Adelaide dipped her chin deeper than she might have normally, knowing better than to embarrass her husband by curtseying to an employee’s intended, though determined to give her as much respect as she could. “Delighted, Miss Verran. I understand you are to marry this man in a few weeks.”

Miss Verran slid her eyes toward Mr. Bodville, her smile becoming rather sweet. “Aye, madam. That I am.”

“And you are set on it?” Adelaide asked playfully. “Well and truly?”

Basset groaned, but Adelaide pointedly ignored the sound, which seemed to entertain Miss Verran.

“Well,” she said, wrinkling up her nose a little, “I’ve not been asked by other parties, ma’am. Seems on’y fitty to accept a decent proposal when it’s offered if there’s none others to be ‘ad.”

Mr. Bodville choked out a laugh, and Adelaide held up a hand to him, as though she could block him from the conversation as a whole.

“What sound reasoning you have, Miss Verran!” Adelaide praised, nodding her approval. “Quite right. And he is fairly well situated, is he not?”

“Aye,” Miss Verran confirmed. “Good position with a decent wage, and ‘e already owns an ‘ouse, which is more than most men can boast at ‘is age. My faather approves of ‘im, and my mother thinks ‘im ansum.”

Adelaide fought the urge to smile, keeping to the game by nodding once more. “Truly, the prospects are quite marvelous. But come, let us talk more. Of marriage, of the wedding itself, everything of more interest to us women than prospects and such. Perhaps away from the men, you might tell me your true feelings.” She took Miss Verran’s arm and steered her away, releasing a few giggles as she did so. “Are they watching?”

Miss Verran looked over her shoulder, laughing herself. “Aye, ma’am. Jeremy looks a mite concerned, but your ‘usband seems entertained.”

“Excellent.” Adelaide exhaled happily, relaxing into a comfortable stride with the pleasant girl. “I think the world of Mr. Bodville, Miss Verran. Your choice is to be commended.”

“Thank ee, ma’am. He is very good to me.” Miss Verran sighed a little, hesitating. “I pray ee, ma’am, do not feel the need to attend the wedding if ee have no liking for it. I know it is no’ so fine as affairs ee will have attended, though it is kind of ee to offer.”

Adelaide looked at her in surprise. “My dear Miss Verran, of course I have a liking for it! All weddings should be celebrated, and I’ve never been to one in Cornwall before. Mr. Bodville assures me there will be a great deal of traditional festivities to be had there. You would not ask me to miss such an occasion, surely. Not when my husband values him so.”

Miss Verran shook her head. “Of course not, ma’am. Come, if ee like. I on’y thought… I presumed…”