“Of course, of course.” I almost stammered in my haste and rang the bell and gave my lordly orders. In a moment we were sipping at our glasses and my eyes were lost in hers.

“I do not know how to…” Caroline began. I asked if I should go upstairs to Adelaide. Not yet, she said, twisted her glass this way and that and finally let out a sigh. “If Bertha-forgive me, Harry-were here, she could be told. It is easier to tell a woman than a man. Adelaide is well in body-is not ill, I mean-but so depressed I know not how to comfort her.”

“You may tell me. Can you not tell me?” I touched her finger with my own, at which she smiled an angel smile.

“If I do not look at you, Harry-and you must forgive me if I do not-and if I say it quickly… Well… Her husband has not touched her ever. That is the truth of it. Please will you fill my glass again? I feel so embarrassed to have said, yet you are of her family, are you not?”

I could not rise quickly enough to do her bidding, but in my haste spilled a little on her skirt and blushed and stammered out apologies, rubbed with my hanky, felt her thigh beneath.

“Do not worry. I can change my dress. I brought my things, you see. Her husband has been gone this past week on some business. Never has he kissed her even on the mouth, you know!”

“Go on,” I said. I took my seat beside her on the sofa which itself was strange, for normally I would have taken, out of politeness, a slightly distant chair.

Caroline bit her lip-looked both amused and shy. “What you will think of me, I do not know, to speak like this,” she murmured. Daringly I took her hand, so warm, so slender and so finely boned, yet sensed a strength in it as well.

“Whatever you say it will be as if heaven itself had uttered words,” I said.

“Oh, Harry, really? Well, I told you, did I not. I mean he does not, never, not in bed or… Can you understand? I swear that in this moment she would receive no one but you. Will you not comfort her and put your arms about her? That is what she needs. A moment only. I, a mere woman, cannot provide the manly comfort of a male. A moment of repose, a few kind words perhaps to praise her-that is what she needs. Say that you will.”