She cleared her throat. “I would appreciate it if you would behave with gentility and discretion. I may be a spinster, but I do have a reputation to protect.”

He sent a sideways glance in her direction. “I am considered something of a blackguard, I'm afraid.”

“I know.”

“Your reputation was probably shredded the moment I landed on top of you.”

“For heavens' sake, you fell out of a tree!”

“Yes, of course, but you did put your bare hands on my bare ankle.”

“It was for the noblest of reasons.”

“Frankly, I thought kissing you seemed rather noble, but you appeared to disagree.”

Her mouth settled into a grim line. “That is exactly the sort of flippant remark I am talking about. I know that I shouldn't, but I do care what people think of me, and I have to live here for the rest of my life.”

“Do you?” he asked. “How sad.”

“That isn't funny.”

“It wasn't meant to be.”

She sighed impatiently. “Contrive to behave yourself when we reach Bellfield. Please?”

He leaned on his stick and swept into a courtly bow. “I try never to disappoint a lady.”

“Will you stop!” she said, grabbing him by the elbow and pulling him upright. “You're going to knock yourself over.”

“Why, Miss Lyndon, I do believe you are beginning to care for me.”

Her answer was a marginally ladylike grunt. With fisted hands, she began to march toward town. Charles hobbled behind her, smiling all the way. She was walking much more quickly than he, however, and the space between them grew until he was forced to call out her name.

Ellie turned around.

Charles offered her what he hoped was an appealing smile. “I cannot keep up with you, I'm afraid.” He held out his hands in a gesture of supplication and then promptly lost his balance. Ellie rushed forward to straighten him.

“You are a walking disaster,” she muttered, keeping her hand on his elbow.

“A limping disaster,” he corrected. “And I cannot—” He lifted his free hand to his mouth to cover an inebriated burp. “I cannot limp quickly.”

She sighed. “Here. You can lean on my shoulder. Together we should be able to get you into town.”

Charles grinned and slid his arm over her shoulder. She was small, but she was a sturdy little thing, so he decided to test the waters by leaning on her a little more closely. She stiffened, then let out another loud sigh.

Slowly they moved toward town. Charles felt himself leaning on her more and more. Whether his incompetence was due to his sprain or his drunkenness he didn't know. She felt warm and strong and soft all at once next to him, and he didn't much care how he had gotten himself into this fix—he just resolved to enjoy it while it lasted. Each step pressed the side of her breast up against his ribs, and he was finding that to be a most pleasant sensation indeed.