Thread: Secrets and Lies (Sync & Mali)

Even hearing himself utter the words asking her permission, Reggie was having difficulty understanding his own motives. Was he truly that desperate to find a partner truthfully, a wife by the end of the year that hed ask the first eligible woman he met? How forward did he want to be hed met her scant two hours ago, had spoken to her for maybe thirty minutes of that time, and was already seeking to see her again? The surprise in her voice, on her face, was very understandable. Yet there was some ready acceptance on her part, too, and that in itself served to confirm in some small way her own situation. Yet he recognised a lack of wisdom in his question to her. No, your shock is perfectly understandable, Reggie agreed in a measured tone, not wanting to sound too fast and stupid as he was now feeling. While I am quite grateful and, indeed, thankful that you have given the permission I sought, I must apologise for my forwardness in asking. It wassomewhat unseemly of me to ask to see you again when we barely know each other. He could not tell her that circumstances placed upon him almost demanded he move quickly, even though she surely must, by now, suspect he had such a need to not delay. Still, he was starting to recognise that his father, at least, may have been correct the presence of a woman in his life was helping him to not be soimproperas he was given to being. The impending loss of inheritance was a strong motivator, it was surely true, but just the presence of a lady made some part of him want to mind his behaviour. It was a strange realisation. Yet he was quite aware that there were few such ladies in the region he could call upon with any surety of a reasonable conversation that might lead to anything other than snorts of derision while this Miss Strathmore was receptive to his presence, he would be many kinds of fool to ignore her presence and company. The smile shed favoured him with just then a smile that lit her eyes made him decide that she would bear closer scrutiny as a possible wife, even if his own motivations were rather selfish. Having said all that, I do acknowledge your permission to call upon you at my pleasure, he continued quietly. I do not believe I should be so presumptuous as to take you upon your literal word, as I am sure that some members of your family might raise objection should I arrive unannounced. If it pleases you, I might perhaps suggest that I call upon you the day after tomorrow? In asking that, would it be improper of me to ask to meet at your home, that your family might, perchance, see some worth in me? To his own ears he soundeda bit too formal, like he was trying to negotiate a business contract. Which he was, in a way, although the arrangement he was trying to negotiate was less business-oriented and more family-oriented. There would be considerations to make on both sides he knew his mother would have fits when she found he was calling on Miss Elsa Strathmore true, if they continued to meet, there would likely be no end to the suffering shed impose upon him when it became Elsas turn to visit his family. Such things would have to wait, however there was this first meeting to consider, after all.