Mabel caught her husband's eye halfway down the stairs. One of the maids hurried past her, twittering about Lady Georgiana's something or other.

"We have to leave this instant if we don't want to be late to Her Ladyship's wedding!"

Mrs. Parrish's voice drowned out the excited chatter in the foyer. The normally soft-spoken housekeeper appeared to have a particular bee in her bonnet this morning. Mabel descended the last stairs, stepping into the arm extended for her. Her husband inconspicuously wrapped his arm around her waist, and she felt his fingers through her corset, just resting on her stomach. He angled his mouth down towards her ear.

"You look incredible in that, Mrs. Barnes."

Just as he knew would happen, Mabel's cheeks lit in a deep scarlet flush. She didn't have to look to see that boyish grin that spread across his face. She discreetly pinched his fingers in her left hand and uncoiled his arm from from her waist, moving it into the proper position so that she could slip her arm through the crook of his elbow. She gave his forearm a light swat.

"Behave yourself, Mr. Barnes," she murmured below her breath, at which he chuckled. "I know that you've seen me in this dress before. More than once, in fact."

"Yes, Mrs. Barnes, I have in fact. But that was before I was your husband."

He caught her eye once more, and Mabel couldn't help the small smile that spread on her lips.