Quite, I'm afraid. [ He looked so taken back by that. She bites her lip on another bit of laughter. ] I wasn't sure, to start with. I didn't know how would be right for your own people. But the - ah, the Komarran women, about how to approach you and they said 'any usual way'.

[ Which wasn't the most helpful, in hindsight. ] Then Miles told me you would not have the faintest idea if I did not become direct with you. [ And she shifts, her invitation that he should be allowed to look she thinks is made, her hand slides out from underneath her, lowering herself down, her legs uncurl against the sheets. Let him look. Dear God, give her just one indication as to whether she had made a fool of herself or not. The faint chime of the belled anklets, the rustle of material and she sighs a little. ] So I did.