“Wouldn’t you like to join us, Mr. McCallum?” said Brigitte in a throaty tone, still working her smile and eyes to maximum effect. “My friends and I were just talking about what foreign men find attractive in German women. I’m sure Sabina is boring you with all her plebeian talk of life on the farm. Besides, we need the opinion of a handsome American like you, who can tell us what you find desirable in us.”

With her final words she smiled him such a voluptuous invitation to pursue further intimacy as few men could resist.

“Danke, Fräulein von Dortmann,” Matthew replied. “I doubt I would be much help to you.”

“Ple-e-ase,” she said in a drawn-out, pouty tone, puckering her lips.

“I am quite content with the conversation I have at present.”

“Sabina hasn’t been boring you with her talk about gardens and animals, has she?”

“Not at all. I haven’t been bored in the least.”

“Do you not find European women attractive, Mr. McCallum?” Brigitte asked in an oily voice.

“Probably not for the reasons you and your friends are discussing.”

“I would so like to hear what you think. Perhaps you and I could—”

“I really must decline, Fräulein,” said Matthew. “Your cousin and I were not through with our conversation. I’m afraid you’ll have to excuse us.” He gave her a diplomatic smile.

He motioned his head toward Sabina and led her across the lawn and around the fishpond, leaving Brigitte incredulous where she stood staring after them.

“Pushy, isn’t she?” said Matthew with a chuckle as soon as they were out of earshot.

“She’ll never forgive you,” said Sabina.

“I’ll survive,” he added.

“No, I mean it. She can carry a grudge longer than anyone I know. Believe me, she’ll find some way to get back at you. She does not like to be made to look foolish.”

“She doesn’t need my help for that!”

Sabina could not help laughing.

“Sometimes I can hardly stand what she makes me feel inside. I know she’s my cousin and that I must be nice to her. Oh, but she tries my patience and goodwill when she acts like that! It doesn’t matter who or what it is, if she sees me enjoying something, she always tries to take it away from me. It’s been like that since we were little girls.”

“You have nothing to worry about on my account, let me tell you. I would rather spend a minute in conversation with you about life on the farm, as she put it, than an hour with her and her friends!”

“Just promise me you’ll watch yourself if you have occasion to run into her again.”

Matthew laughed lightheartedly.

“Promise me,” repeated Sabina. “You don’t know her like I do.”