Her expression shifted then, as did her entire demeanor, lips curving into a frown as a cloud of hurt swept over her face. It was true Damen did not know Dutch as well as he knew some. But of the people he'd met in this strange city, Dutch he knew better than most.

And, in his memory, she'd never acted quite like this.

'I don't mean it as insult,' Damen said with some unease as he shifted his bags so he could lightly rest his hand on her arm. 'And you haven't been a bother. I'm not accustomed to you being quite so complimentary is all. Is it that you've only been holding back?'