Aurora waited until Elsie had left her a jug of water and a cup, and then ordered the girl away, giving her sufficient time to scoot out of earshot before answering the Young Wolf.  "My purpose is to spare myself the shame and embarrassment and pitying glances that will come my way from every man and woman of this caravan for the time it would take us to reach Father, and the time it would take for the trip back from Father to the Imperial City, where he will send me anyway after berating me for ruining a diplomatic marriage he had taken the trouble to arrange by having the audacity to be victim to Harrick's madness."