Grey shook his head and, wheezing gently, one hand to his bruised ribs, got awkwardly to his feet and hobbled to the wing chair. You could … have helped, he said to Fraser. Ye managed brawly on your own, Fraser assured him gravely, and to his mortification, Grey found that this word of praise gratified him exceedingly.
Grey struggled to stand up, clearly in pain as he held his ribs. He made his way to the wing chair, feeling a sense of defeat but still managing to speak to Fraser. In a moment of vulnerability, he expressed that help would have been appreciated. Meanwhile, Fraser responded with assurance, acknowledging Grey's strength in handling the situation alone.
This exchange brought an unexpected sense of pride to Grey, who felt uplifted by Fraser's praise despite his own discomfort. The approval was a rare highlight for him amid his struggles, highlighting the complex relationship between the two characters as they support each other in different ways.
