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and accusing at once. I can see that you will take credit notwithstanding my efforts to the contrary. I advise caution, however, because I have not made the break yet and might be moved by purely spiteful motives to reconsider.
    You would not, she said certainly. You have not a spiteful inclination in your head.
    Perhaps, he said, but you would do well not to plant the seed there.
    Standing on tiptoe, Cybelline raised her head and kissed his cheek. It was easy for her to forget what a tall, impressive figure he cut. Reaching for him reminded her. He gently steadied her until she was grounded again.
    Will you come to dinner this evening, Sherry? she asked.
    He picked up her shawl and fixed it about her shoulders. I am playing cards at the club, then I have a business matter to which I must attend.
    She realized he was speaking of Miss Dumont. Strange, she thought, that ones arrangement with a mistress was naught but a business matter. Was it always thus? she wondered. Or always thus for Sherry?
    Sherry did not like the speculative look that came into his sisters eye. He gently took her elbow and steered her toward the door. When she was moving briskly on her own, he let her go.
    Cybelline did not pause until she was standing on the threshold. She did not turn completely but rather glanced over her shoulder at him. Do you know, Sherry, that I will think Miss Dumont the veriest fool for giving you up.
    Francine Dumont was no ones fool. Sherry had considered this carefully when choosing the piece of jewelry that would serve to end their association in an amicable fashion. He counted himself as fortunate that he had not been robbed last night. The hapless footpad might have made off with the velvet-lined box he had carried with him to the theatre and the emerald earbobs that were the boxs valuable contents. The loss would hardly have been worth his life, though he was not certain that Francine would not have thought so.
    He lay in bed, sated, if not precisely satisfied, and stared at the ceiling. At the bedside, the candle flame flickered, creating the play of light and shadow across the plasterwork that claimed his attention.
    You are zinking about last night, perhaps? Francine Dumont propped herself on one elbow and regarded Sherrys profile. What is it, Sheridan? You have deep thoughts, nonT
    No.
    Zen not so decent thoughts, eh? she teased, her accented English thickening. Daccord . I have a fondness for your not-so-decent thoughts. You will like mine. She placed two fingers on his bare chest and began to walk them slowly toward his groin. She frowned when he caught her wrist just as it slipped beneath the sheet. Qu est-ce que c est ? Are you not well?
    Sherry released her wrist. This is the last time I will visit here.
    Est-ce que c est vrai ? Zis is true?
    Yes.
    She sat up. Her breasts lifted invitingly as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. She noted with some satisfaction that his eyes followed the movement, and she stretched deliberately, arching her back to entice him with her rosy, beaded nipples.
    I never said you were not without your charms, he told her.
    The absence of inflection in his voice warned her she was defeated before she could fire the first salvo. To salvage a measure of pride, she said, I can make you want me.
    Never doubt it. His cock was stirring now. Leaving her was not about what she could give him but about what she could not. He did not try to explain this to her: she would not understand. Indeed, his arrangement with her came about in no small part because she could not understand. She was not complicated that way, and he did not desire a complicated life. A straightforward agreement was what he required and precisely what he received. To that end, it was very good. Very, very good.
    Sherry watched her flatten the generous line of her mouth. Tu es agitee , he said softly. Je comprends, et je regrette .
    Merci.
    Chuckling deeply at the back of his throat. Sherry pushed himself upright. You will be