"...no, and my failure for not thinking of that." WHY did he say that, Mariona is not his -- this culture thinks very strongly that it is appropriate to say this even if, or especially if, Mariona / Merrin is his subordinate??
After another moment's thought, "I believe I have a capability that ought to prove fully able to rescue you if that is the case, however." Unless she's running on Negative energies now?? But no, that would just be stupid.