Sansa tossed and turned that night. She couldn't stop thinking about the Hounds words. Did she really have feelings for Margaery? It was true she thought of her often. That she had fantasies of all the things they would do together, much like she had with Joffrey. It wasn't like she ever thought of Jeyne Poole with that sort of intensity. However, she only thought of doing things with her that one would do with their lady friends. Going to balls, having lunches, sharing dinners with their lord husbands...though she of course never imagined Joffrey to be there. Just Margaery and Loras. And mostly she did think about Margaery. How she would look. What kind of dresses she would wear. The smiles and whispered confidences between them. These were normal, not anything inappropriate.
But suddenly she began thinking of Margaery planting little kisses on her. On her cheek, her mouth, her neck, her forehead. As she did she felt herself growing quite hot. It wasn't quite embarrassment, but something more intense. Like the feelings she had for Joffrey before she realized how cruel he was only...deeper. Sansa tried to think of something else, anything. But her mind still went to Margaery and wondering how it would feel to kiss her.
It was so frustrating, being unable to think of anything but Margaery. Especially now since such filthy thoughts had been put into her head. She tried to get to sleep but it took a long time. When she finally did, she dreamt of roses and kisses and brown hair.
"Sansa, your barely touching your food today. Is aught wrong?" Margaery asked, the next day at lunch.
"No, my lady...I am simply not very hungry today." Sansa said. Which was true, but concealed the most important information.
"You seem to have something on your mind." Margaery said.
"Y-yes, my lady I suppose I do." Sansa said.
"Well, then confide. As your friend, I think it is only proper." Margaery said.
"Well...I have heard some rumors." Sansa said. The words just sorta spilled out.
"Rumors?" Margaery asked.
"Yes." Sansa said.
"What kind of rumors?" Margaery said, her full attention was on Sansa, and she nearly withered under that kind yet interrogating gaze.
"Rumors about ladies..." Sansa paused. How did she bring up such matters? Her cheeks were already burning from embarrassment.
"Ladies, yes?" Margaery said.
"Ladies who...enjoy the company of other ladies. More than that of men." Sansa said.
"I belive I know that of which you speak." Margaery said, prompting Sansa to continue.
"Th-that's inappropriate is it not?" Sansa asked.
"It is not." Margaery responded.
"B-but it's abnormal." Sansa said.
"Maybe to some. But to others, it is perfectly natural." Margaery said.
"Th-the Septons...they speak ill of it." Sansa said.
"Maybe here in King's Landing. Or north in Winterfell. In the Reach and Dorne they sing a different tune. There nothing is wrong with boys bedding boys or girls bedding girls. Although scions of noble houses must do there duty and carry on their family lineage through marrying the opposite sex. Many like both equally." Margaery explained.
"I see...so it's not wrong?" Sansa asked. At this Margaery leaned in closer and put a hand on top of Sansa's. Stroking it a bit with her thumb.
"Of course not Sansa. There is many wonderful things two girls can do with one another. Ask a trusted handmaiden, and she could show you." Margaery said.
Sansa did not know how to reply to this. She opened her mouth then closed it. Started and stopped. Sansa was utterly out of her depth here. At last Margaery withdrew herself from Sansa and stood up.
"Now then, we should get going. King Joffrey will be expecting us at court." Margaery said and walked away.
And Sansa was still unable to resist taking a lingering glance at her retreating form.
Sansa went to the godswood and prayed. She felt at peace at the godswood. It was one of the few places she did. Where she could get some deal of privacy and comfort.
"Praying to the seven or to the gods of your lord father?" A voice said, breaking through the silence.
"L-Lord Baelish? I've never seen you here before." Sansa said.
"I don't often visit. I'm an exceedingly busy man. But I was informed that you were here and I was hoping I might have a discussion with you alone." Littlefinger said, walking up to Sansa and taking a seat beside her.
"What is it that you want?" Sansa said.
"Your close friends with Margaery Tyrell are you not?" Littlefinger asked.
"She is an exceedingly kind person, who has taken sympathy on me despite the crimes of my family." Sansa said.
"I understand completely. However, some might not. Some might think the relationship between the two of you verges on improper." Littlefinger said.
"Th-that's not true. Margaery would never- there's nothing-" Sansa said.
"Sh. Sh. I understand. It's all lies of course. Still, I think the two of you should take proper precautions." Littlefinger said.
"You want to split us up?" Sansa said.
"Only for a brief time. Once Joff and Margaery marry, those vicious rumors will lose much of their force. Especially if the King works to silence critics of his and his wife's marriage. Just try to keep contact minimal for the next couple of weeks." Littlefinger said.
"Bu-but she's all I have." Sansa said, on the verge of tears. Littlefinger stroked her hair reassuringly.
"It's fine, my dear Sansa. You don't have to do it. I just worry about the two of you, that's all. Your mother was very dear to me, and I wouldn't want anything to happen to her daughter or her best friend." Littlefinger said.
"Just think about it." Littlefinger said, and then he took his leave.
Sansa cried and prayed in the Godswood for much of the afternoon.