"But!" She began, another argument on the tip of her tongue. His expression halted everything once she turned back into face him, her cheeks flushed.

Singapore.

Her heart fell, and she slowly sank onto the chaise at the fire. Singapore. She had told him that her family had more than sealed the envelope for her one-way ticket to see her relatives. Well, this is what she wanted him to do, wasn't it? So why was she so adamant about sticking to the rules of society now? She certainly hadn't where blissful, stolen nights of their youth were concerned.

Because she wanted to do this properly - she wanted her family to be proud of her accomplishments. Diana knew her mother would have her concerns about her being involved with someone who was involved in sports. But it wasn't a disrespectful career for a man of leisure like Will. And though he had been a flirt with her in the beginning, his advances were far from lascivious; and besides, she'd flirted right back.

Merlin, she wanted to reach out to him; fall into his arms. He wanted her. Wasn't this what she always wanted? For him to tell her all of this, all this time they'd circled each other in Society? She fixed him in her gaze, her hands laced firmly in her lap. "Why now, Will?" she implored, her gaze darting to the door. They didn't have much time until Wellington came back with the tea. But she had to know.

She stood up again. "We've known each other for so long..." Unable to help herself, she reached out a gloved hand to him, placing her palm on his cheek.