"I'm not exactly one to kiss and tell, as it were, in any event. And my friend Oswald Bastable once wrote of me that I am not an easy woman to comfort." Dear Oswald and his Edwardian sensibilities...

And then she laughed. "Thank you. That's an offer I'll absolutely keep in mind." She stroked the back of Starbuck's hand lightly, not entirely conscious of the action as she did so.