Cuthbert leant back in his seat, sipping at his wine. "I won't ask any further," he assured her lightly, smiling. "You looked a vision earlier, by the way, and no less so now. I couldn't be happier for him." That, at least, was sincere. He might sometimes be something of a clown, but he was sharp too. "You're good for him. I'll say it, since he won't."

Roland kicked him again, and Cuthbert pulled back a little, looking rather affronted. "If you're not going to talk to your wife, Ro', at least let me do it without bruising my ankle!"