"Darling… do you understand what I've been trying to tell you?" Ginny questioned, moving close to him once more.

"I-I… I've got to think," he said, walking to a table and stubbing out his cigarette.

"About me?"

He went to her quickly, enfolding her into his arms once more. "Hell no… not about you, Cheri. You've haunted my mind for a year now." He kissed her. "Look, we have to get out of here… get back to the party before we're missed."

"Yes, I know. Tomorrow then… at the summer place?"

"At the summer place… I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world."

"Oh… Oh darling," she moaned, kissing him a last time. "I wish I was twenty-one instead of twenty-nine… I wish I'd never known a man before you…"

"Funny," he said, grinning down at her, "I'm glad that you're twenty-nine… and more happy that you've known other men. Now, I'm going to get the benefit of all that experience… and it better be good."

"Whatever it is, it'll be for you and you alone."

"We'll see," he teased.

"Yes," she whispered, "we'll see…"

CHAPTER THREE

Madeleine could not sleep. She lay restless in the large bed of their expensive Ville de Hampstead apartment, waiting for Antoine to join her. He had wanted a nightcap, but she had been too upset and had gone straight to bed. Now, she could hear the soft music from the tape-deck and visualized him sitting in his favorite chair with his feet up on the ottoman, comfortably stretched out and leisurely enjoying a scotch… entertaining no idea in this world of the abhorrent secret she must now live with.

Her brain whirled in her still-shamed, utter debasement. Again, she had failed this proud young man she loved so much, and this time, there could be no forgiveness.