Her admonition to not worry didn't cause him to not worry. In fact, the entire he gripped her hand as she walked along the rail, he was far more nervous about it than he let on. And then, she she suddenly did lose her balance, he grabbed at her and the ended up a pile on the ground, her lips pressing to his next.

Once he was sure they were on the solid ground and not falling to the Thames, he glowered at her. "Hero or no, that was not smart!"

He was shifting her off himself and getting to his feet next while declaring himself fit and fine. It would take a lot more than a scrap of a girl falling on him to wound him. Much more, indeed. Now, both on their feet, he glanced at the time. "I should get you home," he said. "Mrs. LaRose will be expecting me to be home before midnight. What time shall I come get you tomorrow?"