"Do you truly believe the Academy would have stopped looking if you had accepted that man's hand?"
Elara's fingers tightened against the edge of the covered formation plate.
"That is a false choice," she said. "The alternatives were not accepting Gervase or allowing you to humiliate him before the entire Rotunda. I could have refused him without your intervention."
"You could have."
Lucavion's agreement came too readily. He remained seated across from her, one hand resting over his gathered notes, without the defensive tension she had expected after being accused of misjudging the consequences.
Elara waited, certain there would be more.
"If you had accepted," he continued, "Gervase would have acquired a recognized association with Elowyn Caerlin. Nothing binding, perhaps, but enough to approach again without appearing intrusive. Enough to offer assistance, introduce you to his acquaintances and ask questions about the household he intended to support."
