Gillian tossed the pillow in the air and caught it with a little laugh. “You heard me tell your mama I was fine. What is it you really want to know?”

“Perceptive as ever.” Charlotte giggled, then tipped her head meaningfully toward Nick.

“Nick darling, why don’t you go down to the kitchen and see if Mrs. Tennyson has any of her delicious fruit tarts left? I’m sure Cousin Charlotte would let you take that four-legged curmudgeon with you.”

Nick gave her a long glance that let her know he was aware he was being sent out of the way, but scooped up Roget and left without delay.

“There, I have sent my son away for you, now what did you want to discuss that we couldn’t in front of him?”

Charlotte leaned forward and clasped her hands together. “That.”

“That what?”

Charlotte prodded her with her foot. “You know. That.”

Gillian narrowed her eyes. “You don’t mean…that?”

“Yes, I do. That.”

“No, truly, that?”

“That!”

“Oh.” Gillian thought for a moment. “You know, it really is strange. I don’t feel changed, but now that I am married, things are different. For instance, it wouldn’t be at all proper for me to discuss that with you.”

“Fudge about what’s proper. Did you enjoy it? Was it as pleasurable as Penny says, or horrid like Mama told you?”

Gillian blushed. “Honestly, Charlotte, you shouldn’t believe everything your maid tells you. And I don’t believe I’m supposed to discuss that with you—I’m sure it’s breaking some sort of married women’s rule or possibly a law or some such thing.”

Charlotte scooted over to the edge of the love seat and took a firm grip on her cousin’s arm. “If you do not tell me about that, I shall tell Mama about the time I saw you kissing that scrumptious stableboy.”

Gillian raised her chin. “Do your worst, cousin. I am beyond your mama’s reprimands now.”

“But not your husband’s.”

Gillian blanched at the thought of that. “What in particular did you wish to know about that?”

Charlotte told her.

A half hour later Nick returned to the sitting room to find both Charlotte and Gillian doubled over in laughter. “…but it wasn’t really broken at all, I just thought it was! It worked quite well later—oh, hello, Nick. Did you have a nice time in the kitchen? Did Cook give you a tart?”

Nick nodded and looked shyly at Charlotte. Gillian held out her hand for him and, scooting over, pulled him onto the seat alongside her. “I was just telling my cousin about last night. Now you’re up-to-date, Charlotte.”

Charlotte appeared thoughtful and watched absently as Gillian ruffled her stepson’s hair and gave him a little hug. “Whose house was it that Lord Weston was found in?”

“His own! It is the house he keeps for his mis…uh…his lady friends.”

“Gillian! How can you be so blasé about that?”

“I’m not in the least. But you see, I happen to know that Noble has dispensed with his latest friend’s services.”