"Time to think," he responded, irritated. He understood that she was disappointed in the way the conversation had progressed, but so was he. Or maybe disappointed was the wrong word, but certainly shocked. He hadn't thought this possibility through, and he couldn't think while she was here with her hand on his thigh.

At her unfinished question he nodded wearily. "Of course. If," he said, using the same one-word stand in for a possibility he didn't really want to voice. "We'll marry." Not the ideal way to start a relationship, especially given the conversation they'd just had, but Emrys' hands were tied. It took two to tango, but if she was in a delicate situation he assumed the lion's share of the blame. He ought to have known better, ought to have taken precautions. He had no intention of abandoning her after saddling her with his mistake. Even if the alternative was a marriage that would be unfulfilling and hollow for them both.

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