Nate missed the honest exchange of knowing glances from the assembled staff, his attention entirely held by Miss Mason. There was the scraping and clinking of plates as the debris of dinner was removed. Nate had little notion that those who served him now would be the very same who would serve him once he had entered into an arrangement with Miss Mason. Apparently, the young woman had little inclination for matters spiritual. Saint Michael's C of E was just a few streets over, so that was as good as Saint Hilda's. It also had the added bonus of being a grander church and did not have an identical catholic twin thus erasing confusion. Three short weeks of public announcement to object to their union and that was all.

She was obviously eager to sign it, so led him off into the house to a location with an ample supply of pens and paper. The library to which he was led was magnificant, a bibliophile's dream. Countless coloured volumes, fixtures and fittings worn luxuriously smooth. With the effeciany of business, Miss Mason appeared to add her signature. She appeared to be a collector of implements and so Nate had many to choose from. Selecting the closest, Nate dipped the nib in the ink pot and added his own name to the document. There was no sense in wasting time.