It was a passable excuse but Harriet had no doubt that it was just that. The memory came far too smoothly for her to believe it was genuine but she let the matter rest. Merlin knew it was the least objectionable thing about him this morning.

“I would suggest a cold bath before you join me downstairs dear,” she said, sweeping to her feet, deigning to give him some privacy. “And we’ll see who was worth remarking on over breakfast.”

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