The very next day, a letter arrived for Clara. Not recognizing the penmanship, she took it upstairs to her room to read on her bed.

She flopped down on her belly and broke the seal.

My Dear Miss Wilson, it began....

Clara’s heart began to pound.

You must forgive me this indulgence, but I could not resist the inclination to write to you and tell you how thoroughly I enjoyed our discourse last evening at your sister’s assembly. I had considered calling on the duchess today, but decided against it, as I felt it was too much progress for a man like myself, in too short a time. I cannot, I’m afraid, delve into a complete recovery from my wicked ways and evolve overnight into a proper gentleman who pays calls to respectable young ladies, sipping tea in brightly lit drawing rooms.

Instead, I chose to write you a letter, where I would be free to say the things I would have wanted to say, had I been in your delightful, delectable company this afternoon.

Why am I writing this? you must be wondering. I am wondering that myself. I have no idea. As I mentioned last night, I am not presently seeking a wife and I usually confine myself to less perilous associations. Perhaps it is the French wine I am sipping. No, it is not. It is you. You enchant me.

Clara’s heart did a back flip inside her chest. A huge, goofy grin split her face. She rolled over and sat up, then walked to the window to read more.

I have no wish to spoil your chances of meeting the decent and respectable man you desire, yet I find I cannot sit idly back and accept that I will never see you again, or - forgive me for my plain manner of speaking - kiss you again. I could not stop looking at your lips last night. I wanted to find another dark staircase.

But I digress. As you see I am too frank for the society you accept as your own. If I were like other gentlemen, I would say goodbye to you now and wish you the best. But I have not behaved as a gentleman for many years, and I find myself plotting mischievous ways to kiss you again and satisfy my passions without causing too much damage in the process. Do you understand my meaning? Do you have any ideas?

Sincerely,

S.