"Tea and honeycakes," Aubin offered as he helped her into the carriage. "A friendly ear if you need someone to listen. Advice if you need help making a decision. Or silence and a meal, just so you don't have to eat alone, though I suggest you keep your meals light and bland for the next few days until your body is ready for a more substantial meal."
"The Church is not your enemy, Lady Jocelynn," he said solemnly. "But I cannot say it's been your friend either. I have no illusions or plans to befriend you for the Church's interests. Those will tend to themselves between your father and greater men than I. But I think that you, Lady Jocelynn, could very much use a friend right now, and so my door is always open to you."
