Will was rarely the most eloquent man in the room, but he had thought (however minimally) given the circumstances she might agree to it. When had they ever followed the proper way of doing things? Not while they were in school. Certainly not during her first Season (Will hadn't been able to stay away from her then). There was hardly any propriety left to maintain when he knew what it was to have her lips against his own.

A frustrated frown settled upon his face. How was he to convince her when she was so deeply rooted in her opinions? Hell, she hadn't even allowed him to hold her hand for more than a minute! "Forget how it's done. Just for a moment, please." He pleaded quietly, fully aware of how little time alone they had left. Soon, Mrs. Wellington would be seated across from him as she had on the train with a glare as cold as ice. Soon — too soon — Will would be asked to leave.

"Forget Society and the rules. I will leap through whatever hoops you set out for me. I'll ask your father, I'll even follow you to Singapore if that's what it takes. If you'll have me, that is." Just because he didn't presently have business interests in Singapore didn't mean he couldn't acquire any. Such business would take months to fully establish, too. Months in which he could convince Diana he meant it this time. "We can call it courting or whatever other title you want. You just have to say yes."