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Madaave herself over to the portrayal of a boy para many acts of sycophant-like solicitousness She donned an extraordinarily realistic-looking e black waxed affair that curled up at each side just over her diuise nitude, but the protuberance had the unfortunate side effect of causing Alexia fits of interles whenever she had to look Madame Lefoux directly on Floote had an easier ti co behind him Madame Lefoux’s boxes and his own battered portmanteau, which looked about as old as he was and uised contempt by the float staff and with actively shocked avoidance by the rest of the passengers Iusting The resulting isolation suited Alexia perfectly At Floote’s suggestion, she had purchased her ticket under her otten around to coe

Madame Lefoux had initial y objected "Is that wise, do you think, given your father’s reputation?"

"Wiser than traveling under the name of Lady Maccon, I suppose Who wants to be associated with Conal ?" Safely ensconced in her apartments, Alexia pul ed off the buh it were a poisonous snake, across the roo, Madame Lefoux came over and stroked Alexia’s hair, now freed froh Alexia were a skittish ani the supernatural set does the na

There are those ilil ossip does"

Alexia did not object to the petting--it was co into the spirit of her role Very enthusiastic about such things, the French

They ate a privateto join the rest of the passengers

Judging by the rapid appearance and freshness of the foodstuffs, the staff approved of this ine--a refreshing, if bland, method of preparation

After supper they left their quarters and made their way up to the squeak deck for so in the evening aether breezes hurriedly departed as soon as she and her party arrived

"Snobs"

Madahtly froainst Alexia as they both propped their elbows on the railing, looking down at the dark waters of the channel far below

Floote watched Alexia wondered if her father’s faithful valet mistrusted Madame Lefoux because she was French, because she was a scientist, or because she was so consistently inappropriately dressed With Floote, al three qualities were likely to engender suspicion

Alexia herself had no such reservations Genevieve Lefoux had proved herself a uarded in matters of the heart, but she was kind of word and ent of action

"You miss him?" The Frenchwoloved hand and let it ride the rushing aether currents

"I don’t want to I’ry with him I’ve colanced sideways at the inventor Genevieve, too, had experienced loss "Does it get better?"

Mada of Angelique

"It changes"

Alexia looked up at the alh in the sky to vanish behind the enor Tonight"--she gave a tiny shrug--"hurts differently Now I’ht we reht Other times, I tried to refrain from extended contact with him He never cared, but I didn’t feel it worth the risk, to keep hier than necessary"

"Were you afraid you would age him?"

"I was afraid soe hio"

They were silent for a brief while

Alexia pul ed her hand back in and tucked it under her chin It was numb Familiar sensation "Yes I miss him"

"Even after what he did?"