"Indeed. A mother like that is awful hard to come by." There it is, that flush again, and Silver's firm on the notion that Benedict just might be the most attractive person he's ever seen. He's got a boyish charm to him, innocent but curious, refined without being off-putting. His smile is perfectly imperfect.

"At least, I was under the impression it's rare for a family in your social standing to care."

Was that overstepping?

It probably was. Silver occupies himself with adding the spices he's brought to hide his hesitation.