She watched enthralled as her returned her affectionate squeeze and followed, starry eyed as he pressed her hand to his lips. She let out a long sigh, and a noise of complete relief. Her face broke, a gasping expression that was half sob, half laugh as she setteled into a broad warm smile. Courting was not an exclusive affair, more of an indication of 'short listing' from the entire ton to a select few, and yet it meant the world to her. More than she could say. His expression, as effusive as he was in his speech she had heard it was typical of gentlemen to be effusive in their praise and flattery when asking questions like this. It wasn't false, it was jsut expected and it would be too much to hope that of all the ladies of his acquaintance, with the various Miss Malfoys on offer that she could hope to win him.

She wondered if he knew how charming he was, how his attentions would make her the envy of the ton, and how she would owe Poppy everything for offering her this chance of happiness. 'It is I who would be honoured by your consideration' she smiled, she wasn't sure if it would be enough to put off her aunt now that matters were set and the match maker paid. But she supposed it would not hurt, even if only to allow herself to enjoy this time with him, until he either made his decision or her time ran out.

She covered his hand, already holding her own and met his gaze. There was still much she couldn't say, much that society and propriety would forbid her from saying, and just reveled in the intimacy of this moment, the strains of opera filling the air, their hands clasped together.

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