He agreed with her about growing up on the estate. As a child he loved running in the fields, chasing squirrels and fox pups, and playing in the stream. He liked helping at harvest and walking the crops. He liked watching the yearlings play. 

Noting the dodge about dinner. He returned to it by saying, "So a farm hand said something to a maid, who said something to the cook, who said something to the steward, who said something to the Lady of the house, and the result is the dinner invitation. By now, she might have us married off in some secret wedding in town or something worse." 

He walked over to a shelf and picked up the knife he had made for her. The handle was bone wrapped in a tan leather. The blade was very strong but not brittle like most iron knives. There was a simple pattern of birds with a rising sun. The sun was in gold and the birds were in silver. Robert was pleased with his workmanship. Though he  knew that the knife wasn't perfect. He also knew that it was much better than being unarmed. He had a shortsword

"You may need this," he said as he presented her with the knife and a simple leather sheath bowing as he did. "The matron is going to inquire of your virtue and of my honor," he said sort of tongue and cheek in a tone that suggested that he was trying to be funny. "Or we can simply flee before they detain us," he said looking at her with a twinkle in his eye. "There is a meadow near the old saw mill that would be perfect for a picnic," he said. He walked over and pulled a picnic basket off a shelf. "We can figure out what to do next," semi-boldly including himself in the plan. He opened the basket, checked a bottle of wine that was inside, and put some cheese and bread in. "What is Lady Wren's choice?" he asked.