Her face lights up, and she nudges him in the shoulder. "You do care." Yes. That's what she's taking from that. "Albeit it a very egotistical manner. You might want to get that seen to, you know."

Marian is perfectly capable of being diplomatic when she wants to be. She just never wants to be.

"Give it time," she says easily, completely unconcerned with the fact that she knows so little about him. "Sooner or later, you all seek solace at my tender bosom."