Marietta offered him a small smirk. "Anyone who is stupid enough to dote on you has obviously lost her senses—or expecting an exchange rate in galleons." She picked up her drink and took a sip before replying, "If I had known she was as uncomfortable there as you I would have invited her as well. No matter, we're much better company than you anyhow."
Marietta shrugged. "I can't say I rightly blame you. If it were my own father, I don't know how I'd feel either." She never cared much for her own father either, mostly because he never cared for her. It was difficult to love someone who never wanted you to begin with. But that was past and Marietta wasn't going to prattle on about it, nor was she going to talk about it with Zacharias either.
Marietta leaned forward over the table when she spoke next, as though she were truly planning to murder people and didn't want anyone to overhear. "So, not Granger next? Who then? I have a very long list and I certainly wouldn't mind coordinating with you if you could knock off a few of them for me in the process. I've already given away who's at the top of my list, of course."