Yeah absolutely, I agree that if Denna had not taken notice in some way of her and she would only be a random Sister, that Denna wouldn't care. (I totally thought about going into Denna's bad experience - imagining she would have had a bad one - it's funny that you say, that she had indeed a bad experience).
I'm stunned by your train of thought of Denna being so calculating.. It's not that I can't see it - no I totally agree, she would probably behave like that, but my I-love-her-so-much devoted clouded mind is not able to imagine her that cruel. I really do believe, that under that rock hard shell - she has feelings and I would go so far to say that she is showing them off even more than Cara. Richard's training, yes, and the scene in bloodline, after Kahlan beat her up and she is practically begging Richard to kill her - when that are not emotions on her face - I don't know what is.. Okay it might be anger and fury and desperation, but it's a start. A good one ;)

But I love rambling ;)

Haha :P *nods* No, of course you don't. The night after your first reply I lay awake and I've been thinking about it ever since.. - I already started writing.