Harrow, meanwhile, slips into the bedroom and opens a dresser drawer.

She had had to put the request in writing because it was too embarrassing to say outloud even to a piece of wood, but she did ask for some more interesting underwear. Slightly more exciting. She changes out of her trousers and into a filmy black nightie that still covers a fair amount of surface area, but not as much as her usual full-coverage nightgowns.

She fidgets anxiously while Gideon finishes in the bathroom, and is on the way to the closet to chicken out when she emerges.