“I know him,” Constance said slowly. “Or I know who he’s supposed to be. Didn’t expect him so soon. He’s a private dick I’m thinking of bringing in for the charity ball.”

“Something go wrong?”

“Not yet. Not as far as I know. But I think it’s a good idea to have a little house security on my side as a preventive measure.”

“Sure blows me away,” Veronica said. “But then, you’re the smarty-pants around here.”

“If you actually think that, Veronica, you are doing yourself a great disservice. You just need a bit more experience in certain areas.”

“Gee, thanks, Constance.”

“Stick around me, sis, and you’ll become a prodigy in a jiffy.”

“Yes! I want to! I want to be a-a-genius! What I wouldn’t do for you!”

“Can you do my back for me now?”

“Sure. I love to give you rubdowns. But what about that dude that’s waiting around? Tell him to kiss off or what?”

“Shit. I’ll see him.”

“Shall I send him up?”

“No. I’ll have to get dressed before I meet him.”

“But, like, Constance. He’s not one of us, you know. He’s like-almost like a servant. You shouldn’t have to care whether something like that sees you naked.

I mean, you wouldn’t care if a hound were around while you took a shit.-”

“I’m afraid I do have to treat the poor boy as if I think he’s half human. I need his good graces in light of the occasion.”

“Too bad.”

“Oh?”

“In more ways than one. I caught a look at him while he was talking to Morrigana in the foyer-he didn’t see me-and if he weren’t so common he might be a bit of fun.”

“Hmmmmm. That’s one thing you can begin to learn, Veronica.”

“Huh?”

“You don’t have to forgo sleeping with someone simply because of their social status or dearth of family background. There may well be limits as to your eventual involvement with them. But they’re not strictly off-limits sexually.”