She stood and swayed a little, nigh unto swooning. Once she was steady on her feet, she moved to the sink and placed her trembling appendage beneath the cool running water. The relief was almost immediate, though one could see the welt forming. As close as she was, he might even see the remnants of the bruising on her throat from the assault at the library. She was trying very mightily to hold herself together, too, and that much was clear by the way she clenched her jaw and rolled her eyes upward, tears threatening to spill from her lashes.

"I am sorry," she said, voice ragged. She was desperately hungry, desperately tired, and desperate for this job so she could ease the former two things. Pippa took in a shuddering breath.