Again, her eyebrows arched in surprise, this time far less discreetly. She had never known Antigone Lestrange to shy away from speaking frankly, even a bit maliciously, about those she disliked. Had she grown closer to Miss Lestrange during her absence from society? It seemed far-fetched a notion, but Bellona could think of no alternative explanation. How curious.

"Then you are sure to have a wedding to celebrate sooner than later," she answered. "After all, Miss Lestrange is blessed with so many of the graces our society values—a benefit, I daresay, of a Pendergast education."

The precise sort of education Antigone had never been afforded.