[ Why wouldn't he trust a woman he's just met in the marketplace to keep a potential proposal secret? She's perfectly trustworthy! There's no reason to doubt her, not with her big doe eyes and small stature. In fact, if Clive looked it up in a dictionary, he'd see a picture of Hilda right beside it.

...Which isn't entirely true depending on the person or the secret. But that's neither here nor there. Not when it's a proposal.

Clive's conviction would just about have her swooning. Everything Jill had told her in the Horizon tumbles through her brain, demolishing everything else in its path. Ah, but right. The ring itself. There's suddenly a buzz about Hilda, like the slight crackle of static in the air as she begins to fire off questions for him. ]

Do you have a preference for stones? Carats? Her hands are rather dainty, so I'm guessing nothing too large that would look cumbersome on her. By the way, do you know her ring size? If not I can ask her I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem if you think it's too obvious.

[ Sorry, Clive. ]