Francesca was stopped in her tracks by the accusation that she had tried to kill her child. He said what? she would have said, except that she hadn't regained her composure even enough to close her mouth before the woman threw a necklace at her. Francesca tried to get out of the way, but it glanced off her shoulder and clattered to the floor. The assault with the jewelry sparked the anger in her again and she glared at the other woman. She drew back to put some more space between them and moved her own hand to her and pocket, though she didn't draw it.

"You idiot," she said, voice dripping with disdain. "Would you believe anything someone told you, or do they have to bed you first?"

---