The instant he saw the look on Miss Beauregard’s face he regretted the words that had slipped from her lips and quickly nodded at her response. “Yes, precisely.” He agreed, as if he had meant nothing further than that.

Conversation turned to talk of books. A safe and comfortable conversation, Percy found himself relaxing again. “Oh! No.” He assured her as if aghast at the mere suggestion. “I wouldn’t dream of it.” He added with a chuckle of his own. “I’m afraid with the fog and my recent position…” Percy stopped awkwardly, almost tripping over the idea of his promotion. He hadn’t meant to bring it up and certainly didn’t want to seem as if he were bragging. “I’ve hardly had time to sleep, let alone read.” He ended in a rush, a bashful smile over his lips.