Cinque fixed his obsidian eyes on Chad. “I’ve never found that ‘fitting in’ suited my cause. And, though the offer is appreciated, after the pitiful and almost ascetic use to which you’ve accustomed your poor Charlotte, why, sending her back after even a modicum of lusty fulfillment would just be frustrating and cruel, don’t you think?”

Chad mocked him with a solemn nod. “You’re right, of course. After that kind of bestiality, it might take weeks to get her back to an understanding that art and technique always triumph over aggressive penetration, even though it might be over almost before it began.”

The hatch opened before Cinque could riposte. Bartolome Radcek—dressed in a casual gray business suit with an imperial collar—stepped into the room. His quick gaze, as always, cataloged the situation and seating. Then he stepped past Cinque, finding the First Officer’s chair next to Falise.

Sharp as ever, he’d read the tension between Chad and Cinque, smiled as he took in Falise’s posture, her knee still pulled up. “Miss anything?”

“An enlightening conversation about sharing valets and how they may not return to service with quite the same dedication to duty,” she told him, well aware that she was twisting a thorn in an already festering wound, given what she’d gotten out of Kramer. But then, for the time being, until the new equilibrium was achieved, it was all about keeping one’s adversaries off balance.

Ignoring the barb, Bart smiled amiably, fixed his yellow eyes on hers, and said, “I do hope you are offering Ednund. I would so love to discover his secrets when it comes to your sartorial perfection. I expect he’d a be a font of information. So much so that I’d be loath to send him back after I’d drained him dry.”

The disarming look he was giving Falise might have fooled someone who hadn’t been trained as well as she. “I’m honored that Ednund is so coveted. It reminds me to keep him close and cherished.”

“Actually,” Chad said through feigned weary reluctance, “Cinque was wishing for Charlotte.”

Ah! Perfect. Falise let no hint of satisfaction betray itself.

“She does dress Chad nicely,” Cinque agreed, “but despite fashion and fine dress—as enchanting as they are—we really need to get on to this Donovan business.”