The flush was now in full force; Clem reckoned she must be a lovely shade of beet red.

"Noble!" she whisper-hissed, all efforts at playing it cool falling away entirely. "Someone will hear you!"

Oh Merlin, what if it was Mama—or worse, Grace. Clementine was not sure which prospect was worse: her mother discussing such things to her, or having to explain to Grace what she and Noble had been talking about.

So much for being worldly.