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“So you stayed too?” His voice was husky from disuse

“Someone had to keep watch over you I was the obvious choice”

She sounded defensive Did he make her uncomfortable, or was it their current intimate situation that did that? She had not seemed the type to be easily intimidated, but the way in which she clasped her hands in her lap now, as if she aiting to be scolded, gave him pause

Had he soiven her the impression that he was a monster?

He supposed he had been a little out of sorts during the balloon ascent, and he htly startled her with his behavior downstairs, when he tried to buy her services Perhaps Marietta Greentree was right to be wary, Max admitted reluctantly Perhaps he was not always as courteous and polite as his ht him up to be But his father had always impressed upon hiance was to be expected Even when the dukedoance was difficult to shake off—bred into him, he supposed

“Thank you,” he said now, as courteously as he could e, and closed his eyes

She was leaning over hi He had surprised her It was quite a feat to disconcert Marietta Greentree of the clear, fearless gaze and decided opinions Despite the appalling pain in his head Max found hi

“Are you thirsty again?” she asked anxiously “Would you prefer water or broth?”

Broth? Good God “Thank you, but no,” he said, with feeling “All I want is to go ho for a servant to fetch me a cab and I will trouble you no further”

Marietta gave a disbelieving laugh Dear heavens, he expected her to bundle him into a hansom cab and send him home just because he told her to! What a bossy and abominable man he was

“I will fetch Dobson,” she said in a voice that brooked no argument, and went off to do just that

Dobson, looking tired and with his red jacket unbuttoned at the throat, was just closing the door on the last of the night’s guests When Marietta explained the problem, he said, “You stay here, miss, and let me deal with Lord Roseby” Then, as he headed upstairs, he called over his shoulder, “Better still, go and get so to eat in the kitchen That’s where everyone else’ll be”

Marietta, weary froht, thought a hot breakfast soundedNow, if she could just find the kitchen…

In the end she followed her nose The kitchen was by far the most comfortable part of Aphrodite’s Club that she had seen so far With its enore, as well as the shelving full of crockery, and the pots and pans dangling from hooks, it looked as a kitchen should look The cook, a tubby gentleratulations froathered around hiowns, aprons hastily thrown on to save spills and stains, their s and toast The rich seneral sense of ho

Eagerly, Marietta moved to join them, but as she drew nearer and her presence was noticed, their lively chatter ceased Now only the sizzle of the food still cooking on the stove broke the silence