Page 19 (1/2)
As for Marietta, Aphrodite was not certain that she really knew just what she was asking It was true that she had caused herself a great deal of grief by falling under the spell of the scoundrel Gerard Jones, but setting herself forever beyond her coht not be the best answer Lady Greentree would be saddened and disappointed when she discovered Marietta’s aine her applauding her daughter’s choice of profession Still, if Marietta truly wanted to be a courtesan, then what could Aphrodite do but help her to achieve her aim?
Aphrodite sainst her cheek Well, she could see that Marietta found such a life not to her taste after all There were alternatives to saying no, which had been Aphrodite’s first response, and as she was very ive up easily, she had not wanted her daughter to feel desperate Who knehat she ht do, if she were pushed into a corner? Better if she believed that Aphrodite was helping her, as she was, just not in the
“What amuses you?”
“My daughter, Jemmy She’s very clever, don’t you think?”
“She’s a minx, my love”
Aphrodite brushed his rough cheek with her fingertip “I was a minx, too, and it did not harm me”
“It caused us both a lot of grief”
Her breath caught “Oh Jemmy, I wish—”
But Jemmy Dobson hushed her and took her in his arrandson I’ll watch the club for you, and keep an eye on your hter”
Aphrodite buried her face in his coat “She wants to be a courtesan,” she sighed
Dobson chuckled in surprise “Does she now? Well, she’s your daughter, isn’t she? She’ll follow her own head and her own heart Just keep her out of too much trouble, my love, and all will be well
It ith Vivianna”
“Yes, you’re right Vivianna turned out well” Aphrodite nodded, and dreay to put the finishing touches to her outfit “There, what do you think? Will I bring shaomery?”
Jeray eyes full of love “You are a jewel, Aphrodite, beyond price”
It was close to dahen Max woke at last Marietta, who had been dozing off and on as she kept watch fro, and the swish and slide of the bedclothes as he moved restlessly beneath them