And yet she remains your wife regardless of her status and fortunes. [And he couldn't tell if that meant something to Richard with the way the younger man was turned away from him. Richard's body language remained very closed off, and he couldn't view his lover's expression either.] And family makes things such as these messy when they feel they have a stake.

[He noted that Richard didn't answer the question, nor rebutted the accurate statement that the younger man would most definitely walk away if the 'other' came to this place. It was inevitable, and he closed his blue eye as he reminded himself of that.] Then what is it?

[The question drew a low hum from his throat. Before he had come here in the early hours of the morning, he had asked himself that same question and parsed out an answer for himself. Would it satisfy? Did matter?] Because I was protecting you. Your secrets are yours to give when and to whom you wish to.