[ She's no stranger to gossip herself, least of all at home; they've both acquired the ability to ignore it, whether by necessity or sheer disregard for the opinions of others. She knows she is regarded as a woman of mysterious habits, strange quirks, and she has grown accustomed to being viewed that way given what she knows of the world beyond their own, a world that few would be capable of truly understanding.

Out of all those in the room that evening, perhaps the two of them had always been meant to revolve into one another's orbit, if only for a short time.

The contract is one aspect among many that she will have to consider, even if her first instinct is to bristle at the concept. It's likely he senses that, himself. ]

Well, we should do our part and not try to unnecessarily shock and appall if we can avoid it. [ Her eyes narrow, almost playfully; she won't be able to reside more comfortably here until she can wear something other than that gown hanging in the wardrobe. ] He sounds quite respectable.