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“My love? What should I do?”

“You must send her in, Jemmy”

Chapter 13

Francesca had never been to Aphrodite’s Club She’d never seen herThe only times she and Aphrodite came face to face hen her mother made the journey from London to Greentree Manor Francesca dreaded those visits In the fas of the manor, the courtesan see in co words, and then escape onto the moors and stay there until suppertih of relief when Aphrodite went hoain

And noas her turn to step into Aphrodite’

s world, and she was beginning to appreciate how difficult a thing it was Was this how Aphrodite had felt when she journeyed north? Did she worry over what sort of reception she would have?

I a to do hat is between Aphrodite and myself

“Are you all right there, Miss Francesca?” Dobson had returned and atching her, his gray eyes cool and assessing and, yes, syh Francesca doubted whether he either knew or cared why she was here What was he, after all? Just the latest in Aphrodite’s long line of lovers Although he had lasted longer than most

“Can I see my…her now?”

He s up, and suddenly she felt there was so warm and friendly about him, and instinctively she liked him “Of course you can I’ll take you to her She’s workin’ in her office”

Startled, Francesca hurried after Dobson “Working?” she repeated “I thought she’d be resting,” she added, when he gave her a puzzled look “The club is open all night, is it not?”

Dobson chuckled “Yourbeautiful, you know, y to keep it running It’s Aphrodite’s Club in every sense of the word She oversees every detail, gives the orders, and makes the decisions She’s a clever woman”

The rebuke was , but the expression in his eyes told her he would not listen to any implied criticism of the woman he loved

Francesca felt like a child again Not a good start, she thought, as she passed by hientle finality

Aphrodite was seated at a desk with the s behind her For a moment she seemed so fa a friend But this was Aphrodite, and the only reason Francesca was here was that she had no other choice