"Of course." Honest, blunt. He contemplates her with a raised brow. "Would you not be protective of your child? But he might have deserved it. I was not there to see, to judge. I am simply glad he did not hit back." Ned pauses to touch her chin, very gently, before releasing both gaze and touch.
She eats like a guttersnipe. And licks like a champion. He, frankly, looks away. Not needing reminders of the last time he was in here. The last time he'd had such attentions on him rather than a bowl.
"Why cannot you learn here?" Ned finally has a reason to turn back. He frowns. "What is stopping you? You can make money. You can be a fine lady, as fine as you want. Why do you need Robb or any man? Whatever you believe in - gods, fate, your own making - has given you this situation. You should not waste it. I will not. My life is extended beyond what it would ever be at home. And yours."
He hands Eponine a napkin. "Let us take full advantage of it."
no subject
She eats like a guttersnipe. And licks like a champion. He, frankly, looks away. Not needing reminders of the last time he was in here. The last time he'd had such attentions on him rather than a bowl.
"Why cannot you learn here?" Ned finally has a reason to turn back. He frowns. "What is stopping you? You can make money. You can be a fine lady, as fine as you want. Why do you need Robb or any man? Whatever you believe in - gods, fate, your own making - has given you this situation. You should not waste it. I will not. My life is extended beyond what it would ever be at home. And yours."
He hands Eponine a napkin. "Let us take full advantage of it."