When she gave permission for the touch, he dared a gentle squeeze of her backside.  "I'll do my utmost to restrain my lusts, and have no doubt you'll remind me if I overstep them."  In truth, he'd try to behave now, with a gentle squeeze he made it quite clear he was ready and willing for more, but would stop pressuring."<br/><br/>He listened to her story and then a frown covered his face.  "I'm not surprised that the merchants were allied with house Dale.  I've found that these types that cleave to the church tend to run together.  I'm afraid I've already come down on the side of the line against the church and house Dale, and after tommorow night's grand ball at the palace, it will be made even more clear."<br/><br/>He dropped the mention, which would reinforce the fact that while he was treating her as an equal, he was nobility of a house affluent enough to be attending a grande ball.  He hoped this would not create a rift, but instead make her realize that he was a powerful man that treated her with respect as opposed to scorn or disdain.<br/><br/>"You may not want to associate with me after all if you're already on house Dale's map.  I can offer my allies help of course, but they wouldn't look favorably on you and I would hate to visit any further troubles upon you."<br/><br/><br/>Tehr had no plans to stay until midnight, but he'd stay as long as was polite, and as long as there might still be a chance that she'd change her mind about a first night romp.  He wasn't one to give up and the more she talked, the more chances he'd have.