"After you're gone?" Goneril asked. She rubbed her nose up against his cheek. "I'm not going to be any kind of company for anyone," she pointed out softly. "I'll try to talk to Starling," she said hesitantly. "And maybe I can get Moira to take me through some more of the books?"

He nodded. "It seems like such an opportunity for you. It would be a shame for you to get home and suddenly remember something you would have liked to have done. But you are coming back again, aren't you?"

"I want to," Goneril replied. "But I want to come back to you. Coming here takes too long and is too complicated for me to fathom making that kind of trip and not seeing you."

"We'll have some time to work that out while we're writing. I won't let you arrive without my being there, even if it's just for a few days. Probably longer if there's enough time to plan." He kissed her forehead. "It's not the end of everything, I hope."

"It can't be," Goneril answered firmly. "I won't let it." She reached up, running her fingers through his hair. "How long is your trip home?" she asked. "How many days would it take for you to write before I go home?"

"Not far. Just across the channel. We left at daybreak this time, arrived by dusk, and were settled in by nightfall. It depends on the queen." He petted her back, quiet. "I could send you a letter before you leave? Easily."

Goneril grinned, her eyes bright. "That would be lovely," she said. "I've already been writing something for you to take home with you, but I'm afraid it's a bit silly. I wish...I just wish we could extend this for a few days now. I know we can't."

"I don't care if it's silly so long as it's true. Give it to me before we leave. I'll read it on the way up and start composing a reply." He sighed. "I wish we could to. If the queen was better, I might try to persuade her, but all of this has been very hard on her. I'm afraid if I suggested it, she might try to stay longer."

"I know," Goneril answered. "And I understand. It's all true," she assured him. "I wouldn't write anything to you that wasn't true."

"Good." He laughed to himself. "Now I'm nervous. I'm afraid I've given the impression that I lead some like of exciting double-life, but most of it's pretty routine, all told." He gave her a serious look. "Well, it won't be routine to you, I suppose. At least I'll know someone's getting some pleasure from it."