Hidden Favor
“I am waiting,” Gawain said, trembling afresh, “for your answer.”
Bertilak draped the girdle aside casually, looking Gawain square in the eyes.
“I have given it,” he said steadily. “This pleases me, Gawain.”
The knight flinched at the sound of his name, though not in fear. His apprehension had begun to fade, drifting like smoke to the high-arched ceiling.
“Then you were not serious downstairs when—”
“I am rarely serious,” Bertilak said, and smiled.