Now her curiosity was truly piqued. He seemed jovial about the matter, whatever it was, which prevented her from asking if anything was the matter. She followed to the office and glanced back at the door once to see whether he intended to close it. It appeared not — but then what was the point of asking her back to the office in the first place? What matter needed as much privacy as could be afforded by standing in a room with an open door that would not benefit from more? Perhaps he had her reputation in mind, which was gallant she supposed. She had more or less given it up after the resolution of the Lachlan MacFusty incident; as long as she did not become so infamous that her mother stopped receiving invitations as a result, she didn't mind what people thought of her. Taking a job as a secretary was another component of that; it was hardly an illustrious position, and it left her in near-ish proximity to men most of her days, though admittedly not so frequently in total privacy.

"Now don't keep me in suspense a moment longer, Mr. Ainsworth," she scolded lightly. "You must admit this is highly irregular, and if you don't tell me what you're about my mind will jump to a hundred conclusions in the next minute."

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