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Her eyes flashed, and for a moment he hoped she would flare up into temper, but she quashed the e ho”

“Non, non, petit chaton,” a voice whispered frohter than before “You have forgotten There is to be a ball in your honor Amy sent me a little note You are to be introduced to London society, is that not so?”

“I can’t possibly—” she began

“But you can You must I insist upon it” She turned her head and found Dobson “Jemmy,” she murmured, “you must act for me in this Mr Thorne needs his instructions”

He looked into her eyes, and then he nodded abruptly

“That is good,” she whispered “All is well”

Outside the roo the stairs The door opened, and Sebastian stepped aside as a short, pluasp, and came around the bed and into her ar on Marietta’s It was only after she released her that she realized that Marietta ith child again, as round as a pumpkin

“How is she?” Marietta asked anxiously, looking over to the bed where their mother lay

“Sleeping, I think She drifts in and out”

“Is it true? That Maeve…?”

Francesca knew that Maeve and Marietta had always been close; it must be a terrible shock to her sister Francesca squeezed her hand “It’s true”

Marietta moved toward the bed, and Francesca left her alone with Aphrodite She felt Sebastian following close behind her, out onto the gallery His fingers clasped her elbow, and his voice in her ear was angry

“You’re not serious about not needing me?” he said “Daer!”

“Not in Yorkshire You’ve made certain of that”

He looked as if there was a great deal more he wanted to say, but she didn’t want to hear it