Crow smiled as Penelope rested her head against him. Even though it hadn’t gone the way he’d expected, he found that he was enjoying their visit to her home quite a bit. He’d gotten to learn more about what she had been like as a child, and he’d even met a servant who had been an important part of her life. He was glad she had suggested the idea. Along with the fact that it was entertaining, finding out more about the knight made him feel closer to her.

It seemed they weren’t going to be sticking around for much longer though. When Penelope announced that they should keep moving, the viceroy let his arms fall from around her. As fun as it was to torment her with stories about her childhood, he knew there were other places she wanted to show him in Bellmare, so he didn’t complain. Instead, he stood aside as she said her goodbyes to Letitia, waiting so they could go to the marketplace.

As the servant turned to address him next, Crow grinned. “I don’t doubt it,” he chuckled as she patted his back. She certainly seemed protective enough to swat anyone she didn’t think was worthy of the knight’s affection. He was relieved she’d come around to see that he wasn’t the kind of man Edward had probably made him out to be. “Thank you,” he added with an appreciative nod when she offered to put in a good word for him with John. At this point, he was grateful for anything and anyone who might help him get on the stubborn knight’s good side. If she wanted to help with that, then he wouldn’t stop her.

Turning back to Penelope, he reached for her hand and gave it a gentle tug. “Come on, I’m ready to see the next thing you have planned for us,” he smiled eagerly, offering Letitia one more dip of his head in farewell before heading out of the house.

Once they were outside, he let go of her hand and drew his hood over his head again, just in case anyone else was around who might recognize him. “So,” he mused, casting the knight a sly smirk. “What’s a Scratch?”