If one were too be entirely honest, one had never bothered to explain that to a high status lady such as Sweetie. Though wouldn't that be true of any husband then? Wasn't that what courting was for....

Oh fuck, of course she forgot to clarify that part. Though it seemed utterly obvious on her end, he was quite dim.

"You truly do think me as a fool then. I'm not asking for you to run away to Gretna Green with me, you idiot. There would be a courtship. Time for me to find out as much as I can about who I am to marry. You'd be surprised what one could learn with connections and determination."

A broken courtship was far better than a broken engagement. Though perhaps not the best for her reputation, it was livable. "And on the other part... well, you underestimate me." She'd figure that out if she had to.