"I've got to be clever, I guess, to make you love me."
"Lynn, I'm afraid you're artful. Yes—and much too experienced! You'd better go now before you talk me into something that isn't real and.... If you do love me, you aren't wanting anything else."
"You'd really like to get rid of me?"
"For tonight, yes. I need to be alone to think—about you."
"Fair enough—if that's a promise."
"It's a promise."
Lucinda stood up, a maneuvre that lifted Summerlad unwillingly out of his chair. He took her hand and sketched an intention of using it to draw her to him. But she laughed quietly, shaking her head.
"Good night, my dear."
"I've never tried to kiss you, Linda...."
"And won't, I know, till I want you to."