Found:
Rowan arrived with a note from Woad. She wished to meet at the White Wolf, knowing that it is a place I used to spend my time and of my current difficulties with travel. Unnecessary, but kind. I could have gone further afield, it simply would have taken longer to do. Still, I cannot say that I am ungrateful for the thoughtfulness displayed, even if the continued focus upon my perceived weakness does irk me.
He asked that I ease her in gently. She wishes to become more sociable and I... I can be a lot to handle sometimes. My more boisterous and flirtatious tendencies can be a little overwhelming for those unused to such things. He didn't put it quite so bluntly, of course, but I know what he meant.
So, I was friendly and warm without being overly... me and things went well.
I like her. She's strong, skilled, capable, insightful and clearly no fool. She's honest, bluntly so, and endearingly awkward at times. That, of course, could simply have been the situation and the first meeting, but I get the impression that it is not out of the ordinary under normal circumstances.
We spoke at length and I can honestly say that I can see what he sees in her. She's sensible in a way that so many women are not. I like the way she thinks and, despite being a little unenlightened about the world and many of its ways regardless of how much she's travelled, she is far from stupid or ignorant. She is a woman I could respect.
In theory, that should make it much easier for me to walk away. He would be in good hands, with a woman well-suited to him. A woman he trusts. A woman with a strong and able body. I know he would be happy with her.
In practice, however... her kindness and encouragements, along with his, make it far more difficult than it should be.
I should never have let it go this far.
