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breath and his eyes narrowed. “We both know you got to her in a moment of weakness or she’d never have agreed to leave me. Don’t expect any favors. And I wouldn’t make any dates with her, she’s going to be damned busy for the next two weeks,” he added meaningfully.
    â€œAll the same,” Jim replied with a cool smile, “If she calls me to come after her, I’ll come, and you can damned well do your worst. Good night.”
    Without a word, Curry pulled Eleanor into the house and slammed the door behind them.
    Eleanor pulled weakly against the lean brown hand that was strangling her wrist as Curry dragged her up the stairs.
    â€œLet me go!” she protested, coming out of the stupor the unfamiliar alcohol had caused.
    â€œWhen I get you sober,” he agreed curtly. “You’re going to get a bath, little girl.”
    â€œI had a bath already,” she replied haughtily.
    â€œNot the kind you’re about to get. Bessie?” he called loudly. When there was no answer, he yelled louder, “Bessie!”
    â€œI’m coming, I’m coming, I only have two legs and I’m using both of them as fast as I can!” Bessie grumbled as she ambled up the stairs behind them, finally catching up in Eleanor’s blue and white bedroom.
    â€œLord, what’s the matter with her?” she burst out, when she got the first look at the younger woman’s tousled hair and glazed eyes. “She don’t look like Eleanor. Where’s her glasses? Her clothes look…Are you sure that’s Eleanor?” she asked in a low, curious voice. “Where’d you find her?”
    â€œCrawling out of Jim Black’s car like a misbehaving pup,” Curry said gruffly. “Put her in a cold tub and get her sober,” he added with a malicious glance atEleanor, who was hanging onto a bedpost for dear life and glaring at him.
    â€œBut the poor child will freeze!” Bessie protested.
    â€œIf you don’t do it,” he said with a flash of intent in his silvery eyes, “I will!”
    â€œOf all the unconventional things!” Bessie caught Eleanor by the arms and shuffled her off toward the bathroom. “Come on, child, I’ll save you.”
    â€œCouldn’t you save me,” Eleanor asked dizzily, “without the cold bath?”
    Bessie only laughed. “You know Mr. Curry doesn’t make threats. Besides, it’ll all be over in just a few minutes and I’ll tuck you in and bring you some aspirin and a cup of nice, hot chocolate.”
    â€œWhat,” Eleanor mumbled, as Bessie started unzipping the terry top, “do I need aspirins for?”
    By the time Bessie got her numb body into a gown and into bed, she knew with painful clarity what the aspirins were for.Her head was throbbing and she felt vaguely nauseated just at the thought of the whiskey she’d put away. She knew without being told that she really was going to hate herself in the morning.
    Curry came in just as Bessie went out, after leaving hot chocolate and aspirin by Eleanor’s bedside. He leaned nonchalantly against a bedpost to stare at the white-faced little ghost in the big bed, her black hair swirling untidily around her shoulders.
    â€œFeel bad?” he chided with a straight face, but his silver eyes sparkled with amusement.
    â€œI feel terrible,” she said in a whisper, managing to take a sip or two of hot chocolate. She felt dizzy, and sick, and her head pounded.
    â€œHow about another whiskey sour?” he asked.
    She glared at him with narrowed green eyes. “I hate you,” she said levelly.
    â€œWhy? I didn’t get you drunk.”
    â€œNeither did Jim, so don’t you blame him,” she told him.
    â€œWhy, baby?” he asked quietly.
    She glanced up at his dark, somber face, and let her eyes fall to the white coverlet. “Do I need a reason?”
    â€œI think so. I’ve never seen you