One thing Amelia wasn't , was a blabbermouth, so why she had confined in Ellison about her open marriage to Phillipe, was still a mystery to her. It had been during a drink with soldiers, after a day of work, so alcohol was definitely a factor to consider. Perhaps she had just felt that Ellison was like minded. They had gotten to know each other s little bit over the last few weeks, and sometimes you just felt it. The connection, that little more. And all of this had led her to very openly admit to Ellison that Philippe and her had some sort of arrangement. Imagine her surprise when Ellison told her she had a similar arrangement with her husband. It had been exciting, to say the least.

And now, it was dinner for four. Ellison and Benedict had invited her and Phillipe over to get to know them a little better. She had told Philippe about Ellison, their developing friendship and the fact that she and Benedict had a similar story as them. Judging by the sparkle in her eyes when she spoke about Ellison, her husband would be able to realise she was happy to have found another couple. So yes, Amelia was very excited about the evening, but on the carriage ride over to the estate, she couldn't help but look over at Philippe every now and then to see how he looked. He had agreed to come, but Amelia still didn't know how much of him agreeing to an open marriage had been to please her, and how much of it had been to please himself. She would squeeze his hand. "If you feel uncomfortable and want to talk to me, or leave, ask me about my knee injury, okay?" She wasn't injured, but she would know he wanted to sidetrack for a moment.

Once they arrived at the estate, she would get out of the carriage and approach the front door with Philippe. Before knocking, she would press a kiss on his cheek and smile. "Thank you."

Then she knocked.

Of course he had known when agreeing to an open marriage that there would be occasions where they met others with similar preferences, so naturally they would find themselves invited to get to know them. Was he completely comfortable with everything? Well… he would know once they got there he supposed. But he would do his best to be charming and encouraging for Amelia’s sake. She had clearly been so excited to have made this connection with Ellison, and he wouldn’t be the cause of her not getting the opportunity to explore any of her interests.

In things or people.

While he hadn’t intended to, he had been rather quiet for the ride over. But he tried to offer reassuring smiles to dear Amelia anytime he caught her looking at him. Her words made him raise a brow, he pulled her hand up to give it a soft kiss. “I promise to let you know if I would like to leave, but I don’t want you worrying about me tonight. I want you to enjoy this dinner and getting to know Ellison and Benedict.” He gave her his most charming smile, and even humored her with a wink. This woman deserved to have anything she wanted in life, and Philippe would always be there to encourage her.

After helping her from the carriage and approaching the door, he couldn’t help but smile at the kiss she placed on his cheek. “Anything for you, my Love.”