Ailene spit out a bit of her food before covering her mouth. Thorburn and Stuart appeared to be choking on theirs. Frang was laughing hysterically, getting louder when Isobel said, "I wondered what woke me this morning. I guess we know now who and what it was."

"I'd be embarrassed," Teárlag said, "if I made so much noise all the time, but Thorburn's the first to make me squeal like that. It was uncommonly wonderful. I still need a cushion though."

Ailene asked a maid to bring a cushion. Stuart had stopped coughing and pounded on Thorburn's back. Frang still laughed hysterically and Teárlag had the smile of a cat...