[Pfft. Stephen figured as much, but her reaction is nearly as golden as the unraveling of her attempted joke. He cracks a smile at it, clearly amused — even if it is a little bit at her expense.]

Forbidden is right. Don’t worry, I don’t go perusing a host’s bedroom without a very good reason.

[He’ll spare her of any more embarrassment, though, turning towards the hallway and holding up the wine bottle in temporary acknowledgement.]

I only need an hour or two. I’ll be back out soon, so don’t work too hard while I’m gone.

[It doesn’t take long before he disappears down the hall, and though he is tempted to see just how forever long the corridor goes, eventually he stops and picks one at random to enter.]