The soldier-turned-noble looked a bit put-out by her question. With genuine kindness, however, he said, "You needn't ask my permission, now or after we're wed. That may not be the way society does it, but I'm not interested in having another damned servant."
Even though it was said with a smile and gentle tone, he realized his words sounded, likely, a bit harsh. He was grateful that the servants were kept in line by the butler and housekeeper, because if he had to deal with that adjustment too, he would have gone mad!
Taking her hand in his, he turned to face her. "I only mean," he added softly, hoping to make up for his rough speech and habit to speak his mind. "You're a person. There are things you like and, I'm sure, things you don't. You have your own dreams and your own thoughts. And I'm looking forward to learning all of those things about you, because I respect you as an individual. And I hope you'll learn to feel the same way about me." He bowed his head over her hand, then, placing a soft kiss upon the back of her hand.
Still half-bowed, he looked up at her with a boyish grin. "And, the answer to that depends on how much of a hole I've dug myself into." Audric laughed quietly. "I'm a very poor gentleman, I'm afraid."