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“I understand you,” she said, “but I a it difficult to believe you”

“Believe me”

His eyes were dark and deadly serious

Francesca nodded her head jerkily “What do you want me to do?” she whispered

“Wait in the sitting rooe them in conversation Be natural We’ll do the rest”

Francesca gave a little laugh and covered herpoisoned, and now they wanted her to sit and wait for a poisoner to appear, and engage them in conversation Be natural?

Sebastian turned her away fro her face in his hands He arht of hi, kissed her lips, once, and then again “Do this Be brave and strong and it will all be over I will explain afterward, I promise But you must trust me now Do you trust me, Francesca?”

“I trust you,” she said, and she did

He smiled, but it was a serious sh”

She nodded and tried not to cling to him as he stepped away But she turned her head back on the landing, for a last, co her, and there was an expression on his face she had never seen before Deep emotion and determination, and sadness, too

“I’m sorry,” she said shakily to Dobson “This must be awful for you You…you love her very much, don’t you?”

He smiled into her eyes “Course I do And Aphrodite knoto prove It’s you who ’as to make your peace with your mother, Francesca, not me Now, it’s time” He squeezed her hand, and Francesca followed hi room

Chapter 21

She’d iined the room as dark and e, and a fire was burning merrily in the hearth In fact, now she caht, and she could hearfrom the direction of the salon

“Is the club open tonight?” she said in disbelief