"I'm sorry I don't remember," he told her, though he was still smiling. It widened when she said she was more happy to say yes than as a girl, expression showing a hint of surprise. "For a while there I wondered if you would ever want to say yes again."
Or any sort of kind word to him, in fact. She had been often abrasive toward him, so often criticising his actions, since his return. And yet no matter what she did, no matter what she said, he could never have stopped loving her as fiercely as he did. It was why, when he thought she was going to marry Gisborne, he had been ready to walk away from it all.
His expression softened when she kissed his fingers. He wanted so much more, in a way, and yet he was so intrigued by how much had changed, that he was letting her act first, letting her dictate what was done.
When she asked if that was why he chose her, he laughed. "One of a number of reasons so great I could not list them all, Marian." And he did not feel that was what she might call a silly line. Didn't feel it was an exaggeration. He loved her more than he could express, and so far had struggled to do just that. He had to, now. He couldn't not. Leaning forward, his hand went back to her cheek as he captured her mouth in a kiss.