A Capable Woman

For a moment, Henry realized that he was imposing more than he meant to. 

Again, he was barreling forward without thinking about how someone else might be feeling. All he wanted to convey was that he would take care of one of his knights while she was injured. He was so grateful she had protected him while he was sleeping. 

He reeled at his own suggestion, wondering what Irene's response would be. She was someone with harsh boundaries and he was someone who overstepped without realizing.

He had presented himself as aloof before, he thought he probably ought to be that way again. 

To his surprise, she cracked a smile, though her eyebrows were raised in curiosity.

"It would certainly be helpful," she responded. "Though I have to wonder why a duke is good at braiding." 

Henry didn't realize until she turned with her back to him how strangely intimate it was to do someone else's hair.