He sat on the dressing stool that ran along the foot of her bed, dark circles under his eyes and a slightly wane look about him.  In truth his body had wanted nothing more than to find and collapse in his bed once he'd gotten free of that she-goblin.  His shoulder was sore and the mark of her teeth was still bloody there, as were the scratches on his back.  His dark clothing was loose and open about him and he slipped forward to drop to his knees and look down at her feet.  "I'm sorry."  Hours to think about how to explain and beg forgiveness fled at the sight of her, leaving him only the plain truth of those words.  "I disgraced you you at the Ball and allowed myself to be swayed.  I was becoming afraid some treachery had befallen you while I was so distracted."