She grimaces again, disliking the charity, but nods. It is done for her people and she now believes he would do the same for any on his lands, so she accepts. If it were done as an attempt to earn her favor, to her away her good opinion, she would refuse to permit it.

But he knows that, and they have struck a careful balance, with his courtship stating a separate thing from the duties of lord to tenant.

Too careful a balance, too easily overturned, and Haleth turns her thoughts elsewhere. "What do your people do at such times, when all is dark and cold?" she asks instead. "Have you any midwinter celebration of your own?"