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Aphrodite isting a gold le upon her slim wrist “So, do you think you can persuade his lordship to say yes?”

“I am not sure,” Marietta said pensively She took a breath “I beg your pardon, Aphrodite, but even if he does want ree to play such a role”

Aphrodite chuckled “He is hurt and you are caring for hientleman and he will feel he owes you a favor, Marietta Make use of that And as for hi to play such a part…Doesn’t that reater test of your skills? It will be a challenge, and I think that is what you need I want you to show me you are serious in your endeavor”

“But—”

Aphrodite grew forame there will be rules you must abide by and there will be tasks you must accomplish I will set you a task, and when you have coo When the game is over, if you have co the rules, then I promise that I will help you in whatever way you wish”

The thought of Aphrodite’s unconditional help irl, and she asked, “What will my first task be?”

“Ah, he must kiss you—”

“But that is simple!”

“Yes, but you must ask him to show you how to kiss”

Marietta’s cheeks flushed pink There was so very risqué in such an idea, and yet she said, “I kno to kiss Gerard kissed me”

“Psht! Who was this Gerard? He was a nobody Max Valland is a duke’s son, Marietta, who has been on the town for reat many women Believe me, he kno to kiss”

Marietta found that she had to actually take a deep breath, in order to think clearly “When you say that Max and I will have a temporary affair, do you mean ill…do you mean it will be physical?”

Aphrodite looked at her carefully “It will be whatever you wish, Marietta Do not frighten yourself yet hat s develop and wait and see, oui? Each affair has its own pace, its own beginning and its own end First you ree, and that may well prove the most difficult part of all”

But if what Aphrodite said was true, and Max desired her body, then surely that would be to her advantage? His wanting her would help her to win him over Therefore it would not be as difficult as she feared, and Aphrodite would have to keep her promise

“Very well,” she said quickly “I will do it”