As she said that, she slid her hand across the table and placed it on top of mine. "What would you say if I told you I knew another virgin that you co...ld have?"I looked at her, looked at her eyes and tried hard to hear the message she was conveying. Finally, just a hint of a smile appeared on her face. "I'd say that I would be honored."We both stood up from the table and found our way to my room. I intentionally went through a very obvious routine of securing the door and adjusting the window. She sat very straight and sipped her mulled drink, looking childishly morose.I found a shilling and tossed it in the air. "Call it," I said to the goggling George. "Tails," he said. I slapped it down, lifted my hand and said, "heads" before he had a glimpse. I had not bothered to look at the coin myself. "You take his lordship to Morristown, and I'll take that little bird to bed. She looks in desperate need to me." Two out of three?" George asked, and I shook my head.George nodded to Uncle Josh. The whole factory crew couldn't be costing them more than seven or eight hundred dollars an hour at that rate. Then he remembered signing over most of his pay for room and board. The bars and cushions were a little elaborated, but no more than in some barns, and once installed, nearly free, not to mention that the orange stuff was hardly executive fare.Oh God, thought Joe; they can't help but be successful with costs this low. The new numbers in his head came out to more like seven or eight. ”“I—” I grab his face and force him to meet my eyes. “It’s not that. It’s just. I only came here because of Cliff. He’s… He’s not well, and he wants me to settle down with someone, and…”Alain’s eyes search mine with a vulnerable look. “Cliff is your lover?”I can’t help it. I choke, snort, and laugh all at once, making a horrible sound. “Gods, no. He’s like a father to me. I’ve been working on his farm since I left.”Relief is clear on his face as he lets out a small breath. “I see. So you want.