The scenic route. Once they were in the staircase, Seraphina really felt as if they had a private space — especially because this was his house, and everyone in it was likely to have more discretion than the servants in her house. She smiled crookedly as he complimented her earrings, and was doing her best to say something quippy, but then his lips were on her neck and Sera could only exhale her delight. She reached one hand out to wrap around his lapels.

"You're being sweet," Seraphina accused, although her tone betrayed that she was delighted with him.