It felt as if she were awaiting judgement, those silent seconds that ticked by after her words. But she held herself rigid, refusing to let any iota of concern cross her features. She was stronger than she appeared, she echoed silently to herself. Strong enough to withstand whatever his next words were.

When Mr. Delaney began to move she froze, her breath halting as she watched him wondering what it was he intended. His warm hands clasped hers sending a thrill up her arms, he pulled her up the look on his face fierce with emotion. A hand slid behind her waist pulling her to him as a soft gasp escaped her lips. This was her answer then, this kiss that bound her to him, pulled her into him. Like the force of tide. Niminae didn’t resist she allowed it to sweep her up to pull her out to sea, answering his kiss with an intensity of her own, her arms wrapping around his waist, holding tight to him, giving him an answer that for once was stronger than her words.

  

Shawn let that fierce and passionate kiss move on for longer than was proper. Not that any of what was happening was proper. It didn't stop him from reveling in it all though. When her hands left his to wrap his waist, his still free hand moved up along her neck to cup her cheek while the other remained firmly around her waist. The kiss was more exhilarating than any voyage on a ship he'd ever experienced. And that was saying something.

But when he was near out of breath, he slowly pulled back. He didn't remove his hand from her waist, however, and still held her close against his own body still. He was loathe to break that bit of content, well aware of every bit of curve of hers pressed against his solid and muscled frame. "I can't promise you a life of grandeur or even riches really," he found himself saying, eyes searching her face as he spoke, "And there will be times I'm away for weeks at a time. The sea isn't always the most forgiving. But if you're willing to try and okay with such things, I'd like to see where this could go." Not that he didn't already have an inkling but the fact of how his life was could very well deter her from it.

---

  

Much too soon Mr. Delaney’s lips broke from their embrace of her own. His warm hand settled on her cheek. But he did not let go, holding her tight to him, his face showing his sincerity as the words tumbled over his lips.

She didn’t need a life of grandeur or wealth. Her current living situation was much below that of her own status of life, with few frills to accompany it. Besides, there was her own modest income from her books that could always be used. Nor did she need constant company, so use to the life of solitude that she had so long lived.

“I should like that very much.” Nimiane told him, her eyes echoing his fierceness as her quiet words sealed her fate. A smile broke across her lips at her admission, spreading across her face to show him she was okay with everything he had said. Her hand reached up and cupped his cheek. She would not question his motives nor his reasons for it felt right, potion or no. If he had not wanted to stay and try she knew he would not have. No, he was here with her and that was answer enough to quell her doubts.

  

Shawn smiled down at her, a small smile but one nonetheless. He may be a bit of a stoic man that hardly showed emotions but there was enough there to let her know and see he was happy with her response. He hadn't really expected her to be one to want for such things but he'd wanted to make sure she knew what she was getting into if they should continue going down such a path.

He ran a rough thumb against the soft skin of her cheek before kissing her softly and briefly. "I suppose I should probably speak with your family to make it official then?" he asked, not entirely sure how best to go about it all or how his presence would even be taken. He was an American, after all, and it seemed that the reputation of being one would like precede him.

---

  

His kiss still sent shivers tingling down her spine, regardless of how it was much too short. But it was sweet, almost promise. She leaned into him, enjoying his smell and warmth. Her heart leaping at each reminder of his touch, however, brief or lingering it was.

It had been a long time she had considered her family in such matters and as such his words caught her off guard. Yes, the proper thing to do would be to have him speak to her family. Years ago they would not have approved of such a match, now she hardly thought they’d care. Any man was better than leaving her a disgraced spinster in their eyes. Or at least she rather hoped that was the case. If it wasn’t… well she had not lived up to their expectations of her life nor would she begin to. Regardless of what they said she already knew what her path would be. “Yes.” She told him with a softer smile. Her face grew more serious as she added, “Although I doubt I shall care for their permission.”

  

Shawn nodded at her initial yes. He wasn't sure how a meeting would go over but her follow up remark had him chuckling. He liked that. He shouldn't, he knew they should respect the wishes of her family, but it was evident that she'd lived her life her own way for some time. And that was something he could appreciate. If nothing else, it would result in there never being a dull or boring moment between them.

"Perhaps over dinner sometime then?" he asked, the hesitation evident as he wasn't quite sure how it would be best to go about it. Surely she'd know though, especially in regard to what would be best with her family.

---

  

Dinner. The thought of a formal dinner was still daunting to her, bred from years of etiquette lessons and quiet conversation barely uttered over the clink of silverware on the plates. Her brother would object surely if invited to such an affair. Yet her father was more indulging, if only for the sake of the memory of her late mother. He might simply find happiness in the fact that she actually had a suitor. “Perhaps calling on my father when he is alone is a better option.” She answered him honestly. “I could go with you.” If her father could see her happiness, see that this was what she wanted surely he would be more amiable to this new change in her life. It was rather a great deal different than wishing to remove herself from the social circle or settle into a home of her own secluded in a town where magic was very little.