Jo wouldn’t have to worry much about his dedication to only her. The fact that he had pursued her this far spoke volumes for a man who generally only had cats for company. No, he would be loyal and incapable of explaining why he didn’t wish to be nudged in the direction of other women.

Zach just hoped they could make things work, even if it seemed the world and their own pursuits wished them to be separate. He could compromise if it only meant Jo would remain in his life. Would she also agree? It seemed there were difficult conversations to be had in the future, ones that he didn’t wish to think about, not yet. What-ifs would only spoil what they had.

"I…" Zach’s words caught in his throat. He wanted to reassure her, to tell her that he would be there in a heartbeat. If they didn’t have society to contend with, he knew in his heart that would be true. "I shall endeavor to reach you as soon as I am able." Which he knew could be any amount of time, but it was the best he could do in the situation. People would ask questions if he just disappeared, not to mention the delay writing letters caused.