[ Jarvis' smile is a little more understated, the expression there and then gone. (He doesn't mention that he'll have to find some way of explaining this to Anna because they both already know it; he had only meant to be gone a short while, not the bulk of the night, and heaven knows he's a dedicated husband, if not — by necessity — a completely forthright one.

The ring that he wears is simple, not made by the finest of jewelers but lovingly worn, its provenance less important than the woman that it binds him to.) ]

I suppose you're right, [ he concedes, ] on the count of our present company, at least. As to the matter of participating in tonight's festivities, I have had the pleasure of assisting our aforementioned mutual friend both at philanthropic auctions and in acquiring a few pieces of rather rare art. Again, there is a difference between unpatented war machines and dinner with a Hollywood starlet, but— bidding is based solely in good instinct and good sense, both of which I am happy to say you possess in spades.

[ A beat, and then: ] Do you think there'll be much trouble, regardless? I imagine that even after the money exchanges hands, there will be a few bidders unwilling to accept a defeat.