Chris wordlessly took the handkerchief back from the naked slave girl and then stepped away from her. She took it better than I thought she would, Alex reflected. I thought she was going to break down in hysterics, or faint, or something suitably proper for a frail little femme to do when told that her Mistress doesn’t want her. It was a difficult decision to make, and Madeleine had been resistant. But Claudia’s training couldn’t go a step forward unless she really understood what was at stake. And unfortunately for her, Madeleine was very, very disappointed in the initial report that Alexandra had tendered. “Well,” the elegant mistress had asked, “what do you think she would fetch at a good auction?” “Are you absolutely sure?” Alexandra pressed. “She is a treasure, Madeleine. I’ve never seen someone more devoted to a role before. Why don’t you just add someone new to the household and keep her as a fancy?” “Alex honey, I’m not that rich. No, if I’m going to have another maid, she better be interesting and fun in bed.
