The icy grip of panic had settled in his stomach the moment Kons had realised what he had inadvertently let slip and that it would go against the core of him to lie and deny the truth of it. He did like Miss Evans and it was past time he found himself a suitable wife – admittedly he was getting a little ahead of himself with that notion and he had hardly picked out the wedding china, but for a man in his position it was never too far from his thoughts.

Finding a young lady to be his partner in the world had long been his mission but Konstantin had never expected to meet one that made him feel quite so aflutter. Miss Evans – Amelia – was a spanner in the works really and without knowing it she had become someone he truly looked forward to seeing. His insides did a little leap whenever they met and he wondered if this was how Balt had felt when he met Miss Lovegood. Not that their relationship was one he wanted to emulate… perhaps Ross and Roslyn? Ari seemed mostly indifferent to his lovely wife and Julian picked up fiancés like a rolling stone, disposing of them as easily as moss. Merlin, it was just as well he was able to be an adult about his regard for Miss Evans as he certainly didn’t have anybody to ask about it!

“I…” he began, ever so adultly.

Miss Evans didn’t seem particularly keen. Perhaps he really was barking up the wrong tree? She hadn’t struck him as a flirt or as a young lady who strung men along for her own amusement, so surely she must have some notion of why one meeting had led to so many others?

“I’m sorry if I have offended you Miss Evans,” he said, a little more tightly. He felt foolish and shut his eyes for a moment, gathering his wits, finally speaking a little more softly. “But I believe you heard me perfectly well.”