"Never together," she said, almost rueful. It didn't sound like a fantastic combination, but she'd gotten into cocktails since Waking. Sera accepted the glass of wine; she noted that the Minister's brother had a very generous hand while pouring. Well, as long as she wasn't too in her cups to help the governess corral her children later, it wouldn't matter.

She grinned at his cheekiness. "If I do abandon you you'll simply have to remember to bring a white-on-ice next time," she said, "And I am certain someone will crash a boat — honestly, it would have been me if I'd remembered to sign up sooner."