Ordinarily, Phryne might be pleased to see her companions indulging their desires in such fashion, but it concerned her that many seemed to have no choice or that they were otherwise not enjoying the indulgence. It seemed a recipe for disaster, and a perfect cover for a man inclined toward sexual assault. It was that that drove Phryne to see that none of the younger women, in particular, had gone missing or were otherwise distressed. If only she'd been half so vigilant with Jane--

Phryne gasped, so taken aback at the sight of Jack embracing another woman that it drove the breath right out of her. She hadn't yet regained it when his name slipped from her lips unbidden carrying all of her shock and betrayal. It hurt so unbelievably, even knowing it couldn't possibly be as it seemed, that Phryne simply froze with her hand over her chest.