With a searching look, he studied her with a clenched jaw. He didn't want to return to that life, and he certainly didn't want to drag her into it with him. But then again, he didn't want to be here at all. All of that given the consideration it was due, it was entirely beside the point. This wasn't about what he wanted, but about what needed to be done to protect her.

"I'll wait three or four days before contacting her to give the appearance that I've been making inquiries after this incident - attempting to find whoever may have activated it, you understand. You'll have time to change your mind."

Plans within plans. His mind was already on his next move - contacting the few people he knew and asking them to pass along the rumour that he was looking for Narcissa. It wouldn't do to have her think that he had been hiding from her. No, his best option was to suggest he had only just arrived, had been unaware that there were others until the Mark burned.