1878 — A Ball, London

Her hands in his.

Nose to nose, their breaths mingling together as they did not quite kiss.

Here, in an alcove shielded from view, a brief moment to relish one another before returning to the pagentry of society and the limitations set upon them by his father. At one-and-thirty, Robin supposed, he really ought to know better. To think that Ziya could have captured his heart so fully, become a part of him so completely that the thought of being without her was an anathema to him.

Robin had wondered, once, if it wouldn't be easier to let their moments like this be witnessed. If he thought his father would allow him to do the honorable thing in such a situation, he might have done it, might have asked Ziya if she was willing to brave the scandal alongside him in exchange for the outcome—matrimony—that polite society would demand from them. But his father...

Still, after three decades of living for the family, the wizard was resolved that he wanted now to live his life for her, for them.

"Run away with me," he whispered.

Ziya Burroughs/Daffodil Grimstone

  

---

— set by mj —

It had been a long night of tiptoeing around the room, stealing glances, not even daring to put his name on her dance card. Zi longed to feel his hand in hers, to feel his warmth against her, but she knew they were treading dangerous waters and she couldn't even let her gaze linger for too long, let alone get her hands on him. It was hard to enjoy herself fully, to pretend like everything was okay when her whole world was across the dance floor in the arms of another woman, but Ziya had to keep her head held high and muddle through. She'd excused herself for a moment to the ladies rooms, thinking about feigning a headache to go home early when she'd been suddenly pulled from the hall, into an alcove by a set of all-too-familiar arms.

Ziya could almost tell herself that the moments like this, lost in one another, could keep her satiated. Wishing they could abscond with duty and expectations and just live could only carry her so far. It was a hallowing experience though, to try and sustain her hope when they got so little time like this.

She took the time to just breathe him in, trying to memorize a new detail on his face and the smell of his cologne, anything to keep with her in his absence. The last thing she expected was for him to put to words her deepest desire, and the whispered request sent goosebumps erupting along her flushed skin. "Truly?" She leaned back to look at him better, eyes searching his desperately.

---

  

---

"I cannot give you a wedding," he acknowledged. Robin had looked at the matter from every direction, and it seemed an impossibility. A braver man might have done it, a bolder man, but privately, Robert Rowle knew his own limitations. "But I can give you a marriage, if you will have me."

She deserved more—the sun, the moon, and the sky in which they hung. This, though, this was within Robin's power to give. A small but heartfelt offering to the woman who had swiftly stolen his heart.

"We can live here, go to Canada, live with the tribes in Africa, I care not—so long as we are together, and you are my wife. Nothing would bring me greater joy."

Ziya Burroughs/Daffodil Grimstone

  

---

— set by mj —

Ziya liked to think she did not need much in life. A big fancy wedding was not on the agenda when she wasn't even sure they could marry, so it was no true loss to her. Still, this was risky and as much as she wanted to smile and agree without hesitation, she was not without reservation. What would he truly be giving up for her? Zi did not want him to have to throw all of his hard work away for their happy ending.

"Nothing would make me happier." She agreed, with a soft smile now, though her brow furrowed slightly. "But are you sure?" She had nothing to lose, would traipse across the continents and oceans wherever it was he wanted to go; but he had to truly want it. They couldn't do half-hearted. "You have so much more at stake," Ziya did not want him to think she was opposed, quite the opposite, she wanted to be enthusiastic and carefree about this, but she was still leery.

---

  

---

As usual, she was not wrong. Robin had things to lose, should this go awry. Angering his father decidedly risked his inheritence but then, he had a good job, was on track for a better job; even if they were not wealthy, they would always be comfortable. His siblings, if his father cut him off not just financially, but from the family as a whole, but they were not close; he could sacrifice that for Ziya, if it came down to it.

And indeed, that was the alternative, the thing to be weighed. Was a lifetime with Ziya Bakshi worth more than all that?

"Yes," he smiled, "I am as certain as I am besotted with you. Miss Ziya Bakshi, I should like nothing more than to be married to you."

Ziya Burroughs/Daffodil Grimstone

  

---

— set by mj —

Though she had asked the question Zi felt like the answer took too long. It was worry for naught however, as he confirmed that his was what he wanted indeed. The smile that blossomed was genuine and full of love as she softened her gaze. "You have no idea how happy that makes me." She sighed as she moved one hand to his cheek. There would be trials surely, but Ziya knew without a doubt that if they remained devoted to one another, they could weather the storm. It would not be on her end that they would face disapproval, but his. He would be giving up so much, but Zi had to believe that they would be able to make it work. Financially they would be quite set, not what they were used to, but comfortable and socially well, it would take time for the dust to settle, but hopefully it would not be too gruesome.

So— "Yes, I will marry you." She agreed as she pressed her lips to his.

---

  

---

As her lips found his own, Robin found himself awash with images of their future together, their home, their children, their potential. It was not an easy road that they had chosen—his father would no doubt make sure of that—but they would walk it together, her strength bolstering him when his own faltered.

They would be together.

They would be happy.

  

---

— set by mj —