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“I don’t have to tell you anything,” Mrs March retorted, leaning forward so that her face was very close to Francesca’s She seemed to trehter? A bastard!”

Francesca stared back at her, and Sebastian could see she was shocked

But her lack of response only made Mrs March more volatile Her voice went on and on, and she didn’t seees? Why do we have to do as you say? ‘Yes, miss,’ ‘no, miss’ It’s not as if you’re any better than the rest of us Why should you have s? It isn’t fair!”

“You have overstepped thewith emotion

“Oh dear, have I?” she h-class whore and your father—” but as if realizing at last that she really had gone too far, Mrs March closed her mouth

But it was too late “What do you know of my father?” Francesca demanded

“Nothing I know nothing about him”

She was lying Sebastian smelled it, and her fear Her hatred of Francesca had led her to say far too htened

“Is it true, Mrs March,” he said, “that you’re one of Mrs Slater’s girls?”

A treh her, under her skin

Francesca was too shocked to notice “Mrs Slater! How could you be associated with that dreadful woman? How could anyone?”

“What dreadful woman is this?” asked a male voice

Mrs March gave a faint cry of relief and turned, alerness to reach his side “Mr Trelad you’re here” And she cast a look back over her shoulder toward Sebastian, a look that told hiht

Chapter 23

“Uncle William”