"I can undress myself the rest of the way," she laughs, sweeping past him to the room-dividing bookcases she'd changed behind earlier. There is a rustle of silken skirts as the gown falls, followed by the quiet shush of softest cashmere over her skin.

Her feet go back in her flats and her hands are busy repinning her chignon as she emerges.

"Why, were you going to offer to be my lady's maid?"