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She actually took a step back "Never h his boot, presu Honoria scooted around so that she could see his face She tried to discern the extent of his pain by his expression, but it was difficult He looked so at the edge of his temper that one really couldn’t tell much beyond that

Men were so ridiculous that way She realized that it was her fault that he’d twisted his ankle, and she understood that he was going to be at least a little bit irritated with her, but still, it was obvious he was going to need her help He didn’t look able to come to his feet on his own, much less walk all the way back to Fens sensibly, he would realize this and allow her to come to his aid sooner rather than later But no, he needed to snap about like a wounded tiger, as if that e of the situation

"Ehr the right thingCan I help you in any way, or would it just be best forpause, and then he said, "Will you please help me remove my boot?"

"Of course!" She rushed over "Here, let o, when she was a little girl aiding her father, but not since, and certainly not with aon top of her two minutes earlier

She felt her face burn Where on earth had that thought just come from? It had been an accident And this was Marcus She needed to remember this Marcus This was only Marcus

She sat opposite hirasped the boot with one hand at the back of the ankle and the other on the sole "Are you ready?"

He nodded grimly

She pulled with the ankle hand and pushed with the other, but Marcus let out such a cry of pain that she dropped his foot inize her own voice She sounded terrified

"Just try again," he said gruffly

"Are you certain? Because – "

"Just do it," he ground out

"Very well" She took up his foot again, grit her teeth, and pulled Hard Marcus did not cry out this ti an awful noise, the sort an animal made before it was put down Finally, when it was more than Honoria could bear, she let up "I don’t think this is working" She looked back at hiain," he said "These boots are always difficult to remove"

"Like this?" she asked, in coarht" She tried again, with the sa to have to cut it off when you get home"

A flicker of pain crossed his face

"It’s only a boot," she murmured sympathetically