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also brought some champagne to drink to our future.' He
    indicated the ice bucket and glasses waiting on a convenient table.
    'I don't think that's necessary.'
    'But it's traditional—for a wedding night.'
    'But it isn't—not really—I mean, we're not...' Philippa ground to a
    halt, her flush deepening. 'Oh, you know what I mean.'
    Alain poured wine into the glasses and held one out to her. 'I am
    not sure that I do.'
    She took the glass, holding it awkwardly. 'You said that you'd—
    wait,' she reminded him, her voice trembling a little. 'That you'd give me time to—accustom myself.'
    He drank some champagne, watching her meditatively over the
    rim of the glass. 'But how much time, my reluctant bride? This year,
    next year, some time—or never, perhaps?'
    Philippa flicked her tongue round her dry lips. The small nervous
    movement was not lost on him, she realised, her nerves grating. 'I'll keep my word—when it becomes necessary. But not yet.'
    'And if I told you that it is necessary now— tonight?'
    'Then I wouldn't believe you.' Still holding her untouched glass,
    she took a step backwards. 'Please stop saying these things, and leave me in peace as you promised.' She paused, gathering her courage.
    'Besides, you're obviously expected elsewhere.'
    His dark brows snapped together. 'What is that supposed to
    mean?'
    'It means I'd be grateful if you'd ask your mistresses not to
    telephone you here.' Philippa lifted her chin. 'Perhaps you should have warned the lady in question that you're now, nominally, a married
    man. Get her to ring you at your offices from now on. I'm sure your
    secretary is used to dealing with such calls.'
    There was a long and ominous silence. When he spoke, his voice
    was like ice. 'How dare you speak to me like that?'
    'And how dare you expect me to act as go-between with your
    women?' Philippa spoke defiantly, but she felt frightened suddenly,
    wishing she hadn't mentioned it quite so precipitately. But she couldn't retract what she'd said now. 'Anyway, she's clearly waiting for you, so I wouldn't waste any more time.'
    'When I want your advice on how to conduct my personal life,
    ma femme, I will ask for it.' There was a tiny muscle jumping beside
    his grim mouth. 'However, I have no intention of spending the night
    anywhere but here.'
    There was another profound silence. Philippa swallowed. 'When
    you say "here",' she began. I hope you don't mean...'
    He gave her a brief hard smile. 'I mean exactly what you think,
    ma belle.'
    'No—oh, no!' She took another dismayed step away from him.
    'You promised me...'
    'Listen to me,' he said harshly. 'My first task when I left you
    earlier was to inform my uncle of our marriage. When he had
    managed to overcome his chagrin a little, he insisted that we dine
    with him tomorrow evening—so that he and his family may meet you,
    Philippa.' He shrugged. 'I could hardly refuse.'
    'But he can't do that!' She gave him an imploring look. 'Please—
    you've got to put him off. It's too soon—I'm not ready to face anyone yet.'
    'Exactly the point I am trying to make,' Alain drawled. 'They are
    expecting, my uncle, my aunt and my cousin Sidonie, to meet my
    loving and loved wife, not some frightened shrinking virgin. So we will need
    to present them with a normal marriage, not a pretence a child
    could see through. You begin now to see the necessity, perhaps?'
    'No,' she said hoarsely. 'No, I don't. I can't meet them yet. You'll
    have to think of some excuse.'
    'Au contraire,' Alain said quite gently, and put down his glass.
    The green eyes swept over her, making her feel, terrifyingly, as if the concealing satin no longer existed. 'I think I shall have to see what I can do to—persuade you.'
    'Get out of my room.' Her voice cracked. 'Don't come near me—
    or I'll scream the place down!'
    'Vraiment?' His brows lifted mockingly. 'And who do you imagine
    will hear you—or care? The Giscards are far too well trained to
    interfere.'
    'You—bastard!'
    'Calling