A/N: I told you these were two incredibly short chapters, so you got them both this week as a bonus. Happy reading.
Chapter 13
Rarely since her accident did Odette miss running, but on this day, she cursed her cane and the deliberate, slow steps she forced herself to take to avoid falling. She was disgusted at Mérante, who no doubt wished to take advantage of her, she was furious at herself for once entertaining the ridiculous notion that she might have someday had feelings for him.
A thought occurred to her that sent a jolt of ice through her veins. If Mérante had merely wanted to take advantage of her, he could have. They'd found themselves alone many times; had he been a lesser man… If he simply desired to have her, he could have asked her to be his mistress, elevated her from her station by simply keeping her on the side as so many of the patrons had done. Is it possible that through her pride she'd misunderstood his intentions? She stopped, and turned to face him, but his face was a cold, impassive mask, and he turned on her just as quickly, shutting the door with a finality that shook Odette to the core. She'd had her chance, and through her hubris, she'd let it slip out of her grasp.