Stephanie would have preferred to have had lunch in either of her two "fortresses", Languedoc, which she actually owned now, and La Navarra, her favorite restaurant, now more than ever. Still, Alistaire's taste in food was good enough and she liked to see him every now and again, to make sure he wasn't doing anything that would bump up into her scheme of interest.

Of course, the answer to that question was that she'd finally done the sensible thing and got back together with Marcelo. Only last night really. She was still probably palpably giving off afterglow.

"You'll no doubt find out soon enough." She answered civilly. "So, Alice dearest, why did you invite me out for lunch? Just wanted to see your old Aunt again?"