“I hope that’s all he told you,” she said, “or I’ll have to have him clapped in irons.”

“He was very discreet,” Gala said. “But I’m a screenwriter by trade, and I sometimes write about your sort of derring-do. Perhaps if Stone gives you enough wine, you’ll tell me some trade secrets that I can put into a film.”

“If Stone gives me enough wine, he knows I’ll tell all,” Felicity replied. “So I’d better be very careful.”

Stone poured her another glass of the Palmer, and they all had a good laugh.

14

In bed after dinner Gala threw a leg over Stone’s and stuck her tongue in his ear.

Stone responded.

“Now that I have your attention,” she said.

“You have it. Now what?”

“I wanted to bring up a subject that I have not broached before.”

“Why haven’t you broached it?”

“Because the occasion had not arisen.”

“The occasion for what?”

“A potential threesome.”

Now she had his attention. “When did that occasion arise?”

“At dinner.”

“Somehow I missed that.”

“Men can be so obtuse.”

“I suppose so.”

“It was obvious that you and Dame Felicity have, in the past, been an item. Perhaps you still are.”

“Not at the moment.”

She laughed. “Well, right now, I’m taking up all the space.”

“Are you saying you’d like to share the space with Felicity?”

“The thought crossed my mind. It crossed hers, too.”

“Somehow I missed that.”

“Of course you did. She made it perfectly clear to me, though.”

“How, exactly, did she do that?”

“I’m not sure I should tell you. I don’t know how you would react.”

“Try me.”

“All right, she ran a fingernail up the inside of my thigh, under the dinner table.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope.”

“And how did you respond to that?”

“With pleasure. I told her I’d get back to her.”

“I didn’t hear that, and I was there all the time.”

“Oh, not in so many words. I just gave her to understand that the matter was under consideration.”

“How, exactly, did you convey that?”

“Let’s just say that I was discreetly receptive.”

“Oh.”

“And, need I point out that since the subject arose, you have responded in your own particular way?” She held him in her hand and squeezed.

“I think I must be responding to you.”

“Well, I hope so, but the subject under discussion produced a pronounced indication of interest. Have you and Felicity ever entertained another woman in bed?”

“Not that I recall.”

“Well, if that had occurred, I’m sure you would recall it.”

“I expect so.”

“What experience have you had with threesomes?”

“That’s a very direct question,” he said.

“I’m a very direct woman.”

“I’ve noticed that and found it attractive.”

“So, answer the question.”

“A couple of times.”

“With what success?”

“Well, it happened—I guess that’s success.”

“And how did you respond?”