any man who would be willing to be used like that and then say nothing if I changed my mind—which I won’t!”
Aphrodite gave her a little smile, and reached out to open the bedroom door. Inside, Max lay unmoving upon the bed, his dark curls tumbling over the white bandage, his profile pale and handsome.
And even before she spoke, Marietta knew what she was going to say.
Chapter 4
“M ax? You want me to use Max? Oh no, you cannot mean—”
“But why not Max? He is embroiled in a terrible scandal so if he decides to tell the world your secrets then no one will listen to a word he says. But he will not tell because he is a gentleman, and a desirable one, with a great deal of experience. He can teach you much, and you can use your new skills upon him. He is perfect for the role.”
Aphrodite wanted her to use Max in her courtesan training. She wanted Max to teach her about desire. She wanted Marietta to practice seduction and the use of her senses on Max…
“Good heavens,” she whispered.
“He is a good choice, Marietta. I would not suggest him if I thought he would be any danger to you.”
“But…he wanted to buy me for an entire night’s pleasure!”
“An entire night, eh?” Aphrodite smiled wickedly. “That was when he made the mistake of thinking you were one of my protégés. As soon as he realized his error he became the perfect gentleman once more. That was why he was so upset with you, my innocent Marietta. Lord Roseby had set his heart upon having ‘connection’ with you, but he is far too much of an English gentleman to seduce what he thinks is an innocent girl of your class and breeding. He is the perfect man for your little game, oui ?”
“Oh.” Was that why he had been so cross—like a little boy who has been given a shilling and finds the sweets shops are all closed? Because he had wanted her and he believed she was out of his reach.
Aphrodite was twisting a gold mesh bangle upon her slim wrist. “So, do you think you can persuade his lordship to say yes?”
“I am not sure,” Marietta said pensively. She took a breath. “I beg your pardon, Aphrodite, but even if he does want my body, I cannot believe he would agree to play such a role.”
Aphrodite chuckled. “He is hurt and you are caring for him. Max is a gentleman and he will feel he owes you a favor, Marietta. Make use of that. And as for him not agreeing to play such a part…Doesn’t that make it an even greater test of your skills? It will be a challenge, and I think that is what you need. I want you to show me you are serious in your endeavor.”
“But—”
Aphrodite grew formidable. “No buts, listen to me now. In this game there will be rules you must abide by and there will be tasks you must accomplish. I will set you a task, and when you have completed it,then I will set you another, and so it will go. When the game is over, if you have completed all your tasks to my satisfaction, without breaking the rules, then I promise that I will help you in whatever way you wish.”
The thought of Aphrodite’s unconditional help made her giddy. But Marietta was a practical girl, and she asked, “What will my first task be?”
“Ah, he must kiss you—”
“But that is simple!”
“Yes, but you must ask him to show you how to kiss.”
Marietta’s cheeks flushed pink. There was something very risqué in such an idea, and yet she said, “I know how to kiss. Gerard kissed me.”
“ Psht ! Who was this Gerard? He was a nobody. Max Valland is a duke’s son, Marietta, who has been on the town for many years and has had a great many women. Believe me, he knows how to kiss.”
Marietta found that she had to actually take a deep breath, in order to think clearly. “When you say that Max and I will have a temporary affair, do you mean we will…do you mean it will be physical?”
Aphrodite looked at her carefully. “It will be whatever you wish, Marietta. Do not frighten yourself yet with what may or may not