A small laugh escaped Zinnia before she could help it, blue eyes finding Mr. Alderton’s. She returned his smile, amused at what he was saying. “I’m in good company then, Mr. Alderton,” she said, “Because trouble has an uncanny way of finding me, no matter how well I behave.” It was how she wound up pregnant before marriage, although amortentia was more to blame for that than she was.

Zinnia clasped her hands in front of her. “But if you insist on changing places, well, I’m afraid I already used up my quota of playing hero by saving you from the roses. I’m not very good at it.” As if summoned by her words,, a low-hanging branch snagged the edge of her sleeve as she stepped forward. Zinnia yelped, stumbling slightly. This would be her luck, wouldn’t it?

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Anthony Alderton

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