She stopped dead in the middle of his rug, her throat fluttering beneath the veil.

"Us?"

"Have you just wandered off the streets? Come to the wrong house? Or are without the slightest idea of the ruin this will spell for your reputation?"

"For sure, if our paths had ever crossed, I would be certain to recall someone so very charming and caring as your good self."

"Well, that's a relief. Even if no one's said I was that before."

He wrinkled his nose. ...