When Stephanie wanted something, she went to get it. And she was, in a sense, something akin to royalty anyway. Shaw Industries was in a regency right now and once she got it, she'd be one of the wealthiest people on Earth. Besides, she had a taste for the good things in life and the money to indulge in them when she wanted to.

She responded by leaning across the table and kissing him, her lips perfumed with various fine wines and liqueurs from the night's dinner.

"An honour you will be granted."

The cigars came out with a complementary snifter of the self-same brandy.