Good, they have an accord: no fits of apoplexy. Annoyed at the slip, Elizabeth quickly gets herself under control and straightens until she looks in danger of snapping in two.

"I understand the mechanics," she says stiffly, then frowns down at her hands. "That doesn't concern me.

"But what should I do if he's not interested?"

Lilly hadn't thought it would be a problem, but then it had been. Even though things are vastly different now, Elizabeth feels compelled to ask anyway.