I only want to take it off to get you to put something else on, though, that hardly counts. If it was something decent - lilac velvet with lace at the cuffs and a French frilled cravat, say, that might be different. Something difficult to get off: I like the challenge.

[He brushes a hand idly down Merlin's lapels on the next turn. It's fine enough fabric if dowdy for the modern (regency) taste. And, of course, he doesn't actually care in the least what jacket Merlin is wearing (so long as it's not sackcloth), it's far more done for the excuse to touch. He really is tall and doesn't wear it terribly well, but when he relaxes there's the distinct impression that he could.]

But what if something terrible were to happen to this coat? You couldn't return it then.