They parted from Algernon and Dolores at the front of the restaurant. William arrived with the car. On the way home Sophie was bold enough to ask Alex if Algernon was a Member.
“Goodness me no,” he said. “He’d be shocked. He’s a very strict Catholic.”
“But Dolores isn’t his wife?”
“No, his wife lives in New York. Being Catholic, they can’t divorce. Technically he’s living in sin with Dolores, but you know how it is in Latin countries. But to join a Society the whole purpose of which is to facilitate and encourage s****l licence would be deeply shocking to him. That doesn’t mean that he won’t try to seduce you if he gives you work. In fact, he thinks it’s rather expected of him. Would you accept him?”
“No,” said Sophie immediately. “Not if he took it for granted.”
“You don’t think he’s
