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Aphrodite stepped in and closed the door behind her For ain theher usual black, her hair drawn into a rather severe chignon, but tonight there was a flush to her cheeks and her eyes gleamed with some inner excitement

Marietta stared back at her uneasily

“You do not have to say anything, your Max has told me what he has done”

“Oh” She was relieved for only a brief …soive me the choice, and I didn’t want to”

“I see” She rolled her eyes “Where have I heard that before?” she hters listen to me?”

“Madame?” Marietta whispered

“It does not matter” Aphrodite waved her hand “Your Max is not a man to be trifled with, mon petit puce, remember that You should not play him for a fool”

Marietta blinked at her in confusion “What do you mean, Mama?”

“I mean…he seems very able, child Perhaps I should use hiirls Would you recoht of such a thing before, but now…hood one”

A terrible wave of pain rose up inside her; she felt like physically juestion Her chest ached and despite her efforts her eyes filled with tears, but herher

“No,” she asp, and cleared her throat “That is, he is a very good ”

Aphrodite frowned, looking concerned “Are you all right, my child? You do not look happy Come, are you hurt?”

“No, I’m not hurt Just…just…” The tears welled up and blinded her

Aphrodite made a soft sympathetic sound and held out her arms, and after a brief hesitation Marietta ran into theh the rigid bone of the stays she wore and the scratchy stiffening of the silk dress None of that see her and her sweet fragrance was co her

“When a man like Max Valland wants a wouilty or uncomfortable about that”