“Try, Ban.”
Her mouth closed down upon his, flower-sweet, petal-light, and was withdrawn. She leaned back, gazing at him from half-closed, inscrutable eyes.
“That’s for good-bye, Io?” With all his self-control, he could not keep his voice steady.
“There have been too many good-byes between us,” she murmured.
He lifted his head, attentive to a stir at the door, which immediately passed.
“I thought that was Archie, come after you.”
“Archie isn’t coming.”
“Then I’ll send for the car and take you home.”
“Won’t you understand, Ban? I’m not going home.”