Since Seraphina had become acquainted with Mr. Devine more intimately, she had found Calliope’s question occupying her mind quite a bit. Like a tidbit of a memory one could sketch an outline of but lost focus when thought about. The only reason she had come to stick on was that he must have felt, in the beginning at least, that she was someone to be pitied. Then he was drawn in until it would have been too late to turn away. Too much a scandal, and he was too much of a gentleman to go back on his promises. So it must be that Mrs. Devine had ensnared him. “Indeed, I believe she played to her past to ensure his sympathies, even, perhaps, his pity. I suspect she pressed the case until he yielded. He must have felt some sort of responsibility toward her once her own affections became known. I’ve heard he is quite the gentleman in such instances.” Seraphina’s tone was carefully affected to imitate a light careless gossip. No need to alert anyone to her true feelings on the matter.

“But to think, shackling yourself to someone simply out of a mistake pride.” She shook her head in disbelief as she took a sip of tea. “I should think there would be something more to it…” Seraphina trailed off pointly. But that was the thing there was no sign of an heir on the way. Aware of her friend’s relation to their source of topic Seraphina left the blank hanging in the air between them. Perhaps Calliope was more aware of the circumstances then she had let on.