She was on her way to New York—away from him, out of his life forever. It was clear to him now. Of course they were never going to run away with each other. He had known it all along, and so had she. It had been a wild game, intensely lifelike. He wished they could have said a proper goodbye. But what would a proper goodbye have looked like? He respected the way she’d gone. Simple and clean, no words. She was gone, but he would have the vivid memory of her for the rest of his life. He felt as if he’d escaped with a precious gem, something he’d hold close and take with him to his grave, and no one would ever know, only the two of them. He’d be loyal to her in his dreams. He would always love her.

But now, he had to admit, he felt safe. As if he’d arrived home out of a frightening storm.

Clara lay down on the rug by the coffee table, having finished her plate, and stretched her arms and legs out long like a cat. She was wearing a white-and-green flowered dress, and when she stretched, her bosom swelled and the top edge of her bra peeked out. She sat up and leaned back on her hands. “I’m so, so very glad it’s just the four of us,” she said. “I felt like we couldn’t be ourselves,” she added, to Max. “No offense to her.”

“I know,” Max said from the armchair. “Let’s not talk about it anymore.”

“I hope we aren’t inhibiting you too,” Effie said. She was down on the rug too, with Henry, leaning back against the sofa, her warm hand on his leg. They were full. It felt good. He hadn’t had much of an appetite all week.

“Are you kidding?” Clara said. “You make everything more interesting. I wish it weren’t so chilly out. We could go skinny-dipping in the pool.”

Henry’s senses quickened, but she was looking at Effie, who shrugged and answered coolly: “I told you, I’d do it if it was warmer.”

“Really?” Henry said, and she smiled at him.

“If you approved,” she said. “If you did it too.”

Clara held up her glass. “Henry would approve. He’s no stick in the mud.”

He laughed uncertainly. “I hope not.”

“There’s always Kings Cup,” Max said.

“That was fun,” Clara put in. “I’d play that again.”

“We could make it a dare. Pull the ace of spades and you have to strip and jump into the pool.”

“Not in this world,” Effie said. “I would refuse.”

“There would be a penalty.”