The whole world at her feet. It would be what the character would want. Freedom to be who she wanted to be. And all it would mean would be a painless death the moment she became aliabilityto Moriarty. “Ten years.”
“Hm?” He seemed half lost in the bliss of it still.
“A guarantee of a minimum ten years before I am dead at your hands.” She let her chemise fall back down to her ankles. At least he hadn’t tried to take her corset off. That would’ve been a pain in the ass to get back on. “I would hate to say yes and find myself dead in the morning.”
He paused in redoing his pants. “Six.”
“Eight.”
“Granted.” He held out his hand to her. “Forgive me for not having a ring prepared. This was all quite unexpected.”
She shook his hand. “Forgiven, if you will also promise me one other thing.”
“And what is that?”
“You will look at me as a partner, not merely a wife, when you can.” Reaching out, she smoothed his clothes for him. “I understand that it will not always be suitable to do so.”
He stepped forward and kissed her unexpectedly, drawing her into an embrace. When he released her, he was smiling, just a little. “I see why you perplex him so. Granted. Now. Let us redress you. The evening’s entertainment is about to begin.”
I’m sorry, Sidney. For more things than one.
