Maximilian's expression remained calm throughout the entire account, but Catherine knew him well enough to recognize the signs.
The stillness. The narrowed focus in his eyes. The way his fingers remained loosely interlocked despite the tension beneath the surface.
Anyone else might have thought he was taking the news well.
Catherine knew better. He was furious. Not the explosive kind of anger that demanded immediate action, but the dangerous kind of furious.
But in his fury, she felt safe. It was an odd contradictory feeling, but she felt surrounded by his love. When she finished speaking, silence settled between them.
Maximilian leaned back slightly. His gaze lowered as he considered everything she had told him. Then he reached across the space between them and took her hand.
"You did good."
The simple praise surprised her.
