More relaxed after several glasses of wine, pleasantly full and strangely content, her mouth quirked in a small smile. “So am I.”

“Why did you do it?”

“Lord knows; it was a long time ago.”

“I tore the city apart looking for you.”

“Because you don’t like to lose.”

He grimaced. “Maybe… or maybe I needed you.”

“You never need anyone for long, Simon. I was just more practical than you.” Her brows rose in derision. “Surely you’re not going to tell me you’ve pined for me in my absence.”

He didn’t answer for a moment and she said, “There. You see? Consider what would have happened if we had married five years ago. You would have been unfaithful within a fortnight; we would have quarreled incessantly and both of us would have been abjectly miserable.”

“Maybe.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Fortunately we didn’t marry on such wavering ambiguity.”

“And yet your marriage failed.”

“Louvois found a rich woman.”

The umbrage vanished from his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“It turned out for the best. She was French like Louvois and I discovered in my travels on the Continent that I was more English than I thought. I was pleased to return home.”

“Did he leave you funds?” Aware of Caroline’s family background, Simon’s concern was genuine.

“I’m managing very well, thank you.”

“Should you ever be in need…”

“I’m not-really.”

“You’re sure?” He took in her unfashionable gown, her lack of jewelry, and recalled her red cape that had been out of style these many years.

“I’m sure. You have no need to care for me.”

“But I may wish to.”

“Sorry, Simon. You relinquished that opportunity years ago.”

“I was mistaken,” he said softly.

She made a small moue and waved her hand in the direction of the wine. “Pour us both another glass and desist from talking nonsense. I’m not some young ingénue you can charm. I know you too well. And I’m not the same woman you were acquainted with five years ago. Let’s simply enjoy a convivial evening and forgo any undue sentiment. I find of late, I prefer less emotion in my life.”