What have I done thins time?" he paused to ask before continuing with his oral expedition about her body: her husband, the intrepid explorer.

You do realise modern social mores exist for a reason?" "I was hungry, allowances should be made.

I am entirely capable." "Of what, waddling up to someone and ruthlessly bumping into them?

Rail is such an undignified way to travel. All that rapid racing about. Floating has so much more gravitas.

The infant-inconvenience kicked in response, and Conall twitched at the sensation. “Active little pup, isn’t he?” “She,” corrected his wife. “As if any child of mine would dare be a boy.” It was a long-standing argument. “Boy,” replied Conall. “Any child as difficult as this one has been from the start must, perforce, be male.” Alexia snorted. “As if my daughter would be calm and biddable.” Conall grinned, catching one of her hands and bringing it in for a kiss, all prickly whiskers and soft lips. “Very good point, wife. Very good point.

Ah, Ivy, thought Alexia happily, spreading a verbal fog wherever she goes.

How ghastly for her, people actually thinking, with their brains, and right next door. Oh, the travesty of it all.