As she suggested a plot to meet in secrecy, his heart leapt for joy; she was willing to take great risks for him, and he would surely do the same. What their families did not know could not hurt them, after all. It would be perfect. Nothing could come between them, now, so long as they were careful.<br/><br/>In his jubilation, he squeezed her tight and brought her lips to his, planting a deep, heated kiss upon her; their first kiss of knowing betrayal of their families. The first true steps toward what their parents would consider the highest of treachery. With that kiss, too, was Claude's promise; she was only Miranda, and he was only Claude. No other names would matter.<br/><br/>As he kept their lips together, he muttered against them. "Our families will be reveling so long into the night that they will take no notice of our being missing. I... wish to watch the sun rise with you, Miranda."