"Then I'll do my best to see that you don't learn." Phryne lifted her glass to her lips and took a small sip to steady herself against the storm of emotions this conversation provoked. "But I won't lie to you, either."

Another sip, another pause to steady herself. She found this very unsettling, more especially because, "As I won't pretend you're not dear to me, and don't plan to make a secret of our involvement, I imagine the desire and the opportunities will be limited."