Anne found herself again leaning in towards Aramis, drawn by the warmth of his body, her gaze falling to his mouth.

"I do not know what this place is, but I am grateful for its refuge," she murmured, but had only barely brushed her lips against his when she recalled their reason for coming upstairs and reared back again.

"Your gift," she reminded him, index finger held up begging him to wait, and then turned and hurried to a door across the room, skirts rustling as she went.

"I will be only be a moment," she said, and withdrew from her pocket a heavy key on a length of pale blue ribbon.