A hard hand suddenly grasped Maryse’s elbow, making her draw a sharp breath through her teeth. She fought back her natural urge to kick and bite, instead turning to look up at a deep-eyed man with a bristling mustache who regarded her with curiosity. “What in the world are you?” he mused, looking her up and down. “Chinese by your looks, but surely your nose is too flat? And your skin is too dark, I shouldn’t wonder . . .”

