What do I have to be jealous of? Alice asked that accusing voice in her head. I have three gorgeous sons and Zenobia doesn't have even one. I have a rich husband, a big beautiful house, all the free time I want, and three of the best sons in the world. If anybody should be jealous, it should be Zenobia.

Zenobia has a lover, that persistent little voice said. Zenobia is having an affair with a muscular young man, no less. Zenobia is being satisfied in ways you've almost forgotten about, Alice – in ways you've almost forgotten.

Alice jumped up off the couch and went to the window.

What a rotten day, she thought, trying to quiet that nagging, taunting little voice. Why does it have to rain and rain and rain?

Alice couldn't remember when she'd last seen the sun. The winter rains were depressing. Being cooped up in a mansion day after day while the rains hammered the windows put depraved ideas into her head. It was during rainy season that Alice sometimes wished she lived in a small ranch-style home instead of this monstrosity.

She checked her watch. Thank God she'd be leaving for the health club in a half hour. She would put in a hard hour with the weights, then hit the swimming pool for fifteen minutes before her massage at five. She especially looked forward to the massage. Thomas, the 19-year-old masseur, was the most talented masseur Alice had ever met. Those big warm hands of his could relax her magically. He could put her sleep in minutes.

And he looks just like Zenobia's stableboy, said that nagging voice. Doesn't he, Alice? You'd like to fuck him, wouldn't you, Alice? Just once, you'd like to fuck him and see what it's like to fuck a cock other than Paul's. Paul isn't quite the man he used to be. You hardly ever see him anymore. And when he's home from his continent hopping, he has so little time for you. It's as if he's forgotten he even has a wife.