"In your own home?" Eli asked mildly – Victor's flinch was nearly imperceptible.

He rallied quickly, naturally. Victor never stayed down for long; it wasn't in his nature. "I just didn't want to disturb you."

"Trust me, I'm not an invalid." On some days, he felt his age. It wasn't that heavy a weight, and they were all years well lived. That was important, too. "I'd be happy to be introduced to one of your dates."

Victor sneered slightly. "Most of them are hardly worth meeting."

Eli bowed his head. "I'm sorry to hear that." Not his fault, then. Small comfort.