“I trust you have slept well,” said his Grace suavely.

“Excellently well, I thank you, sir,” was the unblushing reply.

“I am relieved to hear you say so, my dear. I had thought you unable to⁠—your mouth kept shut so admirably. Doubtless you have schooled your jaw not to drop when you sleep sitting up? I wish I might do the same.”

The triumph in his voice was thinly veiled. She found nothing to say.

He rose.

“With your leave, I will go to procure you some refreshment, child. Do not think me uncivil if I remind you that a servant stands without either door.”

“I thank you for the kind thought,” she smiled, but her heart was sick within her.

He disappeared, returning a few moments later with a glass of wine and some little cakes.