(open)
Agravain is coming back from wasting the entire day with peregrine again. He doesn't spend much time with his wife; in general he only stays in their shared room when he's sleeping, and in the day he's out, riding or practising or in the mews.
Now he's wandering back to the Mansion, taking his time. He has, as Ragnelle once observed, a manner like a caged sullen animal when he's inside, or forced to endure normal human society. When he's out and about by himself, with the few animals he thinks are useful and worthwhile, there's something in him that is almost content. The streak of uncivilised wild thing in him is what makes him so unpleasant in company.
Which is really no excuse for the fact that he does take Laurel for absolute granted, and doesn't love her at all. But there you are.
Now he's wandering back to the Mansion, taking his time. He has, as Ragnelle once observed, a manner like a caged sullen animal when he's inside, or forced to endure normal human society. When he's out and about by himself, with the few animals he thinks are useful and worthwhile, there's something in him that is almost content. The streak of uncivilised wild thing in him is what makes him so unpleasant in company.
Which is really no excuse for the fact that he does take Laurel for absolute granted, and doesn't love her at all. But there you are.