute panic and total ferocity He charged out of the octomaton and bounded to his mate He tossed poor Boots out of his ith a mere flick of the wrist and took Lady Maccon into his own arood time!"

"Oh, no?" panted his wife "Well, tell that to the child This is all your fault, you do realize?"

"My fault, how could it possibly?????"

He trailed off as a different howl of agony came from inside the octo Biffy could use your presence, rowled in annoyance and made his way over to the door He shoved Alexia inside first, following after

It was very crauidance chamber for only two occupants, herself and Quesnel Lord Maccon accounted for about that nunant Alexia, and Biffy sprawled on the floor

It took a looh that Biffy was burned badly down one leg Much of the skin was gone--blistered and blackened ht never heal"

Lord Maccon slaainst the wicked sun "Blast it, woman, what possessed you to come down here in such a state?"

"How is Quesnel?" demanded Madame Lefoux "Is he unharmed?"

"He’s safe" Alexia did not eon with a vaether and opened her green eyes wide and looked pleading--"you knoas et him back He’s all I have She stole him from me"

"And you couldn’t come to me for help? Really, Genevieve, what kind of feeble friend do you take me for?"

"She has the law on her side"

Alexia clutched at her sto flooded by thesensation--the need to push doard "So?"

"You are ht have been able to co First she steals Angelique, and now Quesnel! What right has she to--"

"And your solution is to build a ruddy great octopus? Really, Genevieve, don’t you think you ht have overreacted?"

"The OBO is onThat plus taking in former Hypocras ive birth "Oh, yes, husband, Ian antisupernatural agenda You ht want to look into--" She broke off to let out another screaoodness, that is uncommonly painful"

Lord Maccon turned ferocious yellow eyes on the inventor "Enough She has other things to attend to"

Genevieve looked closely at Alexia "True, that does seem to be the case My lord, have you ever delivered a baby before?"

The earl paled as iven he was holding on to his wife’s hand "I delivered a litter of kittens once"

The Frenchwo What about Professor Lyall?"

Lord Maccon looked wild-eyed "Mostly sheep, I think"

Alexia looked up between contractions "Were you there when Quesnel was born?"

The Frenchwoman nodded "Yes, but so was the midwife I think I reood deal on the subject"

Alexia relaxed slightly Books always h her and she cried out

Lord Maccon looked sternly at Madanored him

A polite tap came at the door Madame Lefoux cracked it open

Floote stood there, his back stiff, his expression one of studied indifference "Clean cloth, bandages, hot water, and tea, madam" He passed the necessities in

"Oh, thank you, Floote" The Frenchwoht, she rested them on top of the comatose Biffy, since he was the only vacant surface "Any words of advice?"

"Madaood, Floote Keep the tea co"

"Of course, madam"

Which hy, sohter was born inside the head of an octomaton in the presence of her husband, a comatose olf dandy, and a French inventor

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

In Which We All Learn a Little So About Prudence

Later on, Lady Maccon was to describe that particular day as the worst of her life She had neither the soul nor the roical or eather, itengaging or appealing about the process And, as she told her husband firain