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“Marietta and I do not agree on everything”

“How tedious if you d

id”

“Madahter, but I do not mean to idle my life away as if I were still heir to my father’s dukedom I am…liberated,” he sood honest work I believe that if I have a wife and family then I will have all the more reason to strive harder”

“If you were a better catch you probably wouldn’t have given Marietta a second glance, hter of a courtesan be on your list of possible wives if you were still in line to inherit?”

“I don’t know the answer to that question, how can I?” Ah yes, he was honest “But I do know that now that I have met Marietta no other woman will do”

Aphrodite was beginning to feel exhausted, but his words were so heartfelt they ood, Max! The perfect answer! Tellout in the hall?”

“I put her to bed, she’s asleep”

“Mon dieu!” she hissed Then, reluctantly, “Very well I will consider your offer But it is not I you should be trying to persuade—I am already convinced—it is Marietta There lies your difficulty”

He looked startled that she was so clearly on his side “Thank you, Madame Could I ask one more favor of you? Please don’t tell Marietta that you knoish to marry her I think, if she is aware you are aainst her and want to run as far away from me as she can”

“Yes, yes, all right,” Aphrodite answered hihter as well as you, and I will say nothing to her But be warned, if you hurt her, Max—”

“BelieveI would ever do”

Again Aphrodite noted his sincerity and then nodded a dismissal As Max left the salon, she called Dobson over and told him to follow, as an added precaution, to make certain that this time Max was put into a hansom without incident

“It has been very good for business that his lordship has returned to the club so soon It would be very bad, however, if he were to be attacked a second time”

As she watched Dobson stroll off, she allowed herself a hts