Governor Iolanthe Staff slid out from under the body of her lover.  Collapsing against the cool surface of her pillow, she ran a hand over her body, slick with perspiration.  After several deep breaths, she rolled off the mattress and stepped to the washstand, where she poured the full pitcher of water into the basin.  Setting the pitcher aside, she cupped both hands in the cool water and brought them up to splash it over her face.  She didn’t bother to dry herself.

Gazing at the man on the bed, she took careful note of his muscular back and buttocks, before moving back and crawling cat-like to him.  She draped herself over him and kissed the nape of his neck.

“This was very nice,” she said.

“I’m glad to hear that,” he said, drowsily.  “I wasn’t sure I was welcome at first.”

“You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

“No, I have to get up.”

She rolled off of him, sitting up, and fluffing the pillow behind her.

“I thought as much.” Her voice turned from sultry to crisp and commanding.  “You should be on your way.  It’s almost tea.”

“Yes.”

He got up and walked around the bed to the washstand.  There, he took the hand towel, and dipping it in the basin, used it to wash his body. He quickly dressed and used her brush to put his sandy blond hair back into its usual neat precision.

“Will you be by tomorrow?”

“I don’t know.  I have a great deal to do.”

“I’m surprised you have any time for me at all.”

“I have a weakness for powerful women,” he said.  “It must be down to how I was raised.”

“Perhaps I’ve grown too old and ugly for you.”

“Don’t be stupid.”  He glanced over her naked body, nodding in appreciation.  “I said I have a great deal to do.  I have to take care of this wizard problem.”

“My nephew is dealing with it,” said Iolanthe.

“It’s a police matter,” he said, slipping into his suit jacket, “and I am the Chief of Police.”

“So you are.”

He stepped to the door and started to turn the knob.

“Saba?” she called.

“I’ll be back tomorrow,” he called over his shoulder.