[ that surprises him, very faintly; he hadn't expected her to take such offense. very intriguing, but not to be pushed. he concedes to step off; he is sure that she is another whose allies he doesn't care to trifle with at the moment. ] Courtesy has never been my strong suit. I knew that you would not care for what I told you, and I said as much. My intent was hardly to wound you. [ it's certainly false, but it's as close to an apology as she's getting. ]
Your enemy is this place— it is no home, but a place of duplicity and trickery. I suspect you found yourself affected yesterday, as well. [ he suspects more than that, of course, but it won't do to pry. ]