Another laugh, and an easing; Adelaide drops it and Benevenuta allows that to be enough, relaxing back into the more familiar patterns of their interaction as if slipping into a more comfortable gown.

"If you were the sort of woman to be scandalized by my promiscuity," she says, her lips quirking in that crooked way she has, "I can't think we would be such good friends. I merely remind you that you aren't."

And in doing so firmly place whatever she'd been doing with Hercules in that realm, and set it aside.

"But if you've suggestions as to more appropriate companions, my Orlesian friend, by all means...!"