Marie had never in her entire life been a shrinking violet or any other type of nonsensical woman. She took things seriously as was needed and dealt with the things that needed dealt with. These days, that meant doing without the team of servants who would normally maintain a house of this size, and it also meant trying to earn her own income because no, she had no plans to remarry simply to have the financial support of a man.

"It's lovely to meet you, Steve," she said with another amused and slightly charmed smile, adding the sugar he'd requested to his tea. "My name is Marie LeBeau, and please do call me Marie." Setting the cup and saucer on the closest spot of the table to him, she added, "Two sugars."