"This is where it stretches my disbelief, too." Ducky shakes her head. "I can't imagine Honoria Crabb, who tore into myself and Mimley for making pawns of people who thought they were our friends, describing me as any sort of shining light. She's always been perturbed by my predilection for dishonest methods and means."

A cup of tea is set before Erin, and Ducky doesn't look at either woman in the room as she delivers it.

"I can believe she admires my skill for strategy, but if either of us is a light in this world, it's Crabb."