Grey had not lied to Jethro when he said he was already at Marsel's place. He had not said it out of stubbornness or rebellion, and he certainly had not meant it as an act of defiance.
When he told Jethro that he couldn't come back, he meant it. He physically could have returned, of course, but he was already at the gate and he didn't see the reason to go back without what he had come for.
He also understood Jethro's reaction. Jethro wasn't accusing him of cheating or anything. The concern had been about Marsel.
But Grey told himself that lord Jethro had nothing to worry about, because Marsel was simply playful, teasing, and flirty... nothing that could threaten what he had with Jethro.
The man might toy with words or emotions, but he clearly didn't mean it, and Grey felt a quiet certainty in that.
The gate at Marsel's place opened as usual, the heavy iron bars parting slowly and smoothly as though they had been expecting him, and Grey drove in without hesitation.
