Mrs. Montgomery, as far as Gideon could see looked halfway between amused and appalled. "It's nice to meet you, dear," she said politely. She looked back over at Gideon. "Mr. Summerby, come and take this candle, instead of leaving me here standing vigil. And find a plate for it; don't want you burning down the whole building."
Ian gave in to the inevitable. Sometimes it was just easier to go with the flow. "Yes, Mrs. Montgomery," he said, taking the candle, leaving the two women to talk. Probably about him.
As he searched the dining room table for an appropriate plate by candlelight, his worries were confirmed when he heard Mrs. Montgomery say, "Now, you didn't really break up those nice boys, did you, dear?"