"Yes," she whispered.
"What was that? I'm not sure I heard…"
"Yes, you impossible man. Yes, I'll wed you and cause scandal and probably ruin your life in a dozen different ways."
"You'll improve my life in a hundred different ways," he corrected, sliding the ring onto her finger before she could change her mind. "Starting with making me actually want to live it again."
He stood, pulling her into his arms, and kissed her with all the desperate passion they'd been suppressing for weeks. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing hard and Clara's careful hairstyle had been thoroughly destroyed.
"We should go inside," she said, though she made no move to leave his arms. "It's cold."
"I'm not cold."
"Gabriel…"
"We are now betrothed. Surely that allows for some additional liberties?"
"We were sharing a bed before we were betrothed. I'm not sure what additional liberties you think are available."
"I can think of several."
"I'm sure you can, but perhaps we should actually plan our matrimonial ceremony before you start expanding the boundaries of propriety even further."
"How soon can we wed?"
"Well, there are banns to be read, arrangements to make…"
"Or we could elope to Scotland tonight."
"Absolutely not. We've caused enough scandal for one day."
"Tomorrow then?"
"Gabriel."
"Next week?"
"We'll do this properly. Three weeks for the banns, an intimate ceremony…”
"Three weeks? Clara, I've been in agony for the past fortnight sharing your bed and maintaining boundaries. I'm not sure I can survive three more weeks."
"You survived so many years without me, a few more weeks shan’t cause you much despair.”
"That's different. I didn't know what I was missing then. Now I do, and the knowledge is killing me."
Clara pulled back slightly to look at him. "Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"
"I'm suggesting that a betrothal is traditionally a time when certain... anticipations of matrimony might be explored."
"Anticipations?"
"Expectations?"
"Gabriel…"
"We are to be wedded, Clara. The boundaries we set were to prevent consequences if you left. You're not leaving now. You're staying. Forever. So perhaps we could renegotiate…"
She kissed him to stop the flow of words, and when she pulled back, his eyes were dark with desire.
