A woman of society alone and about in the early hours of the morning, even if married, was an unusual thing, and Fitz's eyebrows arched in genuine surprise. The conspiracy of the way Miss Gallivan said it set gooseflesh on the back of his neck.

"I cannot think," the wizard returned in equally hushed tones, "that your brother is particularly fond of such a habit. I know I would discourage such a thing in my sisters, even though married."

Or widowed, but. Even though the words were somewhat admonishing, Fitzroy's tone was not.