After a few minutes, standing near her, talking, occasionally moving a little closer, he was whispering into her ear, and once or twice he reached round behind her, to run his fingers down her spine through the silky dress she wore.

"I said I'd go on with the others," she told him quietly, looking down, biting her lip, and putting her hand behind her, holding his where it rubbed at the small of her back.

"Some boring band, some singer, performing for everybody?" he chided gently, taking his hand away, smiling. "You deserve more individual attention, Ren."

She laughed quietly, nudging him.

Eventually she left the room, and didn't return. Gurgeh strolled over to where Yay was gesticulating wildly and extolling the virtues of life on floating magnetic islands, then saw Chamlis in the corner, studiously ignoring the three-legged pet, which was staring up at the machine and trying to scratch one of its bulges without falling over. He shooed the beast away and talked to Chamlis for a while.

Finally the crowd of people left, clutching bottles and a few raided trays of sweetmeats. The aircraft hissed into the night.

Gurgeh, Yay and Chamlis finished their card-game; Gurgeh won.

"Well, I have to go," Yay said, standing and stretching. "Chamlis?"

"Also. I'll come with you; we can share a car."

Gurgeh saw them to the house elevator. Yay buttoned her cloak. Chamlis turned to Gurgeh. "Want me to say anything to Contact?" Gurgeh, who'd been absently looking up the stairs leading to the main house, looked puzzledly at Chamlis. So did Yay. "Oh, yes," Gurgeh said, smiling. He shrugged. "Why not? See what our betters can come up with. What have I got to lose?" He laughed.

"I love to see you happy," Yay said, kissing him lightly. She stepped into the elevator; Chamlis followed her. Yay winked at Gurgeh as the door closed. "My regards to Ren," she grinned.