Another sip of her wine — the glass was already nearly half gone — and Verity returned it to the table once more, this time determined not to take another drink until their food had arrived. She was never the sort to indulge much at Society events, leaving her susceptible to becoming tipsy at too quickly a rate. (In fact, ever since September Verity hadn't had more than half a glass of wine so that she would never be caught unaware again.)

"We shall persevere until you have a rudimentary understanding at the very least," she replied. Verity thought to suggest they host joint dinner parties so that she might assist him in real time, but that seemed too questionable given his proclivities.

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