—Bariant Dearest Heart, the gift thou givest is beyond price. Chapter 3 Septembre 1749 Arles “Oh, Gigi, aren’t you excited?” Maryse asked as she put the finishing touches on the younger girl’s honey blonde hair. Geneviève, sitting at Maryse’s dressing table, nervously regarded her mentor. Although she’d been at Madame Dijol’s nearly two months, she still felt abandoned in a world she was only just beginning to comprehend. Maryse had been so kind to her, the only friend she’d made in this strange new place. The other girls seemed so much older and they were all quite busy with their customers and with each other. Occasionally they took time out to make a joke at Geneviève’s expense, but other than that, they paid little attention to the newest member of their little family. “No, I’m…I’m a little frightened.” She hated to admit it. Maryse studied the girl’s reflection as a fleeting memory of her own first night flickered across her face. She recovered quickly and forced a smile.
