"Oh, don't be too disappointed in me," he returned with spirit. "If you're looking for a penpal, I'll let you send me letters even if I'm not exiled anywhere." He was teasing but it occurred to him that perhaps they should start writing letters. It would be a good show of his dedication to following through on his intentions, and perhaps they could get away with a little more frankness in letters than could be allowed in a chaperoned parlor (even if her chaperone was not paying a good deal of attention). He wanted to get through all of the particulars and ensure they were on the same page about the logistics moving forward, but he was aware that going through it all point by point as if checking boxes off a list could not be considered very romantic. He wondered if she would mind — did she have expectations of grand romance, or only of mutual affection? If she was hoping that their kiss would have transformed him into a veritable Romeo moving forward, she was bound to be disappointed. She seemed to like him well enough without his having to put on airs and pretend, though, so maybe she wouldn't expect so much frippery.

"I'm afraid I simply don't have time to become a criminal, however dashing it might make me. I have to be at the hospital on Monday morning," he continued playfully. "And I think it might worry my mother, besides. I daresay mothers have a different opinion of the impact a criminal record might have on a gentleman's reputation than a young lady does."

---