Raoul and I agreed that since the ladies had been gone all day, it was our turn to head into Paris for some debauchery after dinner. Christine had been regarding me strangely since the fencing incident, but once we announced our intentions for the evening, she started giving me the Stink-eye. I smiled gaily and refused to let it trouble me.

As soon as we got to Paris, I dashed to the candy store for coins and marrons glaces. Not that they weren't available in Perros, but they weren't as good; or maybe it was my imagination. We went to visit the green fairy first, then off to the Persian coffeehouse, more crowded than ever. I felt such pangs of longing; how I loved Paris.

As our evening about town wore on, I found myself perched on the horns of a dilemma. Likely we'd end the evening at that charming brothel, and in contrast to the other times I'd been there, I would've welcomed the opportunity to sample the wares. Of course, I couldn't do that while I was pretending to be Christine's devoted husband; saying anything to Raoul was completely out of the question. We had a couple of quick drinks, played a bit of baccarat and made our escape just as a lovely tart moved to perch on my lap.

-0-0-0-0-

Christine fired angry darts at every opportunity during breakfast. I didn't understand the problem. She hadn't objected so strenuously to my having a night out when we were really married; now, it made no sense at all. She was so goddamned moody, I would have sworn she was pregnant. Whatever her problem was, I had several items on my agenda, so I caught up to her on the stairs.

"A minute?"

"Alright." I followed her into the room we were pretending to share. Christine perched primly on the bed.

"Have you said anything to Manon yet?" I asked.

"No!" Her eyes were wide. "You haven't—"

"No, no," I assured her. "It's your news. Do you intend to tell them or not?"

"I'm having a nice holiday; I don't want to bring up any unpleasantness."

"Riii-iiight. Well, that being the case, I would recommend you stop giving me the Stink-eye so blatantly."

She dropped her eyes. "I didn't realize it was blatant."

"Oh, yes. Raoul noticed right away that you seemed off somehow." I cleared my throat; we were coming to the tricky part of the conversation. "And, actually, I'd have a nicer holiday myself if you'd tell our friends of our arrangement."

"Why?" she demanded.

"Because I'd feel more comfortable not having to pretend. Because they're going to find out sooner or later anyway. Because they deserve to know. Because I wanted to get laid last night, and I couldn't without betraying your big secret."

Christine's mouth dropped open. For several seconds, nothing further happened; then a scarlet flush crept fetchingly over her bust, throat, and onto her cheeks. She flew at me with a cry, but I was able to catch her wrists before she could land any blows. We had an enjoyable tussle; Christine alternately demanding that I release her and calling me a beast.

I am no beast. The wrestling match would have ended quite differently if I was. I bundled her up and tossed her onto the bed. She looked horrified, but didn't rush to arrange her skirts properly or to lessen her vulnerability.

"Christine, what do you want from me?"

"Nothing!" she screamed.

"Prove it!" I fired back. I stalked to the window and looked out at the road to the city, winding away into the distance. I hadn't intended an argument; I was just as angry as Christine. Finally, Christine broke she silence.

"I want to stop caring about you," she admitted. "When will you stop haunting me?"

I sat beside her; she allowed me to take her hand, but she refused to look at me.

"Then send me away, Angel," I whispered. "I don't want to go; but neither do I want you to suffer. Send me away." It didn't sound as though the words were coming from my mouth. I seemed to be watching the scene as if it was being played onstage; unreal. I can't be urging Christine to send me away, I thought, because if I was, I'd be dying inside, and I don't feel anything.

Christine shook her head, just once. "I can't."

"The children will be alright, Christine. I'll stay nearby and see them every day." I sounded so cheery and confident.

"Not for the babies. For me. I don't know what I was thinking; I know I suffer more without you than I do with you," she sighed.

I was utterly confused. "I don't want you to do anything that makes you unhappy," I reminded her.

"I know that," Christine smiled a little. "I think you don't have a single thought that's not about me somehow."

"You would be correct in thinking so," I admitted. Christine smoothed a crease on my shirt and my heart became a butterfly. "I am sorry I'm not a better man for you. I try every day."

"I know you do." She shoved herself against me. My arms flew wide; I didn't know what to do with them. "I've missed your arms around me." Ah. I embraced her then, soaking up the contact like parched earth does a summer cloudburst.

"I reacted so instinctively when I saw you and Raoul yesterday. I suppose it could have been like that for you when I was crying over Raoul that day," she ventured.

"It could have been," I agreed.

"Perhaps I overreacted."

I said nothing.

"Erik? Did you hear me? I said, perhaps I overreacted," she worried. Silly girl, did she really imagine I could rebuff her?

"I heard you, Angel. I was just thinking how much I'd love to kiss you."

"Kiss me? Is that all?" she frowned. "After all this time?"

"Well, it's a start."