Malachi was silent as he listened to her story, sipping at his brandy on occasion.

What a dreadful thing, that. The poor girl had not only been subjected to the humiliation of such rumors, but to the wrath of such a vile man as well. He hadn’t the first idea of what it was like for a woman, being on the other end of that – but he suspected it was far from pleasant.

“There is no need to apologize,” he assured, eyes darting to the glass in her hand for just a moment.

“I’m terribly sorry that that happened to you, and that any bit of it follows you now. I am… sorry, too, that this feels like the best option for you. Your first should be a pleasant, desired experience.”

He… wasn’t even sure if he could remember his. But it sounded right.