She handed him the cane, and then, very carefully, asked, “May I accompany you to the door?”

“It’s not necessary,” he said brusquely.

“For you, perhaps,” she shot back.

That seemed to pique his curiosity. One of his brows rose in question, and Sarah said, “I believe you are aware that I have been tasked with your welfare.”

“You should really stop flattering me, Lady Sarah. It will go to my head.”

“I will not shirk my duty.”

He looked at her for a long moment, then sent a pointed glance toward the twenty or so wedding guests who were currently dancing.

Sarah took a steadying breath, trying not to rise to his bait. She probably shouldn’t have abandoned him at the table, but she had been feeling merry, and she liked to dance. Surely Honoria hadn’t meant that she must remain at his side for every moment of the wedding. Besides, there had been several other people left at the table when she’d got up. And she’d come back when she’d realized he’d been all alone with only Frances for company.

Although truth be told, he did seem to prefer Frances.

“It is strange,” he murmured, “being a young woman’s duty. I can’t say I have ever before had the pleasure.”

“I made a promise to my cousin,” Sarah said in a tight voice. To say nothing of Iris and her judgmental ways. “As a gentleman, you should allow me to at least attempt to fulfill that promise.”

“Very well,” he said, and his voice was not angry. Nor was it resigned, or amused, or anything she could discern. He held out his arm, as any gentleman would, but she hesitated. Was she supposed to take it? Would it set him off balance?

“You won’t knock me over,” he said.

She took his arm.

He tilted his head toward hers. “Unless, of course, you push.”

She felt herself flush.

“Oh, come now, Lady Sarah,” he said, looking down at her with a condescending expression. “Surely you can take a joke. Especially when it’s at my expense.”

Sarah forced her lips into a tight smile.

Lord Hugh chuckled, and they headed for the door, making faster progress than she would have expected. His limp was pronounced, but he had clearly figured out how best to compensate for it. He must have had to relearn how to walk, she realized with amazement. It would have taken months, maybe years.

And it would have been painful.