Lakshmi just about wants to melt into the floor before she speaks again. Waiting, for something that at least would tell her that her wife was interested in her now that no one was watching them. A kiss, maybe lingering close. A touch. Something at all.

We need not. Her eyes look down, immediately retreating back. Oh. She didn't like her? That might... well, the rumours. She hadn't given them much thought until now. If she'd been... no, no Lakshmi had probably just made an utter fool of herself.

Better to just move on, pretending her cheeks weren't burning. "Thank-you. I will see you at dinner."