Lady Prestlefield bowed her head arctically. “I am not one to beat about the bush,” she pronounced. “I have no idea why you are in this house, Mrs. Ewing, but you are not welcome in mine!” She left, dragging Lady Cucklesham behind her.

Lucien raised an eyebrow and kissed Emily’s hand. “An odd thing,” he said in a husky tone. “No matter whose house you choose to visit, I am certain that I would rather you were in my house.”

Emily stilled for a moment, and color rose into her face as she looked up at him. Then she stood. “I must take Phoebe home,” she said.

“May I apologize for my tiresome guests?” Gabby asked.

Emily Ewing’s slight, weary smile lit up her eyes. “Not at all. I consider myself lucky. After all”—and she curtsied to Lucien—“a dragon slayer happened to be here as well.” With a hasty bow, Lucien followed her from the room.

“Her little girl is beautiful, isn’t she?” Sophie asked Gabby wistfully. Tears shone in her eyes.

“Why, what is the matter?” Gabby asked, startled.

“Foolishness,” Sophie admitted. She impatiently dashed away a tear. “I lost a babe last summer, and I grow stupidly melancholic at times.” Her voice shook.

Gabby squeezed her friend’s hand. “It must have been terrible to lose a child.”

“I am hoping for better luck this time,” Sophie said, smiling a bit tearily.

“Oh, Sophie, that’s wonderful! When will your baby arrive?”

“Perhaps in August,” she replied. “I am not quite certain, as the doctor seems to think I am farther along than I had believed. I’m beginning to show already, and I’ve only missed two fluxes.”

Then she visibly pulled herself together and turned to Gabby. “Well? What about last night?”

Gabby shook her head. “I couldn’t do it! I just couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“We had an argument, and then Quill went to his study—” She ground to a halt. “I could not interrupt him for no reason. And we don’t…we don’t sleep together at night.”

“You must interrupt him,” Sophie said positively.

“No, you don’t understand. Quill has important work. Even the servants hesitate to disrupt his schedule.”

“When I interrupt Patrick, he is invariably welcoming. Your husband will be as well.”

Gabby could feel heat rise up her throat and face. “You don’t understand, Sophie. You’re so beautiful and sophisticated. It’s easy for you. But I—we’ve only tried this once—”

“What on earth are you talking about? You are one of the most luscious ladies in the ton, Gabby. Half the gentlemen in London are lusting after you. Especially after you exhibited your chest to most of Lady Fester’s guests,” Sophie added impishly.

“Well,” Gabby could feel her face getting warmer and warmer. “That still doesn’t—”

“Why don’t you do it again?” Sparks of mischief were fairly flying from Sophie’s eyes.