“Nonsense. I won’t allow him to bother us. Hotel security will follow him, if he leaves the building, and the local police have already been warned about him. You will be perfectly safe here, and no trouble at all. I would be very unhappy if you were back in Santa Fe and I here.”

“Well, if you’re sure.”

“And anyway, we’ve already invited Felicity Devonshire for dinner tomorrow night . . . and she’ll be staying over.”

“Well,” Gala said, smiling, “there is that, isn’t there?”

“There certainly is.”

Gala patted the seat next to her, and Stone sat down. “Are you sure you want Felicity to stay over? I mean, it’s all very well for me, but . . .”

“It’s all very well for me, too,” he replied.

“It was last time, wasn’t it?”

“I enjoyed myself—and both of you.”

“It was the first time I’ve been in a threesome that worked for everybody,” she said. “I mean, jealousies do arise sometimes—usually, in fact.”

“I didn’t feel that at all.”

“Neither did I, and I don’t believe Felicity did.”

“Then we should be fine.”

“You’ll tell me, if it’s not?”

“I’m sure that, if we encounter difficulties, we’ll work them out in a civilized manner.”

“Are you aroused, talking about this?”

“I am.”

“So am I.”

“Then let’s go upstairs right now.”

She got up and led him out of the room and up the stairs. Once in the master bedroom, it took them only seconds to undress.

24

After dinner and after the making of love, Gala elected to have a Jacuzzi in the master bath, while Stone and Felicity enjoyed a cognac in bed.

“Such a nice evening,” Felicity said.

“I am entirely in agreement,” Stone sighed.

“Funny how easy it is with the three of us.”

“Gala and I said pretty much the same thing to each other.”

“I know I shouldn’t have to mention this,” Felicity said, “but I do.”

“Mention what?”

“This can never go any further than this room and the three of us.”

“You’re right, you shouldn’t have to mention it.”

“The tabloids have taken an interest in my sex life in the past,” she said, “but helpful people managed to quiet them.”

“I’m glad.”

“If they knew that you and I were doing the horizontal bunny hop, they’d love it, but they wouldn’t print it. But if they knew that the three of us were doing it, all at the same time, nothing would stop them from publishing.”

“I’m sure.”

“I’ve got some good years left in my job, and I want to serve them out without a scandal. After that . . .”

“You mean a scandal would be all right after you’ve retired?”

“Oh, I’d be asked everywhere by everybody!”

Stone laughed, then turned serious. “Felicity, I want to ask you a favor. I know I shouldn’t, but . . .”