“Really, Tristan, you must see it would never work. I’m too outspoken, too independent. I like my own way, and would make a horrible wife for you.”

“I’ve had a horrible wife before, Elinor. I doubt you could match her.” His arm dropped from my waist, although he still stayed close. “Stubborn, Elinor. That’s the word you are looking for to describe yourself. Any other woman would be asking to set the date.”

“Have you ever thought about how much I would need to give up? My profession as a Ghost Talker? Coming and going as I pleased? Having my own friends, my money? Is it wrong for me to have my life the way I want it?”

“I do not see how these things would have to change if you wore my ring.”

“Oh, Tristan. Think!”

“This perfect life of yours? How do I fit into that? Or do I?” he said, cynically.

“Why is everything so complicated?” I cried, feeling tears spring to my eyes. “Why can’t we enjoy this? Whatever this is without the need for labels that society makes us use.”

“Because I love you, Elinor. I want you as my partner, helpmate, and lover. By my side, always. Not living at the Crown, seeing each other in passing. I want our lives to be one, not two.”

“As sweet as those words are, if we married, it would be I who would lose status. I’d be your second, lesser-than, easy-to-dispose-of-wife. If you ever took the fancy to get rid of me, the courts would not object.”

I only realized after the words left my mouth that he would take it to mean how had Minette died, but I couldn’t stop my misstep. My heart was beating like I had run a race. Things were crashing down and coming to an end.

“Or worse, you’d keep me, but take a mistress, a woman higher in rank.”

His features became set and remote. “So, how do you see this working? You prefer to be my mistress? All the money, but none of the grief?”

“No! I don’t want to be a mistress or wife. Only me! Only us. Right at this moment. Why can’t this be enough?” I begged.

It seemed he had no answer for me. Drawing back, he stood up.

“We best be going if we are to make the theater in time.”