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But she did, all the same

Xandros was visiting his mother He didn’t want to, but he owed her that at least He’d had to make a difficult phone call to her before he’d flown to London, telling her as carefully as he could that Ariadne had pulled out of their engagement

‘But why?’ his reed!’

‘So did I,’ he’d said ‘But there it is I have to respect her decision’

He knew his mother was upset She had wanted hihter of her childhood friend—to ed his son to make as a sure way to increase the Lakaris fortunes he had worked so hard to rescue She had wanted hirandchildren, to cheer her hood and to continue the ancient line to which he had been born, of which he was now the sole representative since the untio

And if Ariadne had been the perfect bride for hi that she would deplore his sudden decision to lish half-sister instead

Which hy he had to visit her in person—to explain the precise reasons for his precipitate action

As he had expected, she did deplore it—and vocally

‘Xandros, who is this girl? Nobody! You can’t possibly be thinking that she can be a substitute for Ariadne!’

‘That is precisely what I don’t think!’ he answered He took a breath and looked into his mother’s eyes, which held a troubled expression ‘She understands ement And’ he took another breath ‘this won’t just be for ly ‘She’s had a wretched life Coustakis never acknowledged her existence He conde poverty She deserves better!’

His mother looked at him, her expression still troubled ‘Are you sure?’ she asked slowly ‘Are you sure that you knohat you’re doing, Xandros?’

He looked at her straight ‘Yes,’ he said ‘And it is very, very simple, I promise you’

She looked as if she was going to say so more, but he forestalled her He did not want their conversation h with thisto be temporary that it appealed to him, and that as soon as he was free of it, his desire for Rosalie slaked, he would resume the carefree, unattached bachelor lifestyle his mother considered a waste of his time

He changed the subject away fro so