There were big questions looming, and Noble knew that if he didn't bring them up, she never would. He swallowed to bolster his courage, then said, "This is a lot, right now — but I would like to settle my career enough to do things the right way. With you."

He was going to be a potioneer, that much was settled — and as long as he was a good one, he'd be able to marry younger than other middle class men.