'Leave us!' Ivan's low voice lashed out at Esther and Francis. 'Laugh all you like!' he said to Beatrice. 'But you know full well that I long for you! I need your levering presence to lift the loneliness that loads my lengthy days! Live with me, and I will let these lovely losers live in peace! Lose me, and my lion will lick their livers!'

Beatrice leaned away from him with loathing.