For a moment, all Elsie could focus on was the quiet of the room, the only sound their steady breathing in the air of unasked questions and their missing answers. It seemed ridiculous, their entire situation and maybe they were trying to run a fool's errand, but she had to keep trying. Elsie really would rather not marry at all than to wed anyone other than Tyb. It wouldn't be easy and may have seemed unlikely, but she had to have some faith they could manage to work this out.

She'd been so lost in her thoughts that when he spoke again, it took her a moment to register what it was he said. The real answer, of course was no, but expressing it correctly was key and she had yet to figure out how to do that. Turning Mr. Adlard down and hoping her parents didn't hear was the plan, but she hadn't any idea how solid or realistic it was.

Nodding in agreement, Elsie leaned her head to rest on his shoulder. She sighed softly and mulled over his last question. Truthfully she didn't know how her parents would react, but she suspected her mother would be... displeased, though her father was harder to tell. Would they really be surprised? Would they be legitimately angry? Would they try to change her mind? What could she possibly say to them without giving everything away?

"I don't know. Mother might be angry... I can't tell about Father. He's not home right now anyway..." But if her mother found out, he certainly would too. "If I say no though, it's not like they'll be able to make me change my mind." Of that she was certain. Not to mention Mr. Adlard would hardly want to pursue the offer after she'd already declined...