Biffy dressed himself up in his most put-upon expression, daring Lyall to comment on the sort of terrible things he put up with in the man's absence. It was all in jest, of course. Biffy could understand Daine's indifference, if only in the purely academic way one understood Ivy Tunstell's fascination for terrible hats (and for which reason he was grateful that Daine's preferences ran to the blasé and not to mad hattery). She was a shapeshifter prone to taking many shapes and sizes. Biffy had lost more than a few good cravats to his own trials, so he supposed he could understand.

"At least the dragon will like it if I bring home some fripperies," he said, smiling at Kitten.

To Lyall, Biffy said, "I'll accompany you, if you like." He had avoided the Bramford for some time now but if there was ever a reason to march proudly back there, it was Randolph.