A/N: So, while preparing to write "A Lady Needn't Fear..." I was playing around with the characters while listening to music, when one of my favorite showtunes came on and I was inspired to write this.

Inspiration: "Sibella" from A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder - the shows have roughly the same setting

Anyways - enjoy and please review. I haven't written in ages and really want feedback!

He was smart

She was pretty

He was caring

She was vain

He was a bachelor

She was a bride

He was reserved

She was scandalous

He was wealthy

and now, so was She

"Darling, could you lace my corset for me?"

She asked him countless times, each driving him mad.

He did as instructed and took this opportunity to wrap his arms around her slim waist.

"Why do you do this to me?" Bert breathed, more as a thought he lost hold of, rather than a question.

"I haven't the faintest idea what you are talking about." came her reply as she turned toward him with a coquettish grin.

She was the picture of grace.

"'Ey! Dont' do this, Mary." there was an edge to his tone, but he couldn't help, but flash his lopsided smile in return.

His eyes were drinking her in. Every bit of her curves, the slenderness of her limbs, her icy yet inviting visage - everything. He couldn't get enough of the woman standing before him.

Her face began to soften as she noticed him staring. Bert felt a blush creep onto his face, but she looked at him as if to tell him to say what was on his mind, because she knew it had to be something about her.

He picked up on this. "Do you know what I see when I look at you? I see your perfect little nose which could never properly be captured by one of my drawings... And those luscious cherry red lips just daring me to crash mine to them, blissfully hazing my thoughts…"

She closed her eyes and let the corners of her mouth turn up, ever so slightly. She adored the flattery, especially from him.

When she reopened her eyes, he continued "I see two impossibly crystal blue eyes…"

His heart began to race as he looked deep into her soul.

"… but also filled to the brim with secrets... sorrows."

He was piercing into her soul (not that Bert would ever actually inflict harm upon anyone).

"And-" she silenced him with a kiss, realizing there is something she enjoys more than receiving compliments, even from him.

She pulled away, ever so slowly, taunting him until their eyes met again.

"And you know what I see."

Bert felt a blush return to his face. He began to shift uncomfortably, afraid of where this could be headed.

"You see the fate of a man who has had the misfortune to spend his life caught in you sway."

She let out an elegant giggle, melodic and laced with sin before pulling Bert in for another kiss that was as passionate as it was quick.

"I see a man who has had the misfortune to spend his life believing I don't love him."

"But you're married." Bert reasoned, his face reddening, not wanting to think about his Mary being with anyone else. He never felt guilty for what he dreamed of doing to the woman who was currently inches from his face. But admitting that she was a bride made the guilt feel all too real.

Mary lay a soft hand to his cheek, picking up on the turmoil happening in this thoughts.

She placed a soft kiss on his jaw. "But I still believe a wife who meets her obligations is allowed to have her fun." She winked as the last few words left her mouth.

That was enough talking for now…

If you're curious about the show, look up "Gentleman's Guide in 4 Minutes" on youtube - it's quite amusing!