This was not part of our agreement.

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Naturally… This has nothing to do with our agreement.

S.

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See me.

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I cannot, and we should not.

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I wasn't asking.

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And you think I will obey?
There’s too much at stake.

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There's too much at stake for you?

That child could end my marriage. The ensuing scandal could derail my tenure as Minister, foil all my aspirations. This could be the domino that falls and results in women's suffrage being blocked another twenty years. That child could threaten the estate that has been in my family for generations. You told me you would be out of the country. I took you at your word. I took you at your word and did not take action to handle this differently — I hope you don't intend to make me regret it.

You should also keep in mind that you do not hold all the cards in this situation. I have a controlling interest in your ballet. I don't want to make threats... but trust that if I am forced to do so they will not be empty ones.

Meet me.

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This baby did not fuss. He had big, brown eyes, and already a headful of dark hair, and was quieter than a mouse. More than once Sophia would come find him in his bassinet in panic, and put her hand on his back to make sure he still breathed. One of Gus’s close friends, a healer, assured them that he was in perfect health.

The infant watched her now, with those oddly perceptive eyes of his, as she whisked away a hot tear from her cheek. “My darling boy,” she sighed, and leaned down to take him into her arms. The letter sat like a viper on her desk, and she eyed it warily. “Look here, your father has sent you a gift.”

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I understand your circumstances, and I can even bring myself to sympathize with them, but I cannot accept your threats. I disappeared before my circumstances became obvious, as we agreed. And now I’ve returned with every intention to take Mister Lissington’s hand. He has been a great comfort during these difficult times, and he promises stability for me and my children. Now I have as much vested interest as you in preserving the reputation of my growing family. In the end, it seems to me that you have all you want.

Even if I agreed to meet – to what end?

Sophia

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I have questions I want answered and won't commit to parchment. You owe me some explanations.

I only want to talk, on my honor — and given that I have been upholding my end of the bargain meticulously since we last spoke, my honor ought to be a sufficient safeguard.

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