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“I a you, petit chaton,” her mother said with a frown, “but…”

“But?”

“You are a beautiful woman It is a shame you hide it”

“I am myself,” Francesca retorted forcefully

“You can be yourself without wearing clothes you found in a ragbag”

Francesca stared at her in shock “You sound like—”

Mr Thorne

“Who do I sound like, petit chaton?”

But before Francesca could find a reply, there was a tap on the door, and a young wo eyes entered “Mr Dobson explained you had a visitor, Madaht I’d add an extra cup” She was carrying a tray with a silver coffeepot, delicate cups, and a ar bowl upon it, and she set it down on the table by Aphrodite’s elbow

“Thank you, Maeve,” Aphrodite said, returning her shter, I think Francesca, this is Maeve, my assistant”

“Assistant?”

“Not all of us are destined to becohed “By the way, the little girl wants to play in the garden—with the puppy,” she added to Aphrodite “It was a gift to one of the girls fro an eye on her Is that acceptable, Miss Francesca?”

“Oh Yes Thank you, Maeve”

On their arrival at the club, Rosie had decided she was thirsty, and Dobson had taken her and Lil off to the kitchen

Aphrodite gave her a curious glance but she said nothing, asked nothing She was not going to make this easy