‘No, for you are not at all red.’
He smiled and leaned a little forward. ‘I have been learning all manner of things about you, Miss Landon. The neighbourhood has a great deal to say, since the ball. For instance, you are a terrific seamstress! Is my information correct?’
‘I cannot agree with the term chosen; modesty forbids it, you know, and there can be no more awful prospect than an immodest young woman. But I do sew a great deal.’
He nodded wisely. ‘By which I understand you to mean that you are a terrific seamstress, and you are also very dutiful as regards the expectations of society.’
‘Not very dutiful. Society places so many and varied demands upon a person; it would be far too tiring to keep up with them all.’
‘Oh, quite! I am exhausted with it myself. For instance, I should l
