She eyed him for a long moment. It was hard to trust someone with that part of her again. She had lain with a man whose love for the sea was far greater than any love he could give to a woman and a child. Perhaps there would be a day when he came back and sought his child, but she could not afford to wait for him to return from the call of the ocean. And the fact that he had tried to pawn her off to his partner without considering what she deserved, what the child deserved. Now she was gazing at a man who was willing to make that commitment knowing full well the child wasn't his because she would not entertain a marriage based on lies between them. It felt bad enough that she had to lie to society, that her baby would pay as much as she for being conceived in a coupling that should have never happened at all.

She took his hand even as he might be able to see the hesitation in her expression and in the way she finally did lift the appendage. Her eyes were apprehensive, and understandably so. She hoped he understood, anyway. Another deep breath in through the mouth later and she was on his arm and then she turned her gaze to him once more. Her expression was now solemn as she said, "Well then, let us learn about each other, and then plan this wedding."