Behind a polished, silver wattle door on the third floor, her whole world stood waiting. All that was her life at the present - her friends, her home, Jane, Aunt Pru - were held back by one door among hundreds within the hotel, and where there was a security in knowing she could return at any time, her discovery of that door had been too well timed for her to want anything but to explore what the Nexus had to offer. She needed the freedom to chase what adventures might come without thought to what she had left behind for the time being, and where it would surely not always be the case, Phryne felt no guilt in taking some time for herself.

No more than she did for smiling over her glass at a handsome musketeer and speaking in double entendres with the taste of champagne on her tongue. She drained the last mouthful of the drink from her glass, swallowed, and then spoke. "And if I suggested we begin tonight?" she asked, setting her glass back down on the table with a care that belied the feeling of lightness that had only a little to do with the champagne, and the curl of anticipation in her stomach when she looked at him. "I could always borrow another bottle"