He would never have said he loved her had she not first, as she thought, found it out; to tell her the truth then would have been brutal.

He had made believe in order that she might remain happy.
Was it even make-belief?
Assuredly he did love her in his own way, in the only way he was capable of.

She was far more to him than any other person except Elspeth.

He delighted in her, and would have fought till he dropped rather than let any human being injure her.

All his feelings for her were pure.