Lord Jethro held Grey's gaze for a long moment, as if he were trying to communicate something without words, an assurance, perhaps, or a silent plea for understanding.
Then he finally looked away and turned to Masha.
"You were right," Lord Jethro said at last.
His voice was low, barely above a whisper, yet it carried the weight of everything he had been holding back.
"I hesitated to speak earlier because I wanted Grey's approval before I could admit what seeing you again made me feel and realize." He paused briefly, as if gathering courage, then went on,
