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His head had begun to spin Her fingers, resting lightly on his arm, felt hot and heavy

“I have no an bleakly

“Max, it doesn’t matter if you have no money This is a temporary affair where we both take ant from each other and nobody is the richer or the poorer for it Don’t you understand? We can do e like, as long as neither of us is hurt”

It sounded like so given the go-ahead toof the consequences But he was a grown man now, and he knew very well that there were always consequences Always

“I suppose I can ask someone else instead,” she said mildly, her eyes ith innocence “There ree to have an affair with me Perhaps you could furnish me with a list?”

“No, I bloody can’t!” he growled

“Oh?” Those eyes gazed guilelessly into his “Then you will just have to do it, Max Come now, it won’t be too horrible, I’m sure We are not at all suited, so there is no fear that ill beco foolish like that Courtesans don’t become attached, you know, it’s bad for business”

She washim, Max knew it and yet he was too muzzy-headed to think clearly—or so he told hi with anticipation An affair with Marietta Greentree! He hadn’t been looking forward to anything so much in years, and to come now, at this tiift He kneould be a fool to refuse it

A knock on the door proceeded Daniel and Poht of it, for as well as a teapot, cups and accompaniments, Mrs Pomeroy had provided sandwiches, cakes and scones

“Oh, hoonderful!” she gasped, turning from Pomeroy to Daniel “Thank you so much, and thank your wife, Pomeroy I am quite overcome”

Bea two cups of tea and busying herself over the tray, and all the while she could feel Max watching her He looked so tense she was sure if she touched him he would feel like a fire poker But that he hadn’t refused her outrightinside her despite all her efforts to be calm

“You’ve deliberately caught me at a weak moment, Marietta”

He was frowning at her, but his eyes had a rather endearing expression of confusion

“Tea?” she asked blithely

“I cannot i to me—”