She seemed a little tense, which he supposed he should have expected given the nearness of her own ball. He'd hoped going to the masquerade tonight would put her mind at ease a little, but maybe not.

"Well, not just like tonight," he said, tone still light and teasing. He crossed to the wall opposite the door and leaned against it, crossing his arms loosely over his chest. "We didn't arrange for five scenery changes. I hope you won't be disappointed?"

This was the sort of joke he could make to Grace, but not to Verity, because Verity actually might have been.