Ford smiled again at Tycho's remark. This was the most he'd been smiling since — he didn't even know when. This month had certainly been glum, given the disappearances generally and the absence of Tycho specifically. He'd been in low spirits in January between the recent breakup and his lingering uncertainty about Verity's wedding. November and December had been dominated by the growing sense of dread over his relationship with Macnair. The latter half of September had been dominated by the aftermath of Verity's kidnapping, and the news about Mrs. Macnair's pregnancy. This might have been the most Ford had smiled at once since the social season.

"I'll stay out of your way in the kitchen," he joked, as they approached the door. "I'm glad you're back."

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