Anna's face lit up with a genuinely pleased smile. "Oh, of course, Mr. Burnbridge," she said with a airy wave of her hand. "I would be delighted!" She paused and smiled sadly. "Though I'm afraid it's Mrs. Manzoni. I-" she stopped and continued hurriedly as if to brush by a painful topic. She would be too happy to elaborate but it was more genteel to refrain from further explanations, really, and emotions were so tiring.
"Lemon and mint sounds heavenly. A lovely reminder of... Italy." She glanced outside at the lovely English day and shook her head as if to clear her thoughts of sad memories and turned to Mr Burnbridge- whose name was a bit more familiar than his face. Burnbridge, what a name! She couldn't think where she would have heard it before.
"And as a member of the law, perhaps you can inform me on the more serious happenings I've misssed. Eight years away and all anyone sends are letters about the fashions and the length of sleeves and who wore what ribbons."