"Joffrey," she said. Knowing the answer would be poor indeed, she rushed to explain the gritty details. "But he was ever in Lord Baelish's employ. First as a freerider, and now he...in the Vale, I fancy him my shield. He keeps me safe."

And it was true enough. He'd cracked down on Marillion, hadn't he? And yet Sansa knew that he would not protect her from anyone. Certainly, not his employer. That thought had crossed her mind more than once when hauled onto the Lord's lap. So she (fatiguing of the topic so quickly now) wrinkled her nose and moved on--

"It doesn't matter much. She'll not return his affections, I think. She loves another."