"Yes, mother. She's Italian you know." Mary frowned. "You don't like the dress?" she asked as she took his arm. "I am walking properly, Mr Gray, in case you haven't seen it done before." She shot him a faintly suspicious look. "Hose? Ian, I haven't passed as any sort of boy for a good six years. What on earth would you be needing as a favor?"
At the mention of that particular party, Mary looked away. "I do apologize, Ian. My-- Mr Fisher was there and Ms Slater. Words were said... and then I got so ill again" she shrugged. "It's all very blurry. I thought you were there... Lady Stanton brought me to mother's and she had the doctor look after me for a bit. Now I'm Italian. Mariana Lidia dei patrizi Manzoni. A lovely name isn't it?"