"Never possible," he countered -- and it seemed her honesty kindled a similar frank emotion in this otherwise enigmatic man. Before now, he had always pitched his reserve to match her own. But he quickly switched gears, mistaking her blunt affection as the passing of yet another courtship hurdle.

Even so, he stood stiffly amidst her furniture and her domestic touches. Palming his sword-belt in a nervous (and hardly threatening) fashion. And smiling, even if it was more so with his eyes than with his mouth.

"Bloody glad to see you..." He said in a rush, then regretted it. "Sorry, miss."