Robur's hooded eyes watched as Star drank the strong black coffee that was served for their breakfast. He'd given her an orange and dark blue Imari style kimono to wear. She had accepted it with no comment other than a polite thank you. He found that interesting. He'd taken many women. It was natural that he should do so. Most of them wept or postured or demanded ridiculous things of him. And they asked idiotic questions.

Star Kelly was not of that ilk. She accepted things as they were. She was only a woman, and did not comprehend engineering. But she understood his genius and did not flinch from it. She was brave, in an inferior but appropriately feminine way. And very beautiful.

He'd been surprised when he found the pistol strapped to her thigh. She hadn't tried to hide it from him and made no coy explanations. She simply had shrugged and stated that a girl traveling alone needed the protection of a good firearm. He could not disagree with the truth of her statement and he had returned the pistol to her. Without the ammunition, of course.

The bag of jewelry she had hidden under her skirt intrigued him. All women prized such things, but she had relinquished her treasure to him with only mild regret. He would reward her for that, he decided. Naturally, he would return her trinkets to her. He allowed himself to smile, thinking of the gifts he could give her.

The gifts he would give her.

The woman had come to him willingly. More than willingly—she had demanded that he take her instead of that pallid worm he had intended as his victim. But he had no wish to make Star Kelly a victim. Nor did he want to use and discard her.

She smiled at him and sipped her coffee, content to sit quietly and not chatter over the breakfast cups. A truly superior woman.

Robur considered the matter from all angles. He had no need for a hostage at this point. He'd reached his headquarters with the entire load of Cavorite intact and without mishap. There was no reason to hold her to ransom. Such dealings were sordid at best—and beneath him under ordinary circumstances. Star Kelly had come to him of her own accord. And he would keep her.