This was going better than he had anticipated. His date was smiling and he was no longer under pressure to force small talk and false compliments. It was easier to relax, to sit back with his wine on the balcony and not have to think about whether or not Amelia Rowe would make a good wife. When it was so blindingly obvious that no romance would happen between them, it was best not to pretend like it still could.
"Well the Statute is a hot topic these days. The Liberals have a few good points, but they fail to see the big picture. As a history student I suppose you know all about the complications surrounding the initiation of the Statute of Secrecy?" He knew his own family's part in it, but it wasn't common knowledge. Not to anyone who hadn't researched the topic thoroughly, anyhow.
He scoffed lightly at her comment on secrets. "Ms Rowe, what makes you think my secrets are vial?" he asked, sounding and looking serious right up until the moment he smiled, amused by her insinuation because it was completely true. "Alright, I promise."