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The co a raised platfore, so Harriet and Isidore moved to stand behind the last row One side of the ballrooarden It was undoubtedly quite handsorees above arctic, due to a draft stealing under the s

On the stage a young wo out her arht star of Venus, fallen down on the earth, how h?"

"Sheher shawl closer around her shoulders

The actress earing a gownbits of glass Her hair was free and strung with glass beads

"It’s a lovely costulitters"

"It shimmers with every shiver," Isidore said

Another woa-like costume "Here be Venus of the sky Ask me your request, fair maiden"

"I wanted to be at least a little bit shocked," Isidore hissed "This is like a bad masque at Court"

Harriet felt a pluck on her sleeve and turned to find Kitty bea at her "Come join us," she whispered "I saved you a seat"

Lord Strange appeared froreet Harriet, and when she glanced at theh obviously he knew she was standing there Fine

"Isidore," she said, interrupting whatever Strange was saying Isidore was laughing and there wasn’t a trace of worry on her face any e was one of those men whothere looking a bit tired, but burning with fierce intensity and she felt like--

How ridiculous

"Don’t worry about the duchess," Strange said, not bothering to greet Harriet properly "She can join me in the front row You trot off with the lovely Miss Kitty"

Harriet ground her teeth "If the ballet of the six virgins grows too risqué, Isidore will not be coave Isidore a wicked little half-smile "I’ll leave it entirely up to her," he row a little hot Not surprisingly, Isidore kissed Harriet goodbye with indecent haste

"You go with your friend," she said brightly

Kitty had returned to her seat and was beckoning in an extre e murmured He took Isidore’s ar, Your Grace"

Isidore smiled at him "I don’t use the title Please, you must call me Isidore"

Harriet forced herself to walk aithout looking back Strange wasn’t for her By all appearances, he was interested in Isidore, which was good for Isidore’s plan

She felt a tinge of sympathy when she realized that her seat turned out to be next to Nell Poor Nell, in love with Strange and soon to be disappointed, it seeive hierly

On the stage, Venus see majesty that issues fro to her knees

"Yes, I did," Harriet whispered back